A NEW HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 249, 21 October 1935, Page 11

A NEW HOME.

TITIRANGI INSTITUTE. AN AUSPICIOUS OPENING. Brilliant sunshine and a fresh breeze provided an auspicious atmosphere for an enjoyable function held at Titirangi on Saturday afternoon. The occasion was the opening of the Titirangi Women's Institute rooms—a building which has been erected by the efforts of the women members themselves, and reflects their co-operation and spirit of determination. Most of the actual building has been done by husbands of members, and the cost of furnishing has been met by a eeries of functions and by individual donations.

Set in a background of flowering teatree, the- attractive building presented a gala appearance on Saturday, with its lavish decorations of multi-coloured flags. A large and representative gathering of residents of Titirangi and visitors had assembled, among the visitors being members of sister institutes and members of the Auckland Institute centre.

In expressing her gratification at the completion of their work, Mrs. H. G. Rennie, president of the Titirangi Women's Institute, spoke of the immense debt of gratitude the institute owed to their vice-president, Mrs. J. Macandrew, for her generous gift of the acre of land on which the building stands, and to Mr. Macandrew for advancing the money for building materials. After presenting, Mrs. Macandrew with a token of the gratitude of the members, Mrs. Rennio introduced Miss Agnes Stops, voluntary organiser of women's institutes in England, who arrived by the Mariposa on Saturday, on a tour of New Zealand. Mrs. Rennie extended her a hearty welcome to Titirangi, and presented her with a tastefully arranged bouquet of clematis and other native flowers.

Miss Stops, in reply, expressed her gratification at being back in New Zealand and mentioned that she had messages for almost every institute in New Zealand from their links at Home and felt proud to be the bearer of them. She further referred to tho tremendous responsibility women had in belonging to this worldwide sisterhood and begged them to remember that each one was either adding to the peace of tho world or detracting from it. Women should seriously consider whether they were providing stepping stones or stumbling blocks for others.

Mrs. Ronnie then extended a hearty welcome to the officers of the Auckland District Federation present, the president, Mrs. Phillips, the secretary, Mrs. Revell, and the treasurer, Mrs. McElwain. Mrs. Phillips in reply paid a tribute to the singleness of purpose of the Titirangi Women's Institute in erecting the hall and wished them happiness and friendship in their new home.

Miss Stops then cut the ribbons in the institute colours of red and green and officially declared the building open, dedicating it to service and friendship. Mrs. and Mr. Macandrew were the first to enter.

During the afternoon an appeal was made by Mr. Macandrew for funds to provide a piano for the room and this met with a generous response. The sale of work and produce proceeded briskly throughout the afternoon.