WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 12007, 27 April 1936, Page 2

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

TAURANGA DISTRICT FEDERATION

ANNUAL MEETING

The first annual meeting of the Tauranga District Federation of Women’s Institutes was held in the town hall last week Mrs Stenhouse presiding over a good attendance of delegates and members. The meeting opened with singing the Institute song and then followed the Aspirations.

The President then introduced the Mayor, Mr L. R. Wilkinson, who welcomed the members to Tauranga and congratulated the women on their splendid work in the district. Mrs Hickey presented Mrs Stenhouse with a bouquet from the members. Delegates were present from sixteen out of the seventeen Institutes, namely:- Katikati. Apata, Betiiiehem, Peterhema, Omanawa, Gate Pa, Te Puke, Tauranga, Pongakawa Valley, Mt. Maunganui, Pukehina, Hairini-Welcome Bay, Rangitawa, Papamoa, Maketu and Paengaroa. Apologies were received from Mrs Wood and Mrs Palmer, also from the Waikato and Eastern Bay of Plenty Federations.

The minutes of the last Council meeting were read and confirmed. The question of Club rooms at Tauranga and Te Puke was explained by Mrs R. McNaughton.

Mrs Paterson wrote thanking the Federation for the good wishes extended to her on being chosen as delegate to attend the Associated Country Women of the World Conference at Washington in June. Mrs Stenhouse was nominated for the Dominion Executive and she will attend the Dominion Conference in July as the delegate from the Federation.

A vote of thanks Avas passed to the Women’s Division for inviting the girls of Women’s Institutes to attend the Educational course to be held in Tauranga.

The report of the year’s work was read by Mrs McNaughton and approved. It showed that membership has grown to 522, and that there were seventeen Institutes of which Katikati is the largest with 109 members.

The financial statement was read by Mrs West showing a credit balance of £ 3 4s 6d. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr H. Bradmore for auditing the books. The Voluntary Organiser’s report showed two new Institutes formed and the effort being made to encourage Maori members to revive their arts and crafts.

The Rest Cottage report was read by Mrs West and showed a satisfactory position. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mrs West for her valuable work in connection with the cottage which is becoming belter known, finances being now on a better tooting.

The Hospitality Circle report was read and adopted. The formation of this circle was also undertaken with Mrs R. McNaughton as Organiser. The report of the Women’s Representative Committee was read by Mrs Rowsell, who with Mrs R. McNaughton, was re-appointed delegate. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs Stenhouse; VicePresidents, Mrs Hickey and Mrs Faulkner; Secretary, Mrs R. McNaughton; Treasurer, Mrs West; Press Correspondent, Mrs F. Gemming; Other Members, Mrs Reid and Mrs D. Steele; Voluntary Organiser, Mrs R. McNaughton.

Remits: Mrs Hickey spoke regarding remits, and it was decided that all remits should be discussed at the half yearly Council meetings before being sent to Conference. The following remits were discussed and carried.

Tauranga: “That the Government be urged that a home for backward and mentally deficient children be established in the North Island.” Gate Pa: “That the present method of Institute voting be changed to the general method of drawing a line through the unwanted names.” Tauranga Federation Executive Committee: “That as some of our District Federations have now established schemes for the provision of help in homes in times of sickness or other urgent need, we urge, that for greater efficiency the Dominion Federation Executive Committee receive suggestions from Institutes and formulate some scheme which would be operative throughout the Dominion.”

Mrs Christian spoke urging women to sign a petition for the abolition of

Mrs Denis Knowles addressed the meeting on “the Activities of the League of Nations” which was followed wdth great interest, a, vote of thanks being accorded the speaker. The Maori members sang the Ode to Friendship in Maori, and Mrs West rendered two songs.

Votes o£ thanks were accorded to the tellers, Mrs McLean for judging competitions, Messrs lies and Simmonds for loan of furniture, Mrs Moffatt for floral work, Mr Kerridge and the Press.

The competitions were: Best Thrift Article: Mrs Baunatyue 1, Mrs Danton 2; Flowers: Mrs Mackay 1, Mrs Pemberton 2; Needle Work, white and coloured, Mrs Allen 1 and 2; Special Prize: Mrs Reid, tor thrift article.