WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 190, 10 May 1938, Page 16

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

The Southern Wellington Federation Despite heavy showers of rain, members from far and near gathered at Kimberley Hall for the annual council meeting of. Southern Wellington Federation of Women’s Institutes, and were rewarded witli warm hospitality and a most inspiring da.t. Mrs. Hume, who presided, expressed the appreciation of all concerned at the arrangements made for comfort particularly in the supply, of cars to and from the Levin railway station. Au unexpected, but nevertheless welcome, guest, was Mrs. Kelso, Dominion organiser, who, later in the day, spoke inspiringly of the work being done by the movement among the Maoris in the north and the efforts being made to ameliorate conditions and to promote education. .Delightful "sweet posies’’ were presented to the officers and members of the executive committee by Mrs. Pickering, president of Jfimberley Women’s Institute. Greetings and good wishes were also conveyed by Mrs. McLeavy, provincial president of the W.D.F.U., on behalf of the sister organisation. Satisfaction was expressed at the annual report and balance-sheet, submitted by Mrs. White Scott, secretary-treasurer. In speaking to the former, Mrs. Hume dwelt on the institute spirit which had made possible the fine results of the year's working, and laid stress on the need for bringing that spirit into all spheres of life, so that by its agency members become better home-makers and better citizens-. She paid tribute to Miss Stocker’s work in connection witli drama schools, to the work of the committee, especially the secretary, Mrs. White .Scott, and . the work of the organising secretaries of the recent handcraft exhibition, Mesdames Boxthorne and Gibson Young. It was decided to replace the drama festival this year by a tableau and choral competition. Congratulations to the winners in the recent crafts exhibition were cordially expressed. On the motion of Paekakariki Women’s Institute, it was unanimously decided to approach the Railways Department with a view to. improving the service between Levin and Wellington and intermediate stations, and to submit certain suggestions to the department for consideration. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mrs. Hume (elected unopposed)-; vice-presidents, Mrs. Tabor, Mrs. Gibson Young; secretary, Mrs. IV. Scott: Pi-ess correspondent, Mrs. Wright; committee, Miss Cotter, Mesdames McLean, Scott, Synnott, Thorpe, Tabor, Wright, and Gibson Young. A social hour, with a wordless play, competitions and songs by Mesdames L. Thompson and Robertson, was much enjoyed, as was the afternoon tea. served by Kimberley members.