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OCTOBER, 1935.
MATILDA.
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October, 1935.
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Volume XII.
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PoMed.
f-lA'1' l' 111H YR, frolll 10 n.lII . to 1 p.lI1 . f-lingl l' Copies, Gtl. endl.
OCTOBER, 1935.
Number F'o ur.
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The Experts. Why they do not always help us; wbat w", can do to help ourselves. Give us something that we can pass on to our Guides! This is the cry that is raised whenever natural history is .,giscussed. We can find facts, but they are useless to interest the children, and we do not know enough about them to talk about them and make them interesting. This ofte.n happens because those who know very much about the subject have the background into which the facts can fit, and do not realise that it is lacking to the ordinary inaividual who is beginning to seek for understanding. We are told that the correct way to make a collection is to gather a specimen, dry it, label it, and put beside it the placE: where it was found, and the date. I confess it seems to me a most boring process. The fact that I found a spider orchid at Ringwood on Octcher 16th, 1934. does not seem to me to be interesting IN ITSELF. And neither it is. It is interesting to botanists because they are studying the distribution of the plants, the seasons at which they are seen, and the different soils in which they grow. They have great charts of the places where plants have been found up to th 2 present, and the range of soil in which any special plant has been known to grow. If a hll.!nbler collector sends on a fact to them they can fit it in to the scheme, the soil of the new locality may be different from that in which the plant is usually found, and then they will watch to see if, ov·e r several seasons, or perhaps suddenly, the plant adapts itself to a damper 01' dryer area. In I-l dryer area, for instanc.e, plants may develop narrower leaves to lessen the area of evaporation of moisture. Then if It nlant is spreading ot.her collectors may find that the insect that fertilises thl' plant or the bird that carries the seed may be spreading too, and we should like to know whether the nlant or the insect was the first to travel. You may see now why naming plants is so important. but if we do not realise the big schemes of discovery into which slngle fact~. mav fit Wp are left trackless in a world that is Just millions ;lnd mi1lions of things, one after another, and we do not know where to start or how to thi.llk about the things we find when we have started.
I have tried to state why we do not always find the help we need from the people who know the most. My admiration for the Guider is unbounded, but I am taking an AWFUL EXAMPLE from even its pages because it may be familiar to many guiders. The woodcraft pages do sometimes .emphasise naming, when we want to know what the plants are DOING? and WHY? The recent article on grasses was concerned almost solely with identifying. One paragraph described a structure called the awn, which is attached to the seed box of all grasses. It said: The awn may be as long as one inch or may b.e scarcely seen, it may be sharp or rasping, and it is a feature by which grasses are identified. That, in substance, was all. But what is the Awn? I read about it in three books before I could nnd out. This iil what I found. The Awn iil the feet, the spade, the sail of the plant. The grass seed falls among thickly growing grasses where a new plant would have no room to develop. The Awn walks with it, to an empty space. Have you not seen thick patches of grass, and in muddy spaces beyond a plant growing here and there? As the awn is alternately damped by dew or r.ain and dried by sun, it curls and uncurls, and as it does so it crawls along the ground and pulls the seed with it all through the maze o)f olner plants. When it gets to the open, and feels bare earth, its rough ~urface catches in the soft mud, and it bores a hole and buries the seed in the ground, so that it can find food and will be safe from birds and caterpillars. If the sood falls into a pool of water on its journey, the awn, being lighte.r than the seed, sticks. up in the air, and is a sail for the wind to waft gently across to firm land. Now · we are told that some grasses have very short awns; indeed, that they are hardly seen; but if a grass seed needs fe.et and spade and a sail. what do the grasses with small awns do? N ow we can understand wh¥ the awn is an important structure in describing grasses, because the way in which the plant arranges for the seed to be distributed is one of the most important and most varied processes in the history of any plant. What is it for, and why is it there? These are the ouestions we need to hav.e answered. First Studies in Plant Life in Australia, by Mr. Gillies; The Story of the Plants. by Grant Allen; and Botanic Teachings by Baron Von
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MATILDA
Mueller, are three books that give this point df view, but I needed all of them to write what I have written here. Ask why, be sure that Life is pulsing, activ¡e, and has a purpose constantly in every Eving thing, and if we cannot answer all the questions of our guides, we have taken a wonderful step forward if they are asking, because they know that there must be a meaning, and they mean to fin~ it out. G. H. SWINBURNE. t ,
RECOMMENDED BOOKS. The publication of "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" has been the most important event in the world of books for some time. This great work by Lawrence of Arabia has been acclaimed by all leaders of thought. "Perfume from Provence" is a charming book in which Lady Fortescue, the author, writes an entertaining tale of the building of her French home. The book is beautifully produced, with sketches by E. H. Shepherd, and it can be heartily recommended. Other books that can be recommended' for good read ing are "Blood Relations," by Philip Gibbs; ' "The House of the Four Winds," by John Buchan and a beautifully written but poignant sto~y by Constance Holme called "Beautiful End." Some mention must be made also of John Lane's Penguin books. These are reprints of well known books, and, despite the fact that they cost only 9d./ they are attractivel.y bound with stiff paper covers, have very faIr paper and print. The first se~ includes "Poet's Pu~," by Eric Linklater; "Ariel," by Andre MaurOls; "William," by E. H. Young; "The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club," by Dorothy Sayers, and "Gone to Earth," by Mary Webb. Let us hope that the publisher can continue suoh a good work. MARGERY HERRING The Chaucer Library and Book Shop, Melbourne.
Dear Matilda, While I was visiting the Clunes Division rec!'ntly on Guide business, I was very interested in a relic which is owned by Mrs. Bool, the Lieutenant of 1st Clunes Company. ~he was a Guider in Nottingliam years ago, and still has in her possession, though rather moth-eaten now, a small Badge whiC!h used to be worn in Guide uniform. It is red cloth about 2 inches long and H inches wide, with the date "1917" embroitlered in yellow, surmounted by a Crown in the same colo.ur. Mrs. Bool tbinks this was not a War SerVIce Badge, but a kind of "Service star." I am wondering whether any of your readers can tell me anythinr; further about this interesting badge? I know Mrs. Bool would also be interested. Best wishes from F. V. BARFUS.
October, 1935.
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Nature's Alphabet. A for the ants which are everywhere found; They carry their food to their store underground; Blackfellows' bread-a strange fungus we found, It looks like a damper, and grows underground. C the cocoon of the casemoth one sees, Made of sticks and attached so it sways in the breeze. Dragonflies feed upon flies and on bees; They are frequently seen near water and trees. E is for eel, found in creek, pond or lake; But for its fins it would look like a snake F for the sly fox, which kills chicks, lambs and rabbits; He has tawny brown fur, and very sly habits. G is for gum-tree, with blossom, and bower, Where the honey-bee sucks from every flower. Herons utter harsh cries as they fly on their way, But they visit the same pool the same • time each day. I is for iris, the "Flag," you remember, The mauve one blossoms from May to September. Jay is a bird-black and white, I confessMimics a cat or a dog in distress. K is for our "Kook," with its beak strong and long, Its music is more a laugh than a song. L is for lambs, in paddocks they play, And skip and run races each bright !lunny day. M for mushrooms, which in Autumn appear, Underground they lie dormant the rest of the year. N for narcissi-the gay daffodil, It brightens OUIl' gardens when winte~' winds chill. o for opossums-fur grey and eyes bright-They r est in the day-feed and frolic at night. P is for parrots, the bright birds one sees, Sucking the honey from flowering gumtrees. Q is for quail, which nests on the ground; Its young ones are striped, and hard to be found. R is for rabbit, who a tunnel doth form, And plucks fur from her breast to keep her babes warm. S stands for spiders, of kinds not a few, In the morning their webs just sl>arkle with dew. T for tomato which cannot stand frQst,
October, 1935.
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MATILI)A
When the cold weather comes the whole crop is lost. U is the umbrella flow er which shuts like an umbrella, It opens out in sunshine, but folds in cloudy weather. V is for violet, whose blue flowers are seen; The ones that bear seeds are small, hidden and green. W for wag-tail, of black and white hue, His whistle says clearly "I'm pleased to see you." X is for Xmas lily, which flowers once a year, And that is to tell uS when Xmas is near. Y is for Yucca, the grass tree of our land, It grows strong and sturdy on poorest of sand. Z is for Zinnia, the hardy "Old Maid," It holds its flowers stiffly and looks prim and staid. 1st MONIVAE GUIDES. Excellent work, Guides. Your verse is on the whole very good, and your nature knowledge splendid. Observations such as those for Q and V are good examples of 2nd class test work. This Company sent two entrieseach beautifully arranged-with a well drawn illustration for each couplet-a Company possession of which to be proud. There have been many entries and judging has been most difficult. I have chosen some of the best bits from different compositions. The owners will probably recognise them. Two very nice thoughts are as follows : Q stands for the little quail That runs along the ground; Some mention 'o f this little bird In God's good Book is found. Y is for violets, which you must keep In the open, else their fragrance will sleep. G is for gum-tree, that grows big and old, To shelter all creatures from wet and from cold. F'omowing are lines indw;ating deep-and interesting-research! U is for Upas, This tree in Java grows ; Its juice will poison arrow heads, Too well the native knows. J is for Jackarandah, an Australian tree. X is for Xphias, a fish of the seas. I stands for the Ilex, It's soinething like a goat; It lives among the mountains high, And wears a shaggy coat. I is for iris, of beautiful form, A bud in the evening, a bloom in the morn. L is: for limpet, whose home's in the sea, X for the Xylocarp, whose hard woody fruit Is not often seen and does not us suit! Two entries have recognised the stars as part of Nature, with the observation : U is for Uranus, a far-distant orb. Is this a Nature observation-or not? X is for X-rays that cure many ills. Surprising is the statement: L is for lyre-bird, Blue, green and yellow!! Naive! X is for Xyris, a tropical flower, Of which we know nothing except that it's yellow.
Good advice: R is the rhinoceros, all very fine and large, Do not hesitate and wait should he make a charge. Sa.d experience: Q is the quince which little boys steal And when they have eaten, they very sick feel. A knowledge of mythology: U's the ramping Unicorn, who against the lion did fight; It was a crown they fought for-and who was in the right? Desperation evidently produced the following lines: X does not appear to stand For a living creature's name, So if we omit it We should not be to blame! Z is for Zead, a troublesome word, Which is neither flOw.eT, nor insect, nor beast, nor bird. [Have you enjoyed your work, Guides? I think you have--Nature is FUN, you know, and full of thrills. Send me more stories, either in prose or verse.]
BROWNIE COMPETITION. Brown Owls, "Matilda's" competition is fo:' your Packs this month. Will you arrange a Beauty Quest amongst your Brownies? Sort out the results, send me the best ones during the first week of November, and let us see which 'Brownie can find the most beautiful thing in Victoria. Don't let your Pack be out of it, Brown Owl.
QUERIES. 1st Cohuna-Lack of space has prevented the story of your spider being printed. Watch "Matilda" neXIt month. 1st Hamilton-Your question about cranes will also be answered later.
30th TRAINING WEEK. Guiders at the Training Week were splendidly Nature-minded. The grounds of Morongo are full of terasure-trove-flowers, trees, insects, birds innumerable. Every morning Colours were held with the orchestral accompaniment of thrushes, cuckoos -the fan-tailed and pallid-wagtails, magpies and many other beauties. During the Week one patrol counted twenty different birds. In the orchard was found a dea.th's he[ld spider. This ' curiQv,s creature makes s,everal egg cocoons, remaining with them, legs curled under her, and a "skull and crossbones" effe(, j on her back. Both she and cocoons are bJack and white. and appear to be a collection of bird droppings. She .is quite harmless. "Woolly Bear" caterpillars were found in the grass. J have several in a box, eating grass vigorously and await events with great interest. Thesa caterpillars, thou~h beautiful, are a pest. Lastly, a beautIful Australian Admiral bu tterfly was seen. Not a bad record for busy people! M.H .
MA'l'lL1>A
October, 1935.
Editor: Marion Sinclair.
THINGS TO DO WITH THE COMPANY BEFORE CAMPING. "The perfect camp should send a Guide back to her ordinary life physically fitter, ment~lly more alert, morally strengthened, practIcally more useful, spiritually more alive \~ith a veritable sanctuary of happy memo~ nes." In the case of Guides going to camp for the first time, quite a lot of useful groundworK can be accomplished in the Company meetings beforehand. What aboutI.-Practice in tent pitching on Captain's back lawn on Saturday afternoons; 2.-Company meetings run on the lines of a Camp programme, such as: 7.30-Reveille. 7.40-Stalking Game. 7.50-Patrol Time (on outdoor subject). 8.10-Game-Observation. 8.20-Group Time-the Art of Gadget Making. 8.40-Sing Song-Camp Songs. 9.00-Dismiss. For "RevE'ille, each Guide removes hat, belt, tie, shoes., and goes to sleep in patrol corner. Lights are put out and when all is quiet "Reveille" whistle is blown and Pat.rols are allowed three minutes to be dressed ready for inspection. For "Sing Song," lights out, with electric torch under pile of orange paper in the centre of circle. It is a good idea for Guides to learn some new, bright songs so that they can exchange them, perhaps, with other companies they may meet round the Camp-'fire Sing-Songs. 3.-Prepare a Log Book, so that it can bc written up each day in camp. It is much more interesting than one written up several weeks after Camp is over. 4.-Q.M. will bless the Guide who has made oven cloths or saucepan holders, which she pre!?ents on her first day in camp. 5.-Guides can collect some marmite jars, lacquer them in a .bright color, make small holes, to be used as salt and pepper shakers. G.- What about making some hessian bath mats? The younger Guides enjoy binding
the edges with strong, bright binding. 7.-Kerosene cases can be saved. Once again Q.M. will bless the Guides who have any. These have many uses. 8.-1t is a good idea to keep a look-out for b?ards to cover trenches, and one or two pIeces of galvanised iron to cover or screen the cocking trench is always a help.
Jack and Jill. A Short Dramatic Sketch, introducing First Aid. Dramatis Personre: Mother. Jack. Jill. An Old Man. Two Guides. (A snake and another Guide could be introduced for Snakebite and Treatment, aftel Jill has fallen down, if wished.) Scene I.-Kitchen. Mother stacking cups, etc., in preparation for washing up. Jack and Jill flipping each other with dish towels, and generally making merry. JACK-See how near I can flip to that teacup without touching it. (He tries.) JILL-Now me. (Just as Mother turns, Jill flips her by mistake). MOTHER-Oh, children! Do play outside until I am ready for you in here! There won't be a decent piece of crockery left soon. I know what you can do; the bucket's empty! Just run up the hill, both of you, to the well, and fill it. It won't be heavy if there are the two of you to carry it. She picks up bucket and hands it to them.) JACK-Right you are! (Throws his towel to Jill. who throws both of them on a chair, and prepares to follow him. He goes out "'lith a flourish, carrying bucket.) JILL-(Hugging Mother hastily en route).Good-bye! (Departs with a hop, skip and jump.) Scene 2-At the Well. A hill can be imagined. Old Man hobbling up with stick and bucket. OLD MAN (putting down bucket and sitting on well): Ah-h-h! That's a long pull for old bones! None of us gets any younger! (Puffs loudly and mops forehead. Continu('s grunting for a while.) Deary me, well now, I suppose I bad better fill the bucket for the old woman. (Drops bucket down, on
bctober, 1935.
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MATILDA
rope.) Heave-ho! (Weakly, with many gasps, hauls it to the top. Spills half out.) No good a-tryin' to carry the lot. Can't expect a full bucket with only old bones to tetch and carry for her. Weil, well, off we go! Dodders round well, to be met by Jack and Jill, rushing up the hill. They bump into him and upset both him and the bucket. They stand horrified for a second or two, then Jack seizes bucket. JACK: Golly! Come away, quick! (He rushes down hill, followed by .Till! Haif way down thl'V trip and roll :0 the bottvm.) Scene" 6-A few seconds' silence, while they realise where they are. Jack sits up and moans, holding his head. .TiI; mows and yelis, "Oh, my ankle!" She also screams. JACK: Oh, dry up, for goooness sake! If you were me, you'd have something to yell o.bout. JILL: Oh, my foot is hurt. (Continues howling). Enter two Guides. lst GUIDE: Gracious, what a noise~ I won't say, about nothing, for something does seem to have happened; but can't either of you take a little hurt without bawling about it·? Let me see where you are injured. (She feels Jill's leg.) Sprained ankle, I'm afraid. (Proceeds with treatment.) Jack groans, to attract attention. 2nd Guide goes over to him. Old man comes hobbling down hill, waving bucket, shaking stick and roaring threats. Jill screams again and points at him. JACK: Oh! I'm off! (Tries to rise, but 2nd Guide holds him firmly.) 2nd GUIDE (giving him clean handkerchief) : Hold this to the cut while I see what this old man's trouble is. (Aside, to 1st Guide): Can you manage the children? Ring Pad, T think. There's gravel in that cut, and goodness knows what else. 1st Guide nods, still tying up Jill's foot. 2nd GUIDE (to Old Man): Now, whatever is it? Can I help? OLD MAN: Those young wretches-those vilIians-just let me catch them. (Shakes stick.) Ah-h-h-! (Roars with rage and shakes off 2nd Guide's hand.) 2nd GUIDE: Do you want some water? (Picks up bucket.) OLD MAN (attention arrested): Er-r, water '! Yes, myoId woman will be wanting it. Oh, those young varmints!! (He turns again.) 2nd GUIDE: Is that your wife over there, looking for you? OLD MAN-Eh? Where? Oh! (Calls quaveringly) Coming, Maggie, coming! (Gropes for bucket and turns away). 2nd GUIDE: I've got the bucket. Come on! They disappear off stage. 2nd Guide returns promptly. 1st GUIDE: Now, Jack, you will be quite all right, and can go along home, and te!l Mother, without frightening her, that we are bringing Jill. She is not at all badly hurt.
...,
JACK: Yes, thank you. (Nervously): Where is the old man? . 2nd GUIDE: He has gone home. Dld.yo?u say you were sorry you'd bumped hIm. H e seems awfully cross! . , JACK (shamefaced): N-no, we dldn t, really. We just ran . Whatever 'will he do, d'you think? h' 2nd GUIDE: If you go straightaway .to .I.S cottage after seeing your ¥other,. It w1l1 be all right. He says he WIll forgIve you, if you go. JACK: I say, you hav~ been decent to us. JILL: Yes! Thank you very much. GUIDES: Oh, that's all right. 1st GUIDE: You provided us with a good accident for practising First Aid. Hop along, Jack. We ought to get Jill home as soon as possible, to fix that foot. Jack goes off. Guides pick up Jill on three-handed seat, and carry her off. M.S.
"GIPTON" CAMP SITE, FRANKSTON The guide camp site at "Gipton," Frankston, was presented to the Guide Movement III 1933 by Mr. Simpson who was then Mayor of Hawthorn. It consists of an acre of ground on which stands a cottage and shed. "Gipton" is one mile inland from the Frankston Beach, situated in open, heathy country, very suitable for guide activities. Work parties of Rangers have spent many week-ends there lately, cutting the grass and generally making the place rE'ady for guide occupation. . "Gipton" is now available for GUIde and Ranger camps and week-ends. Tents, groundsheets, palliasses and kitchen equipment lI;re stored there, sufficient for a party of 12. GUIders holding the Indoor Camp Certificate may take their Guides or Rangers providing there is an experienced camper (Ranger or Guider) in the party who would thoroughly understanJ tenting-pitching, striking and storing, wet or dry-owing to the water supply depending on rainfall it will not be possible for large purties to go in the summer season for any length of time. A fee ·of 1/ - per camper is charged for week-ends, and 3 /- for a week, and there is a 5ma)) charge for fuel and sanitary arrangements and for hire of palliasses and straw. These fees are in addition to the ordinary camp registration fee. Guides visiting "Gipton" for the day are charged 1d. a head. Guiders who are proposing to take parties to "Gipton" should apply on the special form which may be obtained at Headquarters. Miss Barfus has charge of booking the site. Chairman, "Gipton" sub-committee. CLAIRE BROADHURST,
"When WP. find that people no longer Qu estion or cr iticise we shall know that we have ceased to put into the life of to-day anything that is not there already." ("The Guider.")
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MATILDA
October, 1935.
"Only the actions of the just smell sweet, and blossom in their dust." (J. Shirley)
A BROWNIE DEED. Margaret Stephens, 9, came running into the bedroom to find the curtains of the old-fashioned bed on which her sister Marian, aged 2, was lying ill, enveloped in flames. Calling for her mother, who at first did not hear, for she was serving in the shop in front, she quickly ~nd carefully wrapped the little girl in a blanket and put her on the floor-in safety. Getting a billy of water, she endeavoured to quell the flames. By the time her mother arrived, she had put the fire out. The baby was unharmed, but Margaret's hair was singed. The curtains, the wooden panelling at the back of the bed, and the mattress were burnt. A small brother who had been amusing the baby had left a candle burning by the bed. Marga!'et is a Brownie in the 1st Armadale Pack, and they may well be proud of her. N.T.
Some Ceremonies. A SERVICE STAR CEREMONY. B.O. finds some daisies, marguerites or any flower which is a good shape to pin a service star in the centre, without being too conspicuous, and arranges a big bunch around the Totem. The Brownies are in Fairy Ring. B.O. tells them there are some Brownies who have been doing good turns to make other people happy for a whole year. The Fairy Folk have heard of this, and have sent something bright and shining for them to wear on their pockets. Brownies search among the flowers until they find a star, which they bring to B.O., who pins it on. M.K.B. GOLDEN BAR CEREMONY. B.O. first tells the Brownies the story of the Golden Ground from the Brown Book for Brown Owls, then she says: "I wonder if any of my Brownies have been walking over the Golden ground? All have a look at your heels, and see who has." (Earlier in the meeting B.O. or T.O. should have put some spots of gold paint on the heels of the Brownies who are to receive their Golden Bars.) The Brownies who find gold on their shoes are called into the centre of the ring.
B.O.: "You know that a Golden Bar Brownie stands fi r m with two feet planted on golden ground and two hands ready to lend?" BROWNIES: "Yes." B.O.: "Will you always do this?" BROWNIES: "Yes." B.O. then pins the Golden Bar on. M.E.H. POW-WOW CEREMONY. Tune: Brownie Song. Brownies in their Six homes, B.O. in the Pow-wow ring. B.O. "Pow-wow time now, Brownies oh, Come from your homes all on tip-toe." Brownies come creeping in, singing softly: "To Pow-wow ring at Brown Owl's call, Come Elves and Fairies, Brownies all. Weare ready to listen to you, Tell us now what Woe must do." (Sit.) T.E.N. FLYING-UP CEREMONY. Brownies asleep in a circle around the Totem as close together as possible. B.O.: "Wake up, little Brownie things, for today one of you must say goodbye and fly onward into the great Guide World, which is waiting to be explored." Brownies all wake up, except Sixer of Sprites who is flying up. n.o.: "Sprites, awake your Sixer and bring her to me." Sprites bring Sixer to B.O. B.O.: "You have won your Brownie wings and you will always wear them to remind you of your Brownie days. You have the best wishes of the Pack, so fly om'vards to the great Guide world that lies before you." B.O. gives Brownie her wings, shakes hands and salutes her, the Brownie then shhkes hands and salutes al1 the other Brownies. When she comes back to B.O., they go out of the door together after the Pack has given the Brownie the Grand Howl. R.L.S.
THE TULIPS. There was once a widow of Tavistock who loved her flower garden very dearly because, you see, it was all she had to love. One yeaT. she planted rows of tulips; she watered them carefully and took great care that no snails or slugs had any chance to eat them-because, you know, it is rather painful to be eaten. In
October, 1935.
MATILDA
the spring time the buds grew tall and strong, and they spread out their leaves that had been sheltering them and the sun shone on their lovely petals so that they all burst open, a row of feathery golden ones dancing in the sunlight and streaky brown ones that looked a3 though the earth still clung to them; pink ones which had caught and held the light of dawn in their petals, and brightest of all, the scarlet ones, standing stiffly like sentinels on duty. When the widow saw them, she gasped with pleasure, but she was not the first to delight in them, for already the fairies had found the lovely flowers, as they rocked gently in the breeze. "Oh, what lovely cradles for our babies!" they cried. Everyone wondered why the widow's tulips kept blooming long after all the tulips in other gardens had died; they did not know it was fairy magic that was keeping the flowers alive. And the fairies rocked their babies there until the roses were ready to hold them. Before they left, they decided to repay the widow. That evening as she was sitting in the afterglow of sunset time, suddenly she saw a fairy perched on her knee. Then she felt another at her side, and one on her shoulder, and she felt herserf being gently led to the tulip bed. She peeped into the flower cups, and in each she saw a tiny baby. The Fairy Queen came to her and said: "All these weeks we have used your tulips as our cradles, and now we wish to repay you. We will grant you one wish." "Your Majesty," said the widow, "all these years I have been longing for a baby to love and cuddle, for I am very lonely." "What you ask is difficult," said the Fairy, "but now return to your house. We will see what we can do." And she blew some sleep dust into the widow's eyes. The Fairy Queen herself went to visit her friends, the star fairies. For you know the star fairies find homes for little childTen, and send them down to earth on a shooting star. They told the Fairy Queen they could find a soul if she had a baby ready for it, so she hastened down to earth again. She called a:l her fairies tog.e ther, and with great magic, they found the baby. They gathered the colour from the golden tulips for its hair, from the brown tulips for its eyes; the pink tulips coloured its rosy cheeks, and the red ones were placed on its smiling lips. Next morning the fairies had flown away and the tulips were faded, but on her doorstep the widow found the baby she had wanted for so long. M.H.J.
TWO GAMES ON RECRUIT WORK. (1) Tune: Mulberry Bush. Brownies, standing in a circle. take off belts, badges, etc. B.O. and T.O. sing: "Oh, who is ready for Brownie land, Brownie land, Brownie land, Oh, who is ready for Brownie land, on fine . . .... afternoon?" Brownies (beginning to fold ties): "This is the way we fold our ties, fold our fold our ties,
tie.;. for this ties,
9
This is the way we fold OUT ties on this fine ..... . afternoon." 2nd verse : "This is the way we tie our ties, etc." (tie ties) 3rd verse: "This is the way we clean our shoes, etc." (rub shoes). 4th verse: "This is the way we polish our belts, etc." (polish belts). 5th verse: "This is the way we clean our badge," etc. (Polish badges). 6th verse: "Now we are ready for Brownieland, for Brownieland, for Brownieland, Now we are ready for Brownieland on this fine .. . . .. . . ... afternoon." (Skip round circle during last verse.) 2. Tawny is a beautiful Princess with plaits (raffia or wool). At her christening, a bad fairy said that if ever her hair was unplaited she would fall asleep. She, of course, could never do it herself, and so had a . maid. The Princess slept while her maid plaited her hair, but as soon as it was done, she awokp. One day she went for a walk in the forest. It was very enchanting, and she went on and on. But, alas, a great storm arose, and in the wind and rain her hair came unplaited and she fell asleep. Just then a giant (P.L.) came by, saw the Princess, picked her up and took her to his cave. As he was taking her along, som~: of the Princess' servants who were looking for her, saw him, but were afraid. The giant then had his dinner and immediately after. went to sleep. Now was the chance of the servants-if only they could creep up, plait the Princess's hair and thus wake her, they could creep away to safety! The servants (Brownies) try one by one to creep up and plait the Princess's hair. If they are heard, the giant casts a spell on them which can only be broken by someon e tying a reef knot or saying the Brownie Law to the Keeper of Spells (B.O .). If the servants cannot be saved, then the Keeper of Spells casts a spell over the Giant, mag icing him into Packleader and loosens the spells on the servants changing them into Brownies. L.T.
MONTHL Y LECTURETTE. On August 7th a very interesting talk on Brownie games in relation to health was give n by Miss Kyra Smith. She first took five headings: Breathing, Exercise, Balance or co-ordination, Mental Alertness and Posture. Sh0 described how each should be looked for and corrected in Brownie Games. After this she showed us differ\!nt exercise games to give Brownies. Several health games were then played, and the evening closed as usual with supper. It is regretted that there were not more Guiders as those present enjoyed a very interesting evening. M.E.H. The next special Guiders' evening will bo! held on Wednesday, October 2nd, in the Meeting Pool at H.Q. This.will be the last even~ng for ~he year, and a very enjoyable evening IS promIsed. The usual charge of 3d. will be made, and suppeT will be serve~.
MATILDA
1f)
October, 1935.
Lyre Birds. Nocturnal Animals at their Nocturnal Habits. SECOND WARNING. UNIQUE. NOT TO BE MISSED.
A NEW GUIDE COMPANY. On Thursday, August 29th, Miss Alisor. Campbell, Commissioner for Extensions, enrolled ] 3 of the 15 Guides who form the new Co. at the Deaf and Dumb Institute. Two had already been enrolled in January as Post Guides. Mrs. C. Bennett, Dist. Com. for Prahran, was present, and also Mr. McCaskill, Supt. and Sec. of the Institute. 1st Armadale Co.'s Lieutenant, was there, with a Colour Party, and their flag and the Extension Branch's own flag was also used. After the enrolments the Guides were given a party.
A MESSAGE TO ALL GUIDERS. When Miss Alison Campbell enrolled the Guides of the new Extension Co. just formed at the Deaf and Dumb Institute (you will see an account of it in the Extension Notes), she told them that all Guides were their friends. Mr. McCaskill, the Supt. and Sec. of the Institute, said that the establishment of a Girl Guide Co. would give the girls other avenue s of mingling with the hearing community. These children will be going out amongst the "hearing community" eager to talk and mix with ordinary Guides, and to hear all thfl.t open Companies do. It will be a terrible. blow to them if they can't understand the others or bl': themselves understood, so Guiders, do please get your Companies to do the "Interpreter to the Deaf" badge in the new P.O.&R. They will get lots of fun out of doing it, and will also be preparing themselves to "Be Prepared." Even if just one Ranger and Guide in every Co. did it, it would be a great thing, anti these new enthusiastic Guides wouldn't need t o be afraid of not being able to make themselves understood.
If any of your Companies are a bit hazy as to what the Extension Branch is and does, and you'd like to know mor¡e about it, ring up or write to Miss Peters, 5 Gordon Grove, South Yarra, S.E.l, and she will arrange for someone to go to one of your meetings to tell you about it. Perhaps some of your Rangers 01' Guides would like to become Extension helpers or Gl,lidersl
Mr. R. Littlejohns will give an iIIustrated lecture on the birds and animals of Australia, with his moving films and original flashlight slides of night time in the bush. HAWTHORN TOWN HALL. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22nd, at 8 p.m. Admission 1/-. Guides and Scouts in Uniform 6d. Proceeds for the Local Associations of Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. You may book your seat for 6d. extra. G. H. SWINBURNE.
Equipment Depot. BROWNIE HATS. At the last meeting of the executive it was decided that Brownies could wear the Linen Hats as an alternative to the Rush Hats which are now worn. And it was decided that all the Pack was to wear the same sort of Hat. These linen hats are now stocked at Guide Shop, and will be sold at 2/3 plus 1/- postage, in sizes ranging from 20in., 22in. We have endeavoured to give the brim of these hats enough stiffening to make them stand laundering and to keep a good appealance. They wiII naturally shrink a little, so when making an order it would be wiser to make allowance for this. GUIDE BELTS. We have made arrangements for re-Ieathering of Guide Belts. If you wish to put new leather into your Belt, you will send to us, naming the size required, and these will range from 26 to 34in. This new leather will be a better quality than now supplied in Guide Belts, and it will be complete, so that it is just a matter of inserting the rivets, which will be supplied also, into holes which have already been made by the manufacturer. The only thing you have to do is to take the old leather off your buckle and the side ovals, and place this new leather around and fasten them with these rivets. We are able to supply this new leather for the price of 1 / 3 plus 3d. postage, and the price will be the same for Guide and Guider3' belts, but Guiders must bear in mind that they will need the extra help of the local boo:maker, who will do the stitching for them. We see so many shabby Belts, so we arc expecting a large response to this arrangement. BROWNIE BELTS. When the present stock of Brownie Belts is ~old . we will be stocking Brownie Belts in two ~izes-28 and 30-so when making your order will you please state which size is required. The new Belts will be a much better qualitv and will give much longer wear and they wil1 ]w sold at the same price.
i1
October,-29_3_5_,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ M_A T I L D A
,Bargains! FIRST AID SUPPLIES for your next Camp. Calamine Lotion-best for sunburn, and to prevent it, 3d. per bottle. Picric Acid Solution-best for burns, 3d. bot. Lanoline Cream, for chaps, sunburn, etc., Id. per tube. Boroglyceride, for chaps, sunburn, etc., Id . per jar. Proceeds for CAMP HOUSE FUNDS. F. V. BARFUS.
Camping. Combined Ranger Camp--A Camp for Rangers will be held from 27th December, 1935, to 3rd January, 1936, inclusive, at Mornington. Guider in Charge: Miss Daisy McKinnon. Fee 22/6. Concession fares will be available. Applications (not more than six from ont' Company) accompanied by a deposit of 5/per Camper, should reach the Camping Secretary at the Guide Office, 60 Market Street, Melbourne, C.1, not later than 14th October, 1935, accompanied by written permission from the District Commissioner. Not more than one Guider from each Company may be included in the application. Combint>d Guide Camp.-A Camp for Guides whose Captains are not qualified Campers will be held from 14th to 21st January, 1936, inclusive, at Mornington. Fee 22/6 per Camper. Applications (not more than six from one Company) accompanied by a deposit of 5/- per Camper should reach the Camping Secretary at the Guide Office, 60 Market Street, Melbourne, C.1, not later than 14th October, 1935, and should be accompanied by written permission from the District Commissioner. Not more than one Guider from each Company may be included in the application. A Camp for Patrol Leaders will be held at Mornington from 14th to 21st January, 1936, inclusive. Fee, 22/6 per camper. This Camp is for Patrol Leaders who are not more than 15 years old, a!ld have gained the Second Class Badge. Applications should be sent in order of preference, as it may not be possible to accept all, and exact age should be stated. Applications, accompanied by 5/- deposit for each Camper, should reach the Camping Secr~tary, Girl Guide Office, 60 Market Street, Melbourne, C.1, not later than 14th October, 1935. and should be accompanied by written pE:l'mission from the District Commissioner. A Campcraft Week for' Guiders will be held at Mornington from 6th to 14th January, 1936, inclusive. The Week is open to any Guiders who wish to attend for gen~ral Campcraft training. Fee 35/-. Railway concessions will be available. Applications, accompanied by a deposit of 5/ -, should be made in writIng to the Camping Secretary, at the Guide Office, by 8th November, 1936, and the envelope should be marked "CAMPCRAFT WEEK."
Deposits will not be refunded unless wit}!d1'awal of application is made a fortnight before the beginning of the Camp. Guid('rs are advised that, as Training Camp life is strenuous, they should not apply if unable to take part in Camp routine. A limited number of Guiders will be tt'sted for the Camper's Licence and Quartermaster Certificate, on the recommendation of the DIStrict Commissioner. Guiders taking these Tests will need to attend the Camp from the evening of 3rd January till 16th January, inclusive, in o,.der to have the necessary training in pitching and striking camp. E. H. PURNELL, Commissioner for Camping.
TO THE GUIDERS OF THE 30th TRAINING WEEK. Thank you ever so much for your gift to the Guide House Fund. It was a very nice thought, and we were so pleased to receive the amount of ÂŁ3/6 / 1 which you sent by Miss Hoffmeyer. We do appreciate this very much. M. E. BUSH, Commissioner for Training.
TRAINING. Guiders who have not previously attended a Training Course at Headqual¡ters must bring to the first Class of any Course a Nomination Form, signed by their Commissioner. Unless otherwise announced, all Training Courses are held at the Guide Office, 60 M.a rket Street, Melbourne, at 7.45 p.m. Brownie Training. The last Course for the year will begin on THURSDAY, 3rd OCTOBER, 1935. Guider in Charge: Miss E. L. Lardner, assisted by Miss D. Holtz. Guide Training. The last Course of General Training for the year began on Monday, 23rd September, 1935. Guider in Charge: Miss D. S. J. Thewlis. Training Week. If applications warrant it a Training Week for Guiders and pl'ospective Guiders (over 18 years of age) will be held from 27th December, 1935, to 4th January, 1936, inclusive. The fee will be 30 / -. The place will be announced later. The W.eek will be for General Guide and Brownie training. Guider in Charge: Miss M. E. Bush, Brownie Trainer, Miss E. Lardner. Applications, accompanied by a deposit of 5 / -, should reach the Training Secretary at the Guide Office not later than 15th November. Deposits will not be refunded unless withdrawal is made a fortnight before the beginning of the Week. When applying, will Guiders please state whether they wish to take Brownie or Guide training, and whether they have attended a Training Week before? M. E. BUSH, Commissioner for Training. During October, while Miss Barfus is in Westoern Australia, all cOI1respond/ence concerning the Training Department should be sent direct to Miss Bush, 251 View Street, Bendigo. S.H.I.
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.::1::.2_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _--=.M=A:...T::....:.I.::L:...:D:-....:..A=---_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _October, 1935. Miss Margery Herring (first Commissioner for Training in Victoria), has given to the Association several very interesting Jubilee Books, some of these having been placed in the Library at Headquarters, while the others are to be the property of the Training Department for use at Training Weeks, etc. We would like to thank Miss Herring very much indeed for her kind thought. S.H.I.
MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. A lIlE'etiu/'( of the Executive Committee of the Girl Guilh'" AHsoeiation in Victoria was held at the Guide Offil'e Oil tbe ~lHt of August. PreM'nt-Lady l'hullvel . ~lrs. Littlejohn, Mrs. Tatl'. :'lrs. Faulkncr. ~Irs. Broadhurst. :'1iss Cameron . ;\Iiss Swinburne, the Secretary. League of Youth. ·it was rE'ported that ~liss JolI~' had 3g-reed to represent tile Association on tbE' Governing Council of the League of Youth of
Al1~trRlill,
Guide House -It was reported that the Guide Honse l~und amollntl'<l to £2987/ 6/ 2, and that £2500 haa been placea on fixE'!l deposit for one year. It wa~ It,:rrE'E'd that ;\[rs. Euan Littlejohn be organis"r of the Gllirle HousE' fuud. state COUDcil- -It wa~ agreNl tbat ~Irs. Harold BrookE'~ be :1skl'll to b(' u membt'l' of the State Council. -Fl.'deral CounciL- It was reported that there wou Ie' not be a me<>ttng of the l.'ederal Council in Ill:!;;. Th ...\lpeting Pool ·-It "'DS agreE'!l that cupboards b(> bnilt. outsicl(> blinds be tlttE'd to windows, and tbat th(> Room be painted cream and green. ('amping.-It was ngrE'ed that ;\I!AR E. Morau be A""'"tant Commissioner of Campin,:r. A l'epOl't was rE'~e"'E'cl from sub -Committee. ('ommis"ioners' ('onf"rcnce--lt was reported Ibat the ('ommls.ioners' ('onference was to be h.,ld fr"Dl 17th 20tb ReptembN at tbe Red Bluff Hotel, B1al~k Hoek.
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Brownie Hats.-It W<lS ugreed that linen hats be stocked at the Equipmeut Depot and that the wearing of linen or straw batH be optional, provided the wbole Pack wear hats of similar material. Routine and finc.1ne!al business was discussed. S, H. IRVING, State Secretary. APPOINTl\lENTS. Di.trict OommissionerRichmond and East Melbourne;\1vs. R. T. Robinson, PasadnA, 517 St. Kildn Rd., S.C.!!. Sklpton-~Ir". Ewan ~la('kiJlnon, Langi Will!, Skipton. WARRANTS. Brown Owl2nd Call1fil'lll- ;)liss A. Ruthpl'!ord 2nd East ~Jal\-E'rn -;\1!ss O. Crawley 3rd Norlh('(Jte--~[jss E. \Vall Tawny Owl5th Brighton-lIliss E. Gal!' 1st Rl. Kil<ln-:\Uss E. Bi c kNS {'al,talnIs t Bnll'llsd a Ie--,liss .T ex 1st Mount JiJ,elyn-:\1iss A . Falkingharu RanKer ('''!ltnin1st Port. Fairr-Mrs . .Jack Golc1ie 1.t l'allourn-~lrs. Graham (,ANCELLED WARRANT. Lieutenant, 1st Linton-Wss Murrell RESIGNATIONS. Lleutenant1st Colbinabbin- -;)Iiss L. Gamble Acting ('aptain1st Kerang-;\1iss M. ;)1. Deakin 1st Toorak-;)fi.s .T. Mltcb<>l1 1st "[ortlake-~Iiss .To~'~e .Tones CHANGE OF ADDRESS. 9th Hawthorn-~1iss I. Watson to 1 Charles St., .Jolimont. Richmonll and East :\Ielbolll'lle--Mlss E. Cribb to 10 Wangaratta St., E.1.
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