PETONE TOWNSWOMEN

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 284, 26 August 1940, Page 4

PETONE TOWNSWOMEN

At tlie August meeting of the Petone branch of the New Zealand Union of Townswomen’s Guilds (Inc.), Mrs. James Pow, Dominion president, and Mrs. 11. Kinsman were present. Members’ work for refugee children was displayed, showing a large assortment of well-made garments whicti were presented to Mrs. Pow by the president, Mrs. C. G. Noble, for the Lady Galway Patriotic Guild. The garments were judged by an expert, Miss Melhuish, a prize for the best article being awarded to Mrs. F. Tompkins. The prize was £5 worth of groceries, donated by Mr. B. Sutherland. Mrs. Pow paid high tribute to the consistent work carried on by the branch and all the guilds since the outbreak of the war, and stated that 3200 articles had been made by the Townswomen’s Guild before the inauguration of the Lady Galway Guild and 4000 since. A play was presented by members of the Petone Free Kindergarten Mothers’ Club, glees by the guild choir, under the baton of Mrs. E. Gould; vocal items were contributed by Mrs. E. Fox, and violin solos by Mrs. W. Nicholls. Mrs. E. J. Brownie was the accompanist.

Work of Central W.D.F.L’. There was a large attendance at the monthly meeting of the Wellington branch of the W.D.F.U., held recently at Dominion headquarters, The Terrace. Three new members were welcomed by the president, Mrs. S. I’. Middleton. A well-organized bring-and-buy stall was conducted by Mrs. H. S. Brookman, a vice-president, who was assisted by Mrs. G. P. Middleton and Mrs. 11. A. Bayliss. Mrs. Brookman gave beautiful Howers from her garden and there were also pickles, jams and cakes from members. The sale realized the satisfactory sum of £5, which was to be donated to rest home funds. Mrs. Castles gave recitations. The branch was taking an active part in all war work, it was reported. Knitting was being done as well as help given to the Lady Galway Patriotic Guild, Merchant Seamen, Red Cross and A.N.A. Club. Regular sewing for necessitous cases among W.D.F.U. countrywomen, all over the country was not being forgotten. Members sent parcels and reading matter to Terawhiti coastal guards, these being gratefully acknowledged, once with a charming painting by one of the men. 'This had been placed in the members’ room. Another sphere of service was given by the branch’s representative, Mrs. G. S. Davidson, a vice-president on the Wellington Hospital auxiliary.