QUARTERLY MEETING

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 70, 15 December 1939, Page 4

QUARTERLY MEETING

Manawatu Provincial Women's Division The quarterly meeting of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, Manawatu provincial branch, was held in Levin. Mrs. McLeavy was in the chair, and there was a very good attendance of delegates, every branch being represented. Before business began, a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mrs. H. B. Lethbridge, was carried. Mrs. Lethbridge was a foundation member of the Otaki branch and it was ber unllagging interest which kept this branch alive at a time when it threatened to fail. She was president for many years, and at one time took on the duties of secretary as well. Her death causes a great loss to the W.D.F.U. The provincial committee decided <o carry on with its own house-keeping scheme, so now all donations formerly sent to “Community Chest” should be sent by branches direct to the provincial secretary. A splendid donation of £24, raised by means of a series of card evenings, was received from the Paraparaumu branch. Other donations from different branches have, assured a good beginning for the housekeeping scheme. An interesting account of the first six months of “Kaluga Moe” was read to the delegates, and they were asked to make its attractions known to all country women. The secretary reported that the call for housekeepers had been slack for some time, but that now they were much in demand again. It was decided not to go, on with the dressmaking lessons, insurmountable obstacles having arisen. The various delegates reported the activities of their branches, all showing live interest in the division. Shannon held a Hower show in September, which was a great success both socially and financially, and for which the branch thanked the convener, Mrs. S. W. Barber, and the joint secretaries, Mrs. R. Mullins and Mrs. Campbell. The branch proposes holding a children’s Christmas party and has already raised funds for it by means of a stall. The fAivin branch bad a social afternoon at which Mrs. Sutton gave an interesting talk on,home nursing, and the junior branch gave a play reading. The branch also had a successful flower show, and in connexion with the Farmers’ Union held a series of social evenings which raised £l5 for the rest home fund. Three housekeeping appointments have been filled. The Ohan branch, in conjunction with the Farmers’ Union, held a successful dance. It had a talk on first aid work; one or. the Pan-Pacific work by Miss Seaion. and also one by the local traflic otlicer. Otaki-Te Horo celebrated its twelfth birthday with a large party. A paper prepared by (lie W.E.A. on the preschool child was read and discussed at another meeting, and this proved so interesting that it was decided to read others at future meetings. A donation was made to the Makogai leper fund. The Manakau branch lias made a good start, and great interest is being shown in the work. The junior branch has also been busy and intends holding a garden party early next month.