WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21314, 6 November 1934, Page 4

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

* EXHIBITION OF WORK An exhibition of work done by the members of the Hawarden, Medbury, Mason's Flat, Peaks. Scargill, and Waikari Women's Institutes was held in the Hawarden Hall. This was the first display of the kind held in the district, and it reileeted great credit on the convener, Mrs F. Dalzell, and the representatives of each institute who were responsible for the success of the undertaking. The afternoon was beautifully fine and warm, and attracted a large number of people and a very satisfactory sum was raised. Many and varied were the articles exhibited, including not only articles made from waste material, but some of the finest of fancy work entailing many hours of work and much patience. Of outstanding merit was the wonderful display of rugs and mats, some made of wool and some from old stockings. Many paintings were shown as well as several exhibits of luminous pictures. Knitting of all kinds of garments and cushions formed a very popular part of the display, some very beautiful knitting being shown. Marquetry and barbola work attracted much admiration, some beautiful work being depicted on fruit, flower, and powder bowls, vases, and jewel cases. A novel attraction was the display of trays and baskets made from pineneedles, and others again from gramophone records and waste paper (pap-ier-mache work). A number of aprons were shown, and these revealed some very fine work, displaying many and varied designs. Specimens of wood carving also gained its share of admiration. Much enthusiasm was displayed over the exhibition of antiques. This embraced old china, wearing apparel, old copy books, jewellery, necklaces of beads, and many other articles, all of which were most interesting. An added attraction to the afternoon's enjoyment was the most interesting and fascinating demonstration given by Mrs Chennells, of Christchurch, on spinning and weaving. Mrs Cowie sang the appropriate song of "There's an Old Spinning Wheel." Mrs Coe, of Scargill, also entertained those present with one of her much appreciated monologues. A two-tiered birthday cake made and decorated by Mrs W. Trail, of Waikari. was on view, and was much admired. Afternoon tea was provided by the institute members. GARDENS OF FRIENDSHIP SCHEME A very interesting movement has been initiated by the Hon. Mrs Alan Gardner —who is prominent in the Surrey County Federation of the Women's Institutes —in creating sentimental links of Empire by the "Gardens of Friendship" scheme for the interchange of bulbs and seeds between the respective Dominions and the Motherland. Last July a produce exhibition and sale were*held in one cf the Surrey towns to which New Zealand Women's Institutes had forwarded a auantlty of Dominion produce and also native bulbs and seeds and tree ferns. It is interesting to know that these gifts had a particularly good sale and were very greatly appreciated by the Surrey Women's Institutes. It is now learned through the Hen. Mrs Alan Gardner that two of the tree ferns were accepted by her Majesty the Queen. The Lady in Waiting, in reply to the Hon. Mrs Gardner, wrote to her: "The Queen will be graciously pleased to accept the gift of two tree

ferns sent to you bv Ihe United | Women's Institutes of New Zealand, j Her Majesty asks that they may be sent to the head gardener of the Royal Gardens, Sandringham. The Queen will see Ihem when she is next at Sandringham." The Hon. Mrs Gardner has now gone a step further in this matter so far as New Zealand is concerned, and having obtained from the High Commissioner . the names of former Governors and | Governors-General, has written Sir James Parr to slate that she is endeavouring to secure from the gar- ' dens of previous Governors and Governors-General and the Princess Royal bulbs and seeds for sending to the New Zealand Women's Institutes for planting in the Dominion. LITTLE RIVER The monthly meeting of the Little River Women's Institute was held in the Town Hall/'Mrs Vanstone presiding. Mrs Trail, who was the delegate at"the half-yearly North Canterbury Federation meeting, gave an interesting report. It was decided to send a copy of the Women's Institute cookery book to the institute's link, in Largo, Scotland. A sale of basketware from the Institute for the Blind, Auckland, realised the sum of £ 10 lis Bd. The competition for a specimen rose bloom resulted: Miss Bates 1, Mrs McPherson 2, Mrs Trail 3. A demonstration on parchment lamp-shades was given by Miss W. Stott, and Mrs P. Birdling demonstrated pewtcr-work. An exhibition of handwork was held and it included tapestry, pewter-work, beaten copper, basketware, pen-painting, barbola, oil- ; nainting, a hand-embroidered picture, white and coloured embroidery, and a beautiful hand-worked christeningrobe, 70 years old. Arrangements were made for a Mad Hatter's parly to be held on December 14, in place of the usual monthly meeting. The hostesses were Mesdames Aitken, McPherson, French, McGowan, and Miss French. TE I'IRITA The monthly meeting of the Te Pirita Women's Institute was held in the Te Pirita School, with Mrs Tamblin presiding. One new member was welcomed. The president reported on the federation meeting which she had attended as a delegate. Mrs Dodds was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for a demonstration of dressmaking. A competition, held during the social half-hour, was won by Mrs Brownlie. Other competitions resulted:—Pikelets: Mesdames Craigie 1, Tamblin 2, Brownlie and Inch (equal) 3. Best article made from a sugar-bag, Mesdames Inch 1, Dodds 2, and Tamblin 3. Best blooms: Mesdames Tamblin 1, D. Inch 2, and Andrew 3. Hostesses were Mesdames Birdling, Craigie, and Dodds. LAN-TON DOWNS-CHARWELI. FORKS The monthly meeting of the Lynton Downs-Charwell Forks branch of the Women's Institute was held at the Charweli School on November 1, Mrs K. Hoberton (president) presiding over a good attendance. A competition arranged by Miss D. Snushall resulted m a draw between Mesdames H. Robcrton, J. E. Barker, Misses H. Roberton and E. Lawson, second places being given to Mrs le Clerc Latter, Misses N. Roberton and E. Weavers. A parcel of leather goods from the Disabled Soldiers' Association (Christchurch) was quickly sold amongst members. It was decided that there will be a display of Christmas goods at the meeting to be held on December Uth in the Lynton Downs School. The hostesses were Mesdames le Clerc Latter. C. E. Ryder, and T. J. Adair.

SPHINGSTON The monthly meeting of the Women's Institute was held in the Public Hall. Mrs J. W. Kime (president) presided over a good attendance of members, and extended a welcome to visitors. A competition for the best six varieties of sandwich fillings resulted: Miss N Ryan 1, Mrs W. Mounce 2, Miss E. Bailey, and Miss M. Garland (equal) :i. Ail interesting talk on the care of the hair and skin was given by Mrs Vaughan, of Christchurch. Mrs Kime, on behalf of the members of the institute, thanked Mrs Vaughan. The next meeting is to take the form of a social evening, which is to be held in the Springston South Hall. The hostesses were: Mesdames R. Archbold, J. A. Benny, P. V. Bailey, J. F. Blakemore, and Miss M. Benny. Mrs Henshaw, vice-president, presided at the monthly meeting of the Studholme Women's Institute, when there was a good attendance in the hall. She referred to the bereavement recently suffered by the president (Mrs Hayman), and a motion of sympathy with the Hayman family was passed. It was decided to hold a children's picnic in Victoria Park, Waimate, on November 17. all parents and children in the district to be invited. SPOTSWOOD The usual monthly meeting of the Spotswood. Women's Institute was held recently, Mrs T. Stevenson presiding over a good attendance. Mesdames S. E. Pettengill, B. Buttle, and T. Stevenson were elected as delegates to attend the conference of the North Canterbury Federation at Christchurch. Articles received from the disabled returned soldiers' branch were sold during the afternoon. A competition for three varieties of biscuits resulted as follows: —Miss M. Harrison 1, Mrs L. M. Gibson 2. The hostesses were Mesdames F. H. Upston and S. E. Pettengill and Miss M. Wilson. The hostesses' competition was won by Mrs T. Stevenson.

WAIHAORUNGA The monthly meeting of the Waihaorunga Women's Institute was held at the residence of Mrs il. M. Whatman, the president, Mrs Colvill, presiding. Mrs J. C. Hurst and Mrs Elderton gave an instructive demonstration of darning, and received a hearty vote of thanks. Mrs Hurst won the specimen bloom competition, with Mrs Colvill second. Mesdames W. Armstrong, Bell, and McKenzie were the hostesses. IKAWAI Mrs A. Bell presided at the October meeting of the Ikawai, Women's Institute. when there was a good attendance of members. Mrs Redpath won the specimen bloom competition, and Mesdames Finlay, Mcßae, and Milne, and Miss Milne were equal lor second place. Other flower competitions resulted as follows:—Best jar of narcissi: Miss Cleland 1, Mrs Cieland 2. Mrs Dugdale 3. Best jar of spring flowers, with foliage: Mrs Balfour 1, Mrs Cleland 2, Miss Cleland 3. The competition for a knitted article suitable for show entry was won by Mrs T. Hamilton, jun., with Miss N. Hamilton second. An amusing competition held during the afternoon was won by Misses Milne and Waldie, with Mrs Jackson second. Mesdames Redpath and Rolfe were the hostesses. Before their departure for Melbourne, Miss K. Brown and Miss Waldie were entertained by members of the institute at the residence of Mrs Finlay Mcßae. when a very enjoyable time was spent with musical items and | games. | OMIHI The monthly meeting of the Omihi Women's Institute was held in the Omihi Hall, Mrs L. Doak presiding. Mrs Duncan 'Christchurch) gave an interesting and instructive demonstration on pattern cutting from a chart. Mrs Doak reported on the federation meeting held in Christchurch on October 31. Leather work and other

articles made by the disabled soldier* were on view and a number were sow* The competitions resulted as follows-" Best decorated bowl of roses: Miss KSymonds 1, Miss Daphne Shaw 2. Bess threw varieties: Miss E. Synionos i Mrs L. Doak 2. Best bioom: Mrs N. Campbell 1, Miss R. Symonds - Summer sweet and recipe: Miss JSloss 1, Miss M. Sloss 2. The hostesses were Mcsdames Campbell and Brov~3 and Misses Daphne Shaw and >• a - c - Alexander.