FINE DISPLAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 81, 6 April 1938, Page 5

FINE DISPLAY

MANY HANDCRAFTS

COMBINED WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

c Ingenuity, slaill, and the capacity! r for infinite patience—these are the . salient features of the display of hand- - crafts being exhibited at St. Francis1 - flail this week by the combined fedi. erations of the Hutt Valley and Southern Wellington Women's Institutes. The exhibition was opened last night by Mrs. Peter Fraser. It is the first 1 time.in seven years that such a colla--2 boration has been made by the insti- *" tutes, and the selected work of well *"" over 800 women, some of them mern--2 bers of branches at Levin arid Foxton, 1 makes a very fine display. t WORK EULOGISED. _ Mrs. Fraser, who was introduced to ;, a large gathering of members and t friends by Mrs. J. Hume (president of " the Southern Wellington Federation), . spoke warmly of the wonderful work c the institutes were doing. She eulo--2 gised the ideals of the movement and j the fine co-operative spirit of service, mentioning particularly the valuable ! effect it had upon Maori women. _ Through their membership they were j taught the responsibilities of mother- . hood, and came to a finer understand- ] ing of their value in their homes and i in the community. Their wider knowi ledge was demonstrated in their chil- , dren who were often taken to meetings t and who were always clean and neatly ; clad in the dainty clothes their '[ mothers had made. s In conclusion, Mrs. Fraser spoke of s the youth problem among the Maoris and the bad effects of the drinking habit on the younger generation. She was sure that the Women's Institutes would be doing much towards lessening this disquieting state of affairs. Another speaker on the subject of the evils of drink was Mrs. T. C. A. Hislop, Mayoress of Wellington, who deplored the habit'as one which 'was ■'- bad for the young people both pakeha and Maori. She appealed to the women to unite, and to fight a problem which was both urgent and vital. She spoke in praise of the work of the institutes, and particularly of the exhibit 3 tion, which she found most interesting. A bouquet was presented to' Mrs. _ Fraser, and sprays to Mrs. Hislop and ', Mrs. Hume by Pamela Summers. Others present were Mrs. Heathcote, s president of the Hutt Valley Federation, who thanked the speakers, and I Mrs. Hawthorn who represented a kindred association, the Women's Division "* of the Farmers' Union, and who also 1 spoke. i • NOVEL EXHIBITS. . The hall is divided into courts or 3 stalls, each of which is arranged by various branches of the institute with "* exhibits from their own members. The > centre of the room is occupied by a E group' of "windows," each displaying » home-made jams, preserves, sweets, i soaps, and other household commodi- ! ties. Here again, each is the work of one branch and its members. The exhibits comprise rather a rebmarkable display of ingenuity and out i'standing craftsmanship brought about ■ 'by the co-ordination of clever minds •and nimble fingers and by the expenditure of much time and patience. Be<iides metalwork and the more usual samples of embroidery and knitting, much that is unusual is on view. Scraps of all kinds of materials, from string to old pieces of felt, have been ultilised with startling results. Papier ■mnche work is a feature of the exhibii it. tin. Among the most novel articles dli.-aplayed are baskets made from varnished watsonia leaves, and woven pme "neiEdles, exquisitely-worked baby frocks rriside from flour bags, and string containers from coconut shells. _ It is revealing to see the uses to which an old felt hat can be put—mocassins, children's slippers, tea-cosies and kettle holders, toys, handbags, all perfectly made and finished. Some branches featmre book-binding in their courts, and, others toy animals equal in appeara'vnce * and quality to the factorymade , article. One woman who _ spun her oiivn wool knitted it up.into jumpers an\d pull-overs. Others show dainty bed-jackets, soft shawls, and knitted frocks;.CVTHER KINDS OF WORK. But 'ihe exhibition is not confined to needlework and. other such handcrafts. In sorm* stalls waterproofing for sleep-ing-bagtV and other articles. indispensable to tramping and camping equip : ment is featured, and in others Maori carving !holds pride of place. The papier-mache work is excellent, and one of the finest examples of the craft is a'stately galleon, which stands with -sails, spread, and is accurate to the last detail. Lifelike Maori heads and dolls;' are. shown, but the "crowning masterpiece is a statuette of Christ which is portrayed with infinite sympathy and : grace. Gloves made from fine leather1 and matching a worked leather puise, mats and, rugs from scraps of old clothing and wool, huge ' tablecloths .handsomely crocheted and involving ' ltnany . months of labour, paua shell brnaments, cushions, eiderdowns pokei'work, paintings, pottery, all perfect _ln their own particular w;ay, are to be seen on every hand. Clocks,""mounted and finished with intricate designs",, are exhibited in severalplaces, and a; lovely fan, with a mother-of-pearl handle, is noteworthy. The uses to which common, everyday articles can be put are evidenced by a> round hand mirror, which, though •■ it has every appearance of being fsi.Ctory-made, so well is it finished, is in reality a cheap and humble ping-pong bat, very much disguised. FOR COUNTRY LARDERS. A separate display is made of conserves and other household goodspreserved and bottAed beans, honey in the comb, professional-looking chocolates and other sweets, pickles, soaps, polishing waxes, hand and hair lotions, butter, pickled cranberries, and preserved fruit, clear j.ellies, jams, and every conceivable es'itable which can be kept or bottled are on view. The Newlands b.canch of the Women's Institute was awarded first prize for its "window" in this section, and second place was given Manakau, with Taita third. The best "court" was judged "with Taita, 1; Tawa Flat, 2; Manakau, '3. Luncheon tables for four people arid costing not more thw 4s, are. interesting exhibits, and for their originality aiid attractive outlay are not. excelled by anything else in the exhibition. The judges, Mrs. Bamicoat (Feilding). and Mrs. W. G. Short, awarded first place to Belmont for its "bridal" table, .with Manakau second and Stokes Valley third. For those to whom the Women's Institute is merely a name or who know very little of the fine organisation of the body, it will be well worith while paying a visit to St. Francis Hall. The display will continue until Friday, and contains much to see and appraise. The courage and determination, the ; patience and the zeal, and the -.fine use ■ that lonely country women have put to their free hours are assembled -in j a display that has not been equalled for many years in Wellington. . A motion of condolence with; the relatives of the late Mr. W. T. iWynyard was passed by the management committee of the Wellington Engby Union last night,