OTAGO WOMEN’S CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 24004, 1 October 1941, Page 10

OTAGO WOMEN’S CLUB

CIVIC CIRCLE At the annual meeting of the Civic Circle the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Chairwoman, Mrs W. B. Taverner; vice-chairwoman, Mrs W. Porteous; secretary and treasurer, Miss A. M. Andrew; committee—Mesdames Hill, Dennis, Young, Mowatt, and Miss Lane. These, with Mesdames Bain, M‘Gregor, and Miss .Reith, form, the full committee. At the monthly meeting of the circle Mrs Taverner made feeling reference to the passing away of the club’s esteemed secretary, Miss Nicolson. The members expressed their sympathy in the usual manner. The speaker for the afternoon was Dr M'Kinnon, who gave an interesting and informative talk on the work of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children. The speaker told of the formation of the society over 40 years ago in Dunedin, and traced its development up to the present-day. Dr M'Kinnon is the only original member. The speaker then gave an account of the reforms the society had worked for and obtained in connection with women and children in their homes, in factories, etc. Mention was also made of the reforms the society is now trying to bring about to further improve the conditions under which women and children live. The speaker also told of the work performed by the secretary in dealing with various cases, and mentioned that Lady Stout was the first hon. secretary; but, now that the work has grown to such an extent, the office is a paid one. Mrs Porteous, in thanking Dr M'Kinnon for her instructive talk, praised the work of the society.