SOUTH WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 108, 10 May 1938, Page 16

SOUTH WELLINGTON

kimberley, near Levin, wa« the venue of this year's annual council meeting of the South Wellington Federation of Women's Institutes, and thither travelled members from far and near. Cars were provided by local members to convey the visitors to and from the Kimberley Hall—a muchappreciated service. Mrs. Hume presided,. ,and an unexpected but very welcome visitor was Mrs. Kelso (Dominion organiser), who gave an interesting account of the W.I. work among the Maoris of the north. Another visitor was Mrs. McLeavy (provincial president of the W.D.F.U.), who conveyed greetings from her organisation. Executive members each received a novel "sweets" posy at the hands of Kimberly president, - Mrs. Pickering, who welcomed the guests on behalf of her institute. ] The annual report and balance-sheet, presented by Mrs. White Scott (secre-tary-treasurer), was received with satisfaction. In speaking to the former Mrs. Hume alluded to the spirit that had made such successful working possible, and urged that it should continue to be put into daily practice by every member, to the end that all might become • better home-makers and citizens. Nowhere was this spirit more strongly shown, she said, than during the recent handcraft exhibition, which was a fine example of what women could achieve by co-operation. She eulogised the work .of the joint organising secretaries of the exhibition, Mesdames Bonthorne and Gibson Young, and moved a hearty vote of congratulation to the winners and runners-up in the various sections. The motion was carried. It was decided to replace the usual drama festival this year with a "tableaux and choral competition." Paekakariki W.I. was responsible for a resolution dealing with an improvement in the train service between Wellington and Levin and intermediate stations. It was unanimously decided that certain suggestions should be forwarded to the Railway Department for its ■ consideration. Prior to the luncheon adjournment Mesdames Hume and White-Scott were each the recipients of a crystal "witch-bowl" from the committee members,- and Mrs. Neas (an executive member who is leaving the district to reside in Lower Hutt) was given an "institute spoon" as a memento of many happy associations. Votes of sympathy , with several sick members and with flood sufferers in Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay were passed, and all helpers were thanked with acclamation. The ballot for officers resulted in the election of Mrs. Hume as president and of Mesdames McLean, Scott, Synnott, Tabor, Thorpe, Wright, Gibson, Young, and Miss Cotter as the committee. Competitions, a "wordless play," and delightful songs by Mrs. L. Thompson and Mrs. Robertson, followed by afternoon, tea, closed a happy and profitable day.-