WOMEN’S DIVISION

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27307, 25 March 1954, Page 2

WOMEN’S DIVISION

CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH HOLDS PARTY Seventy-one members and .guests attended a pleasant party held at the Sign of the Takahe yesterday to celebrate the twenty-fifth birthday of the Christchurch branch of the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers —the first branch of the organisation formed in Canterbury. president (Mrs H. A. Denham) presided, and welcomed the guests, most of whom were foundation members, like Mrs Denham herself.

Mrs A. Stott (president of the Canterbury. provincial executive of the women’s division)- congratulated the branch on 25 years of useful work. Mrs E. Frizzel brought greetings from the Canterbury North executive, and spoke appreciatively of the help of the Christchurch branch in the foundation years of her executive. Mrs M. Bethell conveyed greetings from the Amuri branch.

Mrs Bethell presented life-member-ship badges and certificates to Mrs Denham and Mrs A. E. G. Lyttle. She referred to the early days of the division, and its valuable housekeeper scheme. Mrs H. A. Nutt outlined the activities of the division since its foundation, with particular reference to the Country Cousins scheme, inaugurated by Mrs Denham. She paid tribute to the work done for the housekeeper scheme by the late Mrs J. Dryden Hall, and later by Mrs A. Duff, At afternoon tea, the birthday cake was cut by Mrs Gilmore (Tai Tapu). Mrs Denham expressed regret at the unavoidable absence of two prominent foundation members, Mrs C. C. Jackson and Mrs Colin Mclntosh. She thanked all members for their cooperation. and expressed special thanks to the Home Economics Association, particularly for its help in the early days of the branch, and to Mrs.W. E. Olds for willingly providing musical programmes at meetings on several occasions. Songs were sung by Mrs Linda Haase and Mrs R. H. Sherris, with Mrs Olds

as pianist. Mrs A. Harper thanked Mrs Denham and members for their hospitality. Among the special guests were Mrs Nutt. Mrs Bethell, Mrs R. Nicholls, Mrs G. C. Warren (DarfipJd), Mrs Gilmore (Tai Tapu), Mrs Gilbert (Dunsandel), wtyo was the first secretary of the branchj Mrs W. Coe, Miss Clucas. Mrs C. Jones. Mrs Bishop (Southbridge) and Mrs J. B. Morris (Horo-. rata), who is a daughter of the late Mrs J. D. Hall.