P. AND T. WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27708, 12 July 1955, Page 2

P. AND T. WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

21ST ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK

The North Canterbury Post and Telegraph Women’s Association will celebrate its twenty-first birthday this week. To mark the occasion a dinner party and evening social will be held.

The association came into being because of the kind-heartedness of a few women. It had Often been noted bv wives of post office officials that the wives of members of the staff coming to Christchurch from other districts were extremely lonely and often because of family ties had not time to take up activities outside their homes. So in 1934 a meeting of wives of officers of the Post and Teiegraph Department was convened by Mrs W. F. Kent-Johnston, and attended by about 30 women. It was decided to form an association with the main objects of extending a friendly welcome to newcomers and to promote good fellowship among the wives of men employed by the department. Mrs KentJonnston was elected the first presi, IS37’ and She held that otlice untli

Now when the association learns that an officer of the department has been transferred to Christchurch an invitation is sent to his wife, to attend the monthly meetings of ‘the association ano meet the members. Another atI tenlion paid to members is that of i visiting any who are ill, either in hospitals or in their homes, and of send•ng flowers to their homes on the days that they are discharged from hospital. The members have an unusual and very pleasing custom. To each new baby born to a member they present a hand-made smock of material nought by the association and beautifully made up by one of the vicepresidents. Mrs C. A. Bruce, of New Brighton. Two other members whose artistic skill is valuable to the organa,re Irs A. G. Lake and Mrs J. Fiewellyn, who make all the sprays presented to honoured guests at Cnristmas and birthday parties. A recent, acquisition of the association is a piano for which members in three months subscribed the purchase price of £lOO. The permanent P , -V US J >s Mrs W. Thomas, with Mrs Alfred Palmer to relieve her, and thev and other members, with occasional guest artists, provide enjoyable programmes of music and drama at the monthly evening gatherings held in tiw cafeteria at the Chief Post Office. According to its rules, the wives of officials who resigned or retired from the service were ineligible to continue as members of the association. It was found, with the passage of years, that many women were grieved at havin'’ to give up membership and to forgo the pleasant comradeship they had previously enjoyed. To meet this situation it was decided at the association s last annual meeting in August last year that these women could continue their connexion with the association by becoming associate members. This entitles them to all the privileges of full members except for voting power or for election to office. The association, which now has a membership of about 120, has grown in importance in the community, and has identified itself with much welfare work in the city. Members have helped in street appeals, they have sold health stamps, they have supported the leper appeals and the Save the Children Fund, and during the years of war thej' gave yeoman service at the Welcome Club. Since its inauguration the associaU on T / as hed five Presidents—Mrs W. F. Kent-Johnston, who with Mrs M. Fv *?, urn now a life member, Mrs Matthew Cummins. Mrs H. C. Brent. Mrs L. F. Smith, and the present holder of the office. Mrs L. N. Cuming, who ;s a foundation member, was secretary for 11 years, and has been president years. She has the support of Mrs M. K. Macleod (secretarv), Mrs Neville Grossman (assistant secretary). Mrs E. B. Kay (treasurer >, Mesdames A. Palmer. C. A. Bruce, and L. C. Collett 'vice-presidents), and Mesdames M. E. Marsden. L. Parris. O. S. Lang, Jamieson (Sumner). R. Hewitt, and A. Mofrison. the members of the committee.