WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 121, 15 February 1935, Page 5

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Reikorangi-Waikanae The Reikorangi-Waikanae Women’s Institute’s monthly meeting took the form of a garden party, which was held, by kind permission of the Misses Mowbray, in their garden. Mr. Mitchell, Otaki, gave an interesting and instructive talk on roses, and demonstrated the pruning of rose bushes. Mrs; G. A. Monk presided and all enjoyed the meeting in such pleasant surroundings. Hastwells. A very pleasant afternoon was spent at the meeting of the Hastwelle Women’s Institute. Mrs. J. Dick presided. Mrs. Cecil Seymour spoke on first aid and showed how to use bandages. This ,was much appreciated by members, and ,Mrs Seymour was accorded a hearty vote’of thanks. : . A competition for the best plate of ■ shortbread was won by Mrs. O. Halberg, iwith Miss E. Dick second; A game of Jumbled names was won by Miss 8. Sey- ' mour, with Mrs. O. Halberg second. Hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames Williams, Halberg and Broadbent. J..-.’ Kimberley. ; Mrs. Evans, president, welcomed members and wished them a happy New Year at the meeting of the Kimberley, Women’s Institute. About 30 members attended. • Arrangements were made for the institute’s second birthday, : which will take 'place on February 28, and also for the -annual meeting. Nominations for - the • election of the new committee were handed in. A garden party was also arranged for the evening of February 18, at the residence of Mrs. R. Evans. Afternoon tea was then served by the hostesses, Mesdames Neas, Petersen, Cheeseman and McDonnell. The competition was won by Mrs. Weaver, with Mrs. Stratton second and Mrs. Evans third. Kaituna-Feniridge. There was a fair attendance of members at the last meeting of the KaitunaFernridge Women’s Institute, when Mrs. Kier, the group convener, reported that a picnic held in Mr. Paton’s bush had been, most successful. Many, members from all institutes in the group spent amost enjoyable day. • Final arrangements were made for the garden party to be held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. P. R. Welch on February 16. Instead of a talk an interesting article from an English paper was read by Miss Maddever, who also demonstrated cake icing. Afternoon tea was served by the_ hostesses for the afternoon-—Mrs. Pringle, Mrs. Yates, and Miss Pain. Utiku. Instead of the usual monthly meeting the Utiku Women’s Institute held a picnic at the “Meeting of the Waters” on January 31. Time passed ail too quickly, those present enjoying swimming and games. The results of the nail driving resulted Junior, Miss K. Henery; senior. Miss Scott; quoits, Miss Brooke. The hostesses for February will be Mesdames Martin, Wilson, Cameron, Fannin, sen., and Misses J. Jackson and D. Newland. The competition will be a sponge sandwich (without butter), jam filling. A demonstration will be given by Mrs. Smith on rug making. A visit will be paid by Mrs. Millen at the next meeting. Mangatainolra. The first meeting of the New Year took place at the Mangatainoka Library Hall on February 7. Mrs. Walker, the president, occupied the chair, and the attendance was very good. Preliminary arrangements for the birthday party in April were discussed. Mrs. Heayns, Mangamutu, gave a demonstration of barbola work and was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. A competition for the best arranged 21b. jar of flowers was won by Miss Pearse, who also secured second prize. The best collection of beans was also won by Miss Pearse, with Mrs. Walker second. Mesdames Heayns and C. Brown acted as judges. A competition for a basket also went to Miss Pearse. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses. Mesdames Kfrrison and Ellmers. The Ode to Friendship and National Anthem were accompanied on the piano by Mrs. L. Rusden. To Make Flowers Last. treat them as follow: Scrape the stems of roses and hydrangeas up about tw’o inches from the end of the stem and crush them a little. Place in the water a small piece of alum or a good pinch of powdered alum. Crushed aspirin added to the water will frequently revive drooping flowers. If the flowers are freshly picked, scrape the ends of the stalks as described and dip them into boiling water or pour boiling water over them. This sterilises them and makes them last well. Another method which has beeu proved successful is to hold the stems in a basin of water and cut them under water with the garden scissors. This causes an instant flow of water up the stems, prevents the air from getting in, '• • and the- stalks from drying.