WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 197, 3 June 1946, Page 4

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

MID-CANTERBURY FEDERATION ; SCHOOL FOR OFFICERS There was a good attendance at a meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Federation of Women’s ‘lnstitutes in the Catholic Club rooms. The president (Mrs J. McQuilkin) presided. Mrs D. Shaw was the accompanist for the singing of the Institute Song. Mrs D. Chambers read the aspirations. Voluntary organisers, group conveners, members of the executive and officers from 20 of the institutes in ' Mid-Canterbury took part in a school for officers. Mrs McQuilkin welcomed all members and Mrs A. H. Sandrey spoke on the duties of presidents and vice-pre-sidents. She- also appealed for articles of X interest for the monthly journal, /of which Mrs Sandrey is editor. 1 Mrs R. Pearce spoke on the planning of a programme for the year, giving some helpful ideas and urging the formation of circles for gardening, dressmaking, and arts and crafts. Mrs Chambers spoke on the duties of a secretary, and Mrs Chisnall spoke at length of the duties of a treasurer, and all felt that much assistance had been given to new officers by all the speakers. The institute jounial, “Home and Country,” was the subject of a talk by Mrs McQuilkin, who also spoke about the collection of fat. Ashburton district, Hampstead* and Allenton institute members had helped wonderfully in looking after the depot for the collection. Special thanks were due to Mrs E. Loftus and her willing band of helpers. The morning session concluded with a competition, won by Mesdames A. H. Sandrey and L. S. Morgan. Mrs Shaw was pianist. Members were entertained at lunch provided by the executive and the afternoon meeting opened with a talk Vv on circles by Mrs McQuilkin. A circle is a group of women’s institute members who meet for the study of any special subject, such as singing, drama, gardening etc., she said. Keen interest was being shown in the. classes for drama now being conducted in Mid-Canterbury with the co-ordin-ating committee by Mrs R. Rutherford, Mention was made of the flower show to be held later in the year. The delegates for the conference to be held in Wellington on July 24, 25 find 26 were present at the meeting, and so had the opportunity of hearing the remits discussed fully. Mrs Chisnall spoke on the Associated Country Women of the World, explaing the working of this organisation on.-which New Zealand has representation. This was founded in 1934 by Lady Aberdeen, and first met in Sweden and invited representatives of rural women’s; organisations: in all countries to meet and discuss their problems. New Zealand was represented by Miss Jeroirie Spencer, who was then in England. The delegates went back to their own countries and invited their national organisations to become .members. It was hoped to hold a meeting in London as soon as possible and New Zealand Women’s Institutes would be represented there. At a meeting of the executive later *it was decided that fat which had been collected at the depot in East Street be handed to the Famine Emergency Relief Committee. The treasurer (Miss Lill) reported that the finance was in a satisfactory position. It was reported that a group meeting at Rakaia had been succesful.