WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 226, 20 June 1936, Page 24

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Reports of District

Meetings

Following are further reports of meetings of women’s institutes in the various districts: — Trentham. A satisfactory number gathered at Telford’s Hall for the June meeting of the Trentham Women’s Institute. In order to facilitate reorganisation of the institute, the federation president, Mrs. J. Hume, attended, and occupied the chair. The federation was also represented by Miss Maddever, voluntary organiser, and Mesdames Spackman and Gibson Young, executive members. The meeting opened with the repetition of the "Aspirations,’ after which the question of the need for reorganisation was fully discussed. The meeting unanimously decided in favour ot reorganisation, and expressed deep appreciation of the work done by Mesdames Carr and Coker in helping to bring it about. Mrs. Hume spoke on the personal responsibility of membership, and the need for the application of W.I. ideals in everyday life as well as in all W.I. activities. She stressed the importance of “giving as well as “getting,” and of the ideals/ of service and co-operation, and concluded by -iving a list of articles for the W.I. “medicine chest.” These included "tact ointment,” “oil for troubled w’aters, “embrocation of kindness, thought and patience,” with a “bandage of co-opera-tion.” .. , The working of “groups” was also explained, and it was decided to support the nomination of Mrs. Kitchen (Silverstream) as group convener. Officers elected were:—Mrs. Carr, president; Mesdames Allardyce and Caldwell, vicepresidents ; Mrs. Coker, secretary; Mrs. King treasurer; and Mesdames Leslie, Calder, Pirrett, Scott and Miss Bree, committee. Mrs. Hume and Mrs. Gibson Young, who acted as secretary, were presented with dainty sprays, and afternoon tea closed a successful meeting. Belmont. In the absence of Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Moye, vice-president, presided at the June meeting, when two new members were elected to the Belmont W.I. The programme was in the hands of the arts and crafts circle, who provided a fine exhibition of work done by members. A demonstration of passe partout work by Mrs. Hoare was followed with keen interest, as was also a talk on Maori life and customs by Mr. Hosie. Mrs. McMurray won the sweet posies competition, and Mrs. Moye an open one. At a recent social afternoon held in honour of Miss Maddever, retiring federation president, the institute presented her with a fountain pen, in token of appreciation of her work both as a Belmont W.I. member and in the wider sphere of the federation. Songs, games and a play by the Alicetown drama circle passed the time very happily. Bouquets were also presented to Mrs. Hume, federation president, and Mrs. Boyes, a retiring vicepresident of the federation. Mangaweka. There was a large attendance at the June meeting of the Mangaweka Women’s Institute, when Mrs. Ginnane presided and welcomed one new member and several visitors. It was decided to co-operate with the members of the local Oddfellows' Lodge in holding a series of card evenings, the proceeds to -be used for piano repairs. • A report, on the recent drama competition was given, members being very interested in the judge’s remarks and report. The Mangaweka Women’s Institute team, Mrs. Kirkby and Misses P. Weston and A. Gardiner, were congratulated on their win, and as the cup, presented by the Rangiwahia institute, has now been won outright, it. was decided to hold a drama competition locally and invite neighbouring institutes to compete for this trophy. Mrs. Ginnane was appointed delegate to the conference at Dunedin in July. A successful 64. “bring and buy” was held to raise funds for heating the hall during winter months. Mrs. W. H. Billinghurst was announced the winner of the potato competition with 871 b. from her three tubers. The points competition, thrift articles, was woii by Mrs. Sutherland, in the most useful section, and Miss R. Oulsnam for the most ornamental.

Mr. Dawkins gave a talk on pruning and grafting fruit. July being the birthday month of the institute, it was decided that the next meeting be mainly a social afternoon, the annual concert and dance which usually celebrates the birthday to be held in August. . The singing circle gave some enjoyable items. The hostesses ‘were Mesdames Watson, ‘Waugh, Warrilow, Waymouth, Stoweiw and Miss .Sweet. Ohingaiti. The monthly meeting of the Ohingaiti Women’s Institute, presided over by Mrs. Dulziell, was well attended. Mrs. Fraser, Rangiwahia, demonstrated on smocking, and was accorded a vote of thanks. The competition resulted in a win for 3/rs. Prichard, with Miss E. Hammond second. Good business was done at a trading stall. Afternoon tea was served by Mesdames Mereta, l iichard and Trevena, during which Miss Hammond gave two recitations. Horoeka. In the. absence of the president the vice-president, Mrs. Lunt presided over the monthly meeting of the Horoeka IV omen’s Institute recently. The month’s competition was for■ putt pastry, the members having a difficult task in deciding whose pastry was the best, the choice finally resting on Miss Bowie’s and Mrs. Giddens’s entries. Mrs. Lunt gave an interesting demonstration on chocolate coating. Mrs. Clemens aud Miss Bowie were in charge of the entertainment, which took the form of two competitions, Mrs. Lunt aud Mrs. Giddens being the win - A pleasing feature of the afternoon was a recitation given by Mrs. Clemens entitled “A Ship on Fire.” The hostesses were Mrs. S. Whitta, Mrs. Chick, and Miss F. Wilcox. Mrs. Lunt thanked Mrs. Wilcox for the use of her home. Manakau. The June meeting of the Manakau Women’s Institute was well attended, Mrs. Willis being in the chair. It was decided to form a library, Misses U. Cotter and J. Leitch to be in charge, and also to have a “bring and buy” stall each month. Mrs. L. staples was elected delegate to attend the Dunedin conference. Mr. Witchel, Otaki. gave a talk oil daffodils and gladioli, which was much appreciated. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mesdames Jensen. Lister, Nees, Miles, and Miss Houghton. Opaki. The monthly meeting of the,Opaki Women’s Institute was held at t.he residence of the president, Mrs, Wingate, who was in the chair. Mrs. Tankersley gave a demonstration on wicker weaving. She showed several beautifully-made baskets which were much admired. Members accorded her a vote of thanks. The monthly competition was for best open tarts. The entries were all of a high standard, judging being done bv popular vote. The results were:— Miss M. Rollo 1. Mrs. Wingate 2, Mrs. Rayner 3. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs. Weston, Mrs. Watson, an! Miss N. Rollo.