WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 33, 2 November 1933, Page 16

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Tribute to the Movement PROVINCIAL MEETINGS An English north country newspaper paid the following tribute to the work of the women’s institutes in a recent editorial : “These women arc moving. Their numbers are increasing. There is no ostentatious programme, no grand schemes —just sensible, useful work by village women with small funds, but offering a wealth of personal service.’’ That passage might well have been written of the Women’s Institute movement in New Zealand also, for it is a plain description of the work being done and the method of doing it. The Women’s Institute .believes in personal effort, personal service, personal influence, and personal interest exerted toward achieving reforms and improvements, rather than noisy demonstrations which as often as not defeat their own object.

Council Mooting at Pahiatua. Over 400 delegates attended the tenth council meeting of the Northern-Welling-ton Federation of Women’s Institutes, held at Pahiatua. The weather was most unpleasant but nevertheless women as- ’ sembled from all corners of the federation district, and the great assemblage only bore further indication of the vast growth of this great women’s organisation. Delegates were welcomed by Mesdames J. D. C. Crewe, president of the federation ; C. Walker, president of the Mangatainoka Institute and W. H. Stainton, also of the Mangatainoka Institute, and a member of the federation executive. On the platform he said, the institutes were improving the with Mrs. Crewe were Mrs. R. _C. Austin, secretary and treasurer, and quite a number of other members of the executive of the federation. A civic welcome was later extended to the delegates by the Mayor. Mr. J. D. Wilson. He spoke of the wonderful enthusiasm displayed by members associated with the institute movement, and eulogised he work being done by the insitutes in New Zealand. By their efforts, he said, the institutes were improving the people, not only intellectually, but industrially and socially. Considerable business was put through at the conference.

Utiku Institute. The second meeting of the newly-form-ed Utiku Women’s Institute was held in the public hall, Mrs. Dellow presiding. There was a very large attendance of members, several new ones being welcomed. , , Community singing also, proved very entertaining. The competition was for the prettiest coat hanger, points being awarded as follow:—Miss Fannin, 1; Miss W. Dellow, 2; Miss N. De110w,.?.. A demonstration of picture making with chocolate papers was given by Miss Muriel Gibbs. , , , A selection of goods from the Blind Institute was on sale, and the trading table was well laden and patronised. Games and afternoon tea concluded a very enjoyable meeting. Manakau Institute. A pleasant afternoon was spent at the monthly meeting of the Manakau Women’s Institute. Mrs. Atkins presided, and welcomed four new members. Mrs. Artcvr Bryant gave an interesting demonstration on making soft toys and paper flowers. In the competition for sponge cake with butter, Mrs. Scott came first, and the competition for sponge cake, without butter, was won by Mrs. John Staples, Stokes Valley Institute. The president of the' Stokes Valley Women’s Institute welcomed Miss M.addener, the South Wellington Federation ■president, when she paid an informal visit to the institute. Miss Maddener gave an interesting talk on the Otaki conference. A demonstration was also given by Miss Maddener of an economic bias binding. Mrs. Richardson, of Silverstream, also gave a demonstration of pine cones and their uses, many beautiful exhibits being shown. The competition for the best pine needle basket was won by Mrs. Williamson and Miss McGregor. The hostesses for the afternoon were. Mrs Petherick, Miss McGregor and Miss Young. Te Horo Institute. There was a good attendance at the October meeting of the Te Horo Women s Institute. The president, Mrs. Jenkins, opened the meeting with the institute prayer. . , ... The afternoon was a social one, witn the, late president, Mrs. Blake, as guest of lionour. During a pause in the musical programme, Mrs. Jenkins presented Mrs. Blake with an autograph book, in which the members had inscribed their names. ~,, , Two guessing competitions caused much fun. There was also a competition for the best posy of flowers. The three winning posies were presented by their owners to Mrs. Blake.