WOMEN'S DIVISION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 257, 11 August 1934, Page 6

WOMEN'S DIVISION.

CELEBRATION IN ASHBURTON. THE FIFTH BIRTHDAY PARTY. The Ashburton branch of the Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union celebrated its fifth birthday with a party last evening. There was an attendance of more than 130 guests, including representatives of kindred institutions. Mrs F. Curtis (president of the Ashburton District Women's Institute) lit the candles on the birthday cake, and on behalf of the institute, congratulated the division. She referred to the rapid expansion of the movement. She said the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) had-,recently spoken of the amalgamation of the Women's Institute and the Women's Division movements, and she expressed the opinion that it would probably be only a matter of time until these organisations were celebrating their birthdays together. * Mrs E. M. Begg (president of the Ashburton branch of the division), cut the cake. She referred to the success of the house-keeping scheme. Last year there had been 20 housekeepers in the district, and there were three working at present. Congratulations were conveyed by Mrs Penney on behalf of the MitchamRokeby branch, Mr R. Jamison (Winchmore), Mrs J. Jacob (Lismore), Mrs F. Johnson (president of the Mid-Canterbury provincial executive) and the Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods) on behalf of the borough. Mr Woods spoke appreciatively of the excellent work tho division was carrying out in the community. Songs wero sung by Misses M. Brown, W. Bruce and E. Holland, and Mr M. McMillan. Mr J. Mcmillan was the accompanist. Cards and dancing completed the programme, the music for the dancing being supplied by Mrs A. Mitchell's ' orchestra.