SIDE BY SIDE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 133, 2 December 1941, Page 4

SIDE BY SIDE

WAR WORK. AND NORMAL

ACTIVITIES

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES KEPT

BUSY

Recent meetings of women's institutes in all parts' of Wellington show thai members have been spending a great deal of time on wai work, and that knitting tor men of the Merchant Navy has been specially featured. While the importance of all forms of war work has been stressed, the instructional work that is such a feature of the institutes has been maintained, and members have carried on as much as possible with their usual routine. • There was an excellent attendance at the recent Levin meeting, when the president welcomed members and visitors, and also eight new members, and spoke in regret of the loss of two valu- | able members, Mrs. Aim and Miss Aim, who had leit the district to reside in Palmerston North Before leaving. Miss Aim was the recipient of a gift from the music circle, of which she had been a keen member. Miss Cheesman received a presentation from the committee in appreciation of her work during her term of office as treasurer. Mrs. Inglis was appointed treasurer until the annual meeting A letter was received from the Mayor thanking members for their recent effort for E.PS funds; £20 had been handed over. Mrs Powell especially thanked Mrs. Hewitt, who had trained the children for the dances and marches. Mrs Roy Williams, the accompanist, Mr Kenneiiey, who iced . the Christmas cake, and Mr. Irving, who was doorkeeper. The usual annual donation was sent to the Makogai leper fund It was decided to send a Christmas cake to the link institute in England The usual collection was taken up for the soldiers' parcels fund, and wool was distributed for knitting. Mrs. Blake, who demonstrated the making of organdie and velvet flowers, was presented with a posy. FOR THE MERCHANT NAVY. At Stokes Valley good reports were made on the patriotic work done during the month. Results from a competition for the best knitted khaki skull cap are to be enclosed in soldiers' parcels. Mrs. Kehoe described her experiences as a nursing sister in Belgium during the last war. A "bring-and-buy" table produced £2 17s 6d. Items were given by the singing circle, and the committee produced the "mime" which won the brass vase at the recent half-yearly council meeting at Newlands. Much patriotic work is done by members at Otaki, and as the W.W.S.A. has been inaugurated in the district, members were invited to link up with the organisation. Letters from men of the forces overseas were read at the meeting, and an instructive address on women's organisations in Canada and the U.S.A. was given by Miss Hazel Johnson, of Massey College. Mr. S. Williams, tutor of adult education, exhibited at the recent meeting at Johnsonville a hand-made basket and rag rugs made by southern institutes. He also demonstrated spinning. Mrs. Wright; president, presided, and Mrs. Fitt gave an excellent report ofl the recent bi-annual, council meeting. Members are busily knitting for men of the Merchant Navy, and also doing other patriotic work. At Taita several pullovers, scarves, mittens, and gloves were handed in for the Merchant Navy. Members of the sewing circle are engaged in making children's garments for overseas. A report of the council meeting at Newlands was given by Mrs. Wilson. Several members arranged to take t advantage of a tour this month sponsored by the group travel scheme. The monthly collection for soldiers' parcels met with a good response. Gifts were sent to the Makogai lepers, and a donation of £ 1 Is. Members of the madrigal circle provided an excellent programme. IN THE HUTT VALLEY. Mrs. A- Bennett, at the Belmont meeting, gave a comprehensive report of the recent council meeting, and stated'that Belmont had scored second place, equal with Wainui-o-mata, in the recent "mime" competition. Members decided to send a further contribution to the federation typewriter fund. Skull caps and pullovers for the Merchant Navy were handed in. For the benefit of new me.mbers, .Mrs. Spencer, V.0., gave an account of the formation of an institute. Good wishes were extended to the speaker and other members for their trip to Mount Cook, organised by the president, Miss Maddever, for the Travel Group Association. Mrs. H. Dimond and Mrs. H. Isherwood were winner and runner-j up respectively of Mrs. Sandlant's bridge contest. The gardening circle j and other members had, spent all: en-1! joyable afternoon recently in visiting the garden of Mrs. Hardwick Smith, where they were entertained at afternoon tea. Members at Porirua • showed keen interest in a new war work, knitted pullovers for men of the Merchant] Navy- The meeting was well attended and items were given by members, of! the glee circle. Nineteen parcels for soldiers overseas were packed at the j homes of Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. vTohnston. A good report of the patriotic work done during the month was given at the Hutt Valley meeting. Ten Christmas parcels had been packed for men overseas, and each parcel contained a woollen article knitted by a member. Two navy knitted pullovers were also dispatched. Mrs. Bennet. president of the Hutt Valley Federation, gave a talk on the aims and objects of the women's institute and the, procedure followed in opening an institute. Mrs. Jones, president, read an interesting report of the council meeting of the Hutt Valley Federation, which was held recently.