WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 199, 20 May 1941, Page 4

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Southern Federation Council Meeting

The annual council meeting of the Southern Federation of Women’s Institutes was held In Paraparaumu and was attended by representatives of 15 institutes. A bus load, of institute members from the Hutt Valley also attended as visitors.

Mrs. Smart, president of tlie hostess branch, Paraparaumu, tmd Mrs. Synott, president of the federation, welcomed the delegates and visitors.

Tlie secretary’s report showed that tlie institutes had had a very busy year working for patriotic objectives, mostly knitting and making up patriotic parcels, and also sending parcels to members’ sous with the forces overseas.

It was decided that the holding of singing and drama festivals during the year would prove beneficial in various \fays, so arrangements are being made accordingly. Mrs. Synott congratulated the institutes on their excellent work during the past year. The afternoon was spent socially. Items included a play-read-ing by Otaki members, entitled “The Sad Affair in Mangle Street.” Flowers were presented to tlie president of the federation and tlie Hutt Valley federation, also to tlie secretary, and shoulder-sprays to the executive members. A box of flowers was sent to tlie Dominion president, Miss Amy Kane, who was not able to attend the meeting. Mrs. Wrignt (retiring treasurer) was presented with a “good service badge” and a fruit dish in appreciation of her work. Mrs. Hume and Mrs. Robinson (retiring members) were also presented with gifts. The new committee was elected as follows: —President, Mrs. Synott (Otaki) ; secretary, Mrs. Powell (Levin) ; treasurer, Mrs. S. Staples (Manakau) ; committee, Mrs. Bilcliff (Otaki), Mrs. Bryant (Kimberley); Mrs. McDermid (Plimmerton) ; Mrs. Stewart (Ihakara), Miss Stocker (Paraparaumu) and Mrs. Tabor (I’orouta wliao).