WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25328, 30 October 1947, Page 2

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

MEETING OF CANTERBURY FEDERATION More than 300 delegates attended the half-yearly council meeting of the Canterbury Federation of Women’s Institutes, held at Doyleston, and representatives of 30 out of 32 institutes answered the roll-call. Mrs Ross Macdonald, who presided, emphasised the importance of holding meetings in country districts to give members opportunities of personal contact. The work of the institutes went steadily on, she continued, and members believed that the work was one of national value. Country women had the most important job in the world in these days of national emergency, and the future of the Dominion depended upon the vitality of its country life. Sprays were presented to the members of the executive, Mrs A. E. Brown, Mrs M. Morten, Miss E. Le Lievre.

Group meetings had been held at Akaroa and Leeston, stated the halfyearly report, and in moving its adoption, Mrs Macdonald referred to the value of the adult education department of Canterbury University College. The need to support the Aid to Britain campaign was emphasised. Three important remits were discussed. Mrs M. Davis spoke about the “Save the Children” campaign, Mrs Prebble spoke on the housekeeper scheme, Mrs Macdonald on the recent Dominion Council meeting, and Miss M. Brown on the Junior Circle’s conference held in Wellington. Mrs Prebble was presented with a fold service badge in recognition of er work for the housekeeper scheme, and good service badges were handed to Miss Bowis (Doyleston), Mrs Candy (W.I. Centre), Mesdames Lilley and Kellaway (Coalgate), Mrs Pilkington and Mrs Sloan (Southbridge), Mrs Couch (New Brighton). Mrs Lambie and Mrs Anderson (Lakeside). A gift bearing the Women’s Institute badge was presented to Mrs D. J. Boal in appreciation of the work she had done before her marriage as Women’s Institute housekeeper. To mark her ninetieth birthday Mrs John Nairn was presented with a posy. Mrs Macdonald was elected unopposed as Canterbury representative on the Dominion Council. It was agreed to hold the next half-yearly meeting in the Lincoln-Prebbleton group’s district. Songs by Mrs L. Joines were enjoyed, and an interesting talk on rural housing was given by Mrs Johnston, of the Department of Agriculture

At a Red Cross dance held in the Kaituna Hall the sum of £25 was raised, and this amount is to be handed in to the North Canterbury Red Cross Centre for the Food for Britain appeal.