ANNUAL MEETING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23317, 1 May 1941, Page 2

ANNUAL MEETING

FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S INSTITUTES * Mrs Arthur Morten was elected president of the Canterbury Federation of Women’s Institutes at the annual meeting held in Christchurch yesterday. Other officers appointed were: Vice-presidents, Miss E, le Lievre and Miss V. Bowls; secretary, Mrs M. Davis; committee, Mesdames M. Davis (Women’s Institute Club), J. M. Shelley (Mairehau), H. Prebble (Prebbleton), M. Waugh (Mairehau), Mrs P. Birdling (Little River), Mrs R. J. Ware (Ladbrooks), Miss E. le Lievre (Akaroa), Miss N. Doak (Leeston), Miss V. Bnwis (Doyleston). r Mrs Ross McDonald, retiring president. welcomed delegates and visitors, who included Mrs J, W. McLeod, president of the North Canterbury Federation. “We country women have a definite part to play ip keeping up the standard of the home.” said Mrs McDonald in her presidential address, •*We will not always be at war, and our children will be the men and women whose great task will be that of reconstruction after the war. We must look ahead to that time, and by reading, study and discussion obtain a clearer insight into international affairs," Mm McDonald pointed out that the Women’s Institutes had jyiany fields of service, and by continuing them members would be doing a greater national service than by allowing them to lapse War Work The annual report read by the secretary, Mrs M. Davis, stated that owing to petrol restrictions many members in ■'utlying districts had been unable to attend Institute meetings, but in some. districts institutes had combined with Red Cross and the Lady Galway Guild to hold most successful meetings Members continued to do much excellent war work, by sendnig parcels overseas or contributing money for the purchase of parcels. With school holidays approaching, it was thought that many members would wish to extend hospitality to children of men overseas, and those willing to do so were asked to give their names to the secretary. Arrangements for a scheme whereby donations to the federation should be placed on a membership basis were discussed and approved by delegates. Under this new scheme institutes with less than 20 members will continue to make their donation of 10s, and those with more than 20 members will make a donation of 8d a member. A remit from the Le Son’s Bay Institute suggesting that delegates to the Canterbury Federation should have their expenses paid from a pool to which all Institutes in-the federation should contribute in proportion to membership, was passed. The treasurer, Mrs J, M. Shellgy, said that if meetings of the federation were held in Christchurch, the cost, taking into account reduced railway fares on Wednesdays, would be approximately 3d to each member. The money so raised would- defray expenses of only one delegate from each institute. Many members of other Institute federations had taken advantage of group travel parties, and on their arrival in Christchurch had been met durih° the year bv Mrs Morten and Mrs Davis. The Canterbury . Federation had arranged a grouo travel trip to Mount Cook to leave Christchurch oh June 26, A member of the Little River Women’s Institute, the mother of 13 children, had won the scholarship for the group travel trip to Nelson last month. Helper Scheme Mrs H. Prebble, secretary of the helper scheme, said that during the last six months nine helpers had been employed for a total Of 33 weeks. It was often difficult to obtain helpers at short notice, and she appealed to members to send to her names of members or their daughters who might be willing to help. At the morning session, Mrs William Deans gave an interesting talk on the activities of the Women’s War Services Auxiliary, and in the afternoon, Mrs G. H. watts spoke of the progress made In recent months by the Women’s Land Army. Afternoon tea was served, and members were entertained with songs sung by Mrs Claude Davies with piano accompanimeht by Mrs W. Olds. Members of the Mairehau, Mount Pleasant, , and Burwood Institutes and the Women’s Institute Club were responsible for tea arrangements. CROCKFORD’S CLUB The last evening’s play of the individual championships for contract bridge, played at Crockford’s Club, resulted as .follows:—"A” division: Mrs Noel Laver and M i G. B. : Morgan (equal) 1, Mrs M, E. Pipe 3. “B” division: Mrs C. Ring and Miss D. Humphreys (equal) 1, Miss J. Lee 3. The best final results were as follows:—“A 1 * division: Miss S. Fraser 1, Mrs H. H. Wauchop 2, Mrs M. E. Pipe 3, Mrs R. Renton Bell 4, Mrs C. M. Hill, 5, Mrs E, Lawrence Wyles 8, Mrs P, A. Ardagh 7, Mrs Noel Laver 8, Professor P, H. Powell 9, Mrs A- S, Geddes 10i “B" Mrs C. Ring 1, Mrs T. Cowlishaw.2, Miss V. Sapsford 3. Dr, F. A’Court 4. Mrs J. A. S. Wait 5, Mrs G. W. C. Smithson 6, Mr H. Lenk 7, Miss P, Norton 8, Miss E. Aitken 9, Mrs R. Law 10. HOME ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION The Home Economics Association last year increased in membership, says the annual report. The twentyfirst anniversary of the association was held last October, and many former members rejoined on that occasidft. The 1940 syllabus was varied and instructive, and members gave help to various patriotic efforts. The president, Miss S. McKee, and her helpers were in charge of sorting and packing for the Lady Galway Guild. They sent a Christmas hamper to men serving on minesweepers round, the coast of New Zealand, and were hostesses at thfc Welcome Club. Members of the association collected for several street appeals,, and sold health stamps, Donations were forwarded to the Fresh Air Fund and to the Red Cross Society.