WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 190, 10 May 1934, Page 2

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Movement’s Charitable Work PROVINCIAL MEETINGS “The aim of the Women's Institutes is not to dispense charity, but to dispense with charity as the outcome of. great knowledge.” So said his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Blcdisloe, on one occasion, speaking with personal knowledge of the movement both r.t Home and in New Zealand. Never has its aim been expressed more. succinctly. The institutes are not intended to be charitable organisations in (he ordinary acceptance of the terms; thfeir work lies rather in helping women to help themselves by the provision of facilities for education and by providing healthy interests and cheerful companionships. " Yet, that is not to say that ever-ready help to those in need is not forthcoming. Far from it, as many charitable organisations will willingly admit. Any worthy cause is practically certain of support from the Women’s. Institute, so much so that in most districts the first thought is "Ask the Institute” if help .is needed. Occasionally, however, one finds people who. because they personally have not come in contact with the work, jump to the conclusion that nothing is being done. Possibly, that such a state of affairs occurs is the due to the institutes tbemselves, for it is not their habit to advertise these things. It is, iir their opinion, all in a day’s work, and is no one's business but their own and that of the beneficiaries. Individually, too, most members are contributing generously in oiie or more ways to help in the present time of stress and both local and national charities are benefitting through their efforts. Reikorangi—Wailmnae. The Reikorangi-Waikanae Women’s Institute held their monthly meeting at Wailtanae 011 Thursday. May 3. Mrs. G. A. Monk presided. ■ . , Mrls. Green of Mnuakau gave a demon-, stratjon on the making of mocassins and various leather novelties. The competitions were won as follows. Button holes, Mrs. Wilson 1. Miss M. Buchftnan 2. Mrs. Buchanan o. Vase of ciirysanthemums (junior). Miss M. Burgess L Miss ; Iris Thompson 2; (seniors), Mrs. Wilson 1, Mrs. Monk x.. Mrs. Chapman 3. J ahi tails. Miss J. Brown 1. Mrs. Chapman 2. Mrs. Monk ° A “Sing. Sa.v or Penny Pay” caused much laughter and was greatly enjoyed. Makino. At the Mav meeting of the Makino Women’s Institute. Mrs. J. Mason presided. Three niiw members were enrolled and visitors from Bulls. New Plymouth and Wellington wetre welcomed. Mesdames Mason and Petty were appointed delegates to the North Wellington'Federation Council meeting, and Mrs. Mason was also nominated fop the Dominion executive. Arrangements for the social to be held on May 23 were finalised, , A demonstration on upholstering a cliair. and the making of humpties, was given by Mrs. E, Short. The points competition for an embroidered d’oylcy, judged by .Mrs. Short resulted in Mrs. V. Reid being first, aud Miss B. Thurston second. Mrs. Sherrard gave two pianoforte solos, which were much enjoyed. A vote of thanks was accorded Miss M. Oldfield for the gift of a book entitled “What. Countrywomen of the World ore Doing,”- and it is hoped that a portion of this interesting. book will be read at each of the monthly meetings. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses Mesdames Nairn, McDonald. Pearce and L. Pearce. ■ The June demonstration will be on seagrass stools, and the competition will be for a lamp shade, frame aud materials to cost not more than 7/6. The hostesses will be Misses B. and M. Oldfield, Pedi'son and Moray. Mangatoki. There was a record attendance at the monthly meeting of the Mangatoki Women’s Institute, Mrs. A. E. Mahon presiding over nn attendance, of over 60 members. The president reported placing of a wreath on the memorial gates. Eltham, on Anzac Day. oh behalf of the Institute. ' The delegates reported on ihe federation meeting at Inglewood last weekn Mr. Wm. Langstone gave a talk on his exppriiences during his ten years stay at Nova Scotia. Mrs. Langstoiie judged :t competition for a pot of jelly, placing Mi's. A. E. Mallon, first, Miss J, Phillips second apd Mis? E. Beech 3. Mrs. Langstone presented Miss Bowden. who is leaving.foie-Christchurch, an autographed recipe book and a crystal milk jug. nnd sugar basin. The hostesses were jlesdames J. Phillips and Martin, and Miss C. Phillips.

raraparaumu. The Paraparauniu Women’s Institute held its May meeting recently. There was a good attendance of .members, presided over by Miss Stocker. Miss Stocker was appointed to represent the Institute at the Dominion Conference to be held in Wellington in July. The competition, “Best darned woollen sock,” drew a good number of entries. Mrs. Hardhain and Miss Stocker were judged equal for first place. The hostesses were; Jlesdittnes Hard: ham, Burgess, Pratt, Sheargold, and Misses Caterer and Killick. Levin. The monthly meeting of the Levin Women's Institute was held on May 2 in the Oddfellows’ Hall. , Mrs. Thorpe presided over a good attendance: ; Mrs. .Lye gave an interesting talk on autumn shrubs. The roll' call was for household hints. There were two competitions, a sponge, won by Mrs. Suhan, anti JlfS. Spencer second, Mrs. W. Ramson third; and a bowl of autumn foliage: Mrs. Suhgn 1, Mrs. Goldsmith 2, Mrs. Meddings 3. • Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mesdames Armstrong, Allen, Barclay ami Bayliss. A bring and buy table full of good tilings was quickly disposed of. OliaiHu. The April meeting of the Ohariu Women's Institute was held recently, Mrs Beattie presiding over a full attendance. A demonstration of glove-making was given by Mrs. Ross, who afterwards gave a short talk on drainn. She was presented with a bouquet. A jar of jam and pickle was given by each member to beeent to the people in Pqhiatua district who suffered from the effects of the last earthquake. The competitions were for the best plate of shortbread. Mrs. McKay being first, and Mrs. A. Horrobih second, and for the three best blooms of chrysanthemums. Miss J. Hume gaining first place, with Mrs. Reher second. The hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames Beattie, Reg. Best, A. llorrobin and Monk. I'limmofton. At. the monthly meeting of the Plinimerton Women’s Institute, the president, Miss AmoorC presided over a wellattended meeting of members and visitors, amongst the latter being Mrs. McEwan, of tile Tiakitahuna Institute, who judged the eompfctitons. A flower and drama circle was formed. A ready response was given by members to an invitation to give an item, and the committee staged a comedy, “A Prewedding Tea” (outback), those taking part being Misses Amooi’e and Vella. Mesdames Bramwell. Lankshear, Clarke and Sproule. ' Two competitions were held, one being for the best article made by a member, not to exceed 1/- in cost, won by Miss Vella, the other being for an article decorated with wool flowers, won by Mrs. Sproule. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses. Mesdames Amon and Barlow. Eketahuna. Forty-two members were present At the Mdy meeting of the Eketahuna

Women's Institute. The president, Mrs. | Macky, addressed the members on Insti- i lute matters for the coming year. Cor- | respondence regarding the division of the Wellington Federation into two federations was discussed. Mrs. Delphunty gave a demonstration on the making of llax and raffia baskets. Kimberley. The Kimberley Women's Institute held their monthly meeting on May 3, and in spite of the unpleasant weather, quite a number of members were present. Mrs. Evans, president, was in the chair. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs. Whitcombe, Miss Hunter, Mrs. R. Stratton, Mrs. McDonnell, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Pickering. A demonstration on papier mache work was given by Mrs. Evans. Southern Wellington Federation. A luncheon, at which Mrs. Hassall, retiring vice-president, was hostess, was enjoved by members of the executive committee of the Southern Wellington Federation on Friday last. On behalf of the guests. Mrs. A. B. Ross expressed appreciation of Mrs. Hassall’s help during the past rear, as well as of her hospitality. In reply, Mrs. Hassall referred •warmlv to her happy association with her fellow-members, and her pleasure that all had been given the opportunity for further work together. After lunch, a very full agenda occupied the attention of the members at their first committee meeting of the New Year. A subject for discussion was that dealing with conditions for awarding the trophy which is to be given to the Women's Institute showing the closest adherence to institute ideals. Remits to the Dominion conference, were also considered, as was also the appointment of voluntary organisers. Plans were made to compile a record of community work and gifts of money or goods made by the institutes during the year, and arrangements were discussed for helping fellow-members in the recent Pahiatua earthquake, by gifts of jam. Reports of finance, drama, and handcrafts sub-committees were received and approved, the last-named reporting that the, co-operative quilt now being tnade as a gift to the Dominion loan collection, was well under way. Miss Maddever, the president, in closing the meeting, expressed her pleasure at the re-election of all the members of last year’s committee. Hastwells. Mrs. J. Dick presided over a good attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the Hastwells Women’s Institute. Although weather conditions were extremely bad, a very pleasant afternoon was spent by nil present. Mrs. Oscar Halbfcrg demonstrated a mat made of suganbags. A competition, jumbled names of towns in New Zealand, was won by Miss S. Seymour, with Miss E. Sigvertsen second. Mrs. Cecil Seymour and Mrs. J. Dick were appointed delegates to the conference to be held at Mastertou ou May 24. It was decided to have the carnation for our institute flower. The competition for the month will be the best darned sock and the best two pikelets. The hostesses for the afternoon were Misses L. Bray, S. and I. Seymour. Kaipaj'oro. The monthly meeting of the Kaiparoro Wottten’p Institute was held on April 24. Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Watson, of Masterton, were guests. Mrs. Woods gave an interesting demonstration of floral work, making a charming wreath, which was placed’on the local war memorial. "

The president, Mrs. Welch, welcomed Mrs. Watson as. a new member. A competition arranged ,by Mrs. J. McAnulty was won by Mrs. J. Dick, with Miss Rita McAnulty second. The competition for next month is the most articles in a penny match box. Games iniSfresses were Mesdames Kelsall and Oldham, nnd hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames Henson, Burton, and Braddick. Tinui. The May meeting of the Tinui Women’s Institute, at which Mrs. E. H. Schofield presided, was attended by a large number of members. One new member was welcomed. A demonstration of pine-needle work whs givih by Mrs. Crewe. Samples of pine-needle baskets on view were admired. A competition for the best shortbread brought many entries, the results being: Miss Johnston, 1; Mrs. Speedy, 2 : ; Miss Holdsworth, 3. Mesdames 1 Campbell and Johnston acted as judges. The harvesting of the potatoes caused much interest,, aud Mrs. E. Schofield’s crop, with a yield of 80 pounds, gained first prize, while the Misses A. and L. Schofield filled second aud third places respectively. Owep> B- Parker, and Miss Margiiret Innes were hostesses. Mesdames Horsburgh and Schofield were appointed delegates. to attend the conference to be held in Masterton this month. Mangata inohii. The May meeting of the Mangatainoka Women’s Institute was very largely attended. Delegates to attend the council meeting at Masterton were appointed, namely, Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Williams. A delegate, to he appointed later, is also to be sent to attend the Dominion conference at Wellington in July. TtvO interesting demonstrations were given by Mrs. Eising (Makomako) on brass work, and Mr. McDonald on house decorating. The latter was something quite new, and Mr. McDonald showed a simple means of brightening up papers, floors, and windows. Two competitions were keenly contested. A rock garden, arranged on a soup plate, wiis very popular, with 14 entries. The winner was Miss Pearse. A plate of plain scones brought in 12 entries, and Mrs. Walker was placed first. Alfredton. Mrs. Bicknell presided over the usual meeting of the Alfredton Women’s Institute, held in the hall. IJlrs. Wilton Pori gave a demonstration on papier mache work. Mrs. Dickens gave a prize for the best sponge cake, won by Mrs. G. Napier, with Mrs. Didshury second. The book competition -was won by Mrs. Edwards. Mrs. Didsbury was- the successful member in the potato-growing competition. having 381 b. The delegates chosen to attend the council meeting to be held at Masterton on May 24 are Mesdames G. Napier and A. A. Napier. Hostesses for the afternoon wre Mesdames G. Napier, A. A. Napier, and Miss Beresford.