COUNTRY WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27408, 22 July 1954, Page 2

COUNTRY WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Mrs J. W. Martin New President (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 21. The biennial conference of the Federation of New Zealond Country Women’ Institutes today elected Mrs J. W. Martin, of Dunedin, a member

of the Mid-Otago federation, as Dominion president. Mrs Martin relinquishes offices as a Dominion vicepresident and Dominion treasurer to take up the new post. She has been in the movement for 23 years, and is the first South Islander to become Dominion president. In 1949 she was awarded a gold honours badge, given for outstanding service to the movement.

DELEGATE from RAROTONGA

INSTITUTE ORGANISER IN COOK ISLANDS "The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, July 21. One delegate has travelled 2000 miles to attend the biennial conference of the Dominion Federation of Country Women’s Institutes which opend in Wellington yesterday. She is Mrs P. F. Henderson, who has come from Rarotonga. Mrs Henderson represents the youngest and most distant of the movement’s branches.

A mataiapo, Mrs Henderson belongs to a leading Rarotongan family. She has been appointed voluntary organiser for the women’s institute movement in the Cook Islands. There are branches at Ngatankiia, Matavera and Tikikaveka. Other branches are likely to be formed as far away as the outer islands of the group. Two of the branches now have 26 members apiece and the other 25. Mrs Henderson has been staying with her sister-in-law, Mrs G. Hawke, president of the Putaruru Women’s Institute, before coming to Wellington for the conference. As the wife of the Officer for Further Education in the Cook Islands, Mrs Henderson helps her husband in his work, and is on the educational staff.

Mr Henderson, a New Zealander, comes from Featherston. He went to the .Cook Islands first as a teacher. His ’wife was born at Aitutaki.

VICTORIA LEAGUE

ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR R. YINGLING

The origin and administration of the Fulbright scheme comprised one of the subjects explained by Professor R. Yingling at a morning tea party held at Beaths yesterday by the Victoria League. Dr. Yingling, who occupies the chair of music at Connecticut University, is himself in New Zealand under the Fulbright scheme, and is lecturing in music at Canterbury University College. Yesterday he undertook to answer questions, and his explanations were of great interest to nearly 60 members of the league who attended the meeting.

In reply to an inquiry, Dr. Yingling explained the governmental system of the United States, and dealt with the powers of each component of Congress. He also spoke of the colour problem in the southern States, and outlined the ways of life of the white people and of the negroes. Mrs Redmond Neill (vice-president) presided at the meeting, and Mrs A. V. Oliver thanked the speaker. Specially invited guests included Mrs Yingling, Mrs Fraser (Harrogate. England). Miss Schneider (Melbourne), and Miss Wicks (New South Wales).