Women's Division of The Farmers’ Union.

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 58, 22 May 1935, Page 4

Women's Division of The Farmers’ Union.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE.

THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD.

FRANKLIN LADIES HONOURED. The annual meeting of the Waitemata provincial executive of the women’s division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in the Farmers’ Trading Company board room last wee];. Sixty delegates were present, representing 2d branches of the executive. Mrs M. G. Orr vice-president, presided.

An outline of a programme to be arrange 1 m connection with a countrygirls’ education week, to be held in Auckland during the fourth week in June, was given by Mr/s I-lendcson. The course is to be open to the families of all members of Waitemata executive branches, and Mrs Mitchell announced tbai the Auckland branch would arrange hospitality for all girls desiring such. A letter from the Soldiers’ Civil Reestablishment League, requesting assistance in disposing of handicraft articles made by returned soldiers, was referred to branches for their individual decision. A remit from the Auckland branch: “That the women’s division of the Farmers’ Union should strongly support the appeal of the Returned Soldiers’ Association for hospital comforts for the less fortunate returned soldiers who are now inmates of the mental hospital, the Auckland infirmary and the public hospital,” was passed for submission to the July Dominion conference. An appeal was also made for comforts for mental hospital patients. Helping New Branches. The annual report of the president, Mrs Noel P. Adams, who is at present abroad, was read by the. secretary. Mrs Adams commented on the rapid growth of the executive, and made a plea for the sympathetic nursing of new branches during their first few months, stating that the setting up of groups within the executive should be of great help in this direction. The general secretary, Mrs L. Wells, reported that the number of branches affiliated to the executive had increased to 31. the total membership now being approximately 1100. The housekeeping report was presented by the housekeeping secretary, Mrs D. M. Bryan, who stated that 65 applications for housekeepers had been filled. The executive had employed six housekeepers, two probationer housekeepers, and a maternity nurse, and engagements filled had totalled 222 weeks. During the year housekeepers had been sent to 17 branches of the executive. Twenty-two members bad received the benefit of a 40 per cent reduction in housekeepers' wages since the inauguration of special Waitemata housekeeping scheme last August. The amount paid out in subsidies had been v more than covered by donations from branches, the credit balance of the fund now standing at £lO3. Splendid service had been given by all housekeepers. It wag decided that the executive should, for certain social and educational purposes. be divided into groups, with an executive vice-president for each group.

Officers elected :—President, Mrs Noel P. Adams (re-elected unopposed) : vice-presidents. Mrs C. A. Shaw (north), Mrs J. T. F. Mitchell (central). Mrs R. C. Clark (Pukekohe and westwards), Mrs M. G. Orr (south); genera] secretary, Mrs L. Wells; housekeeping secretary, Mrs D. M. Bryan; treasurer. Mrs R. C. Clark; housekeeping treasurer, Mrs Dyer; organiser. Mrs Osbaldiston; executive Press reporter. Mrs Clark; group reporters. Mrs Naughton (north), Mrs R. S. .Tudson (central), Miss M. Costar (west) and Mrs K. D. Orr (south).

WAIAU PA BIRTHDAY. The third annual birthday celebrations rtf the Waiau Pa branch of the women’s division were held recently, there being a record attendance of members and friends. Visiting members were present from Patumahoe, Mauku. Karaka. Pukekohe branches, and Glenbrook Women’s Institute. After the singing of the National Anthem, the president, Mrs H. G. Kettle, welcomed the visitors. Appreciated items were given by Mrs Cossey. Misses Eileen Clark, M. Volz and P. Bell. The feature of the afternoon tea was the beautiful birthday coke made and iced by Mrs Kettle. Two points prizes were presented to the winners of competitions held during the year, : namely, Mrs Volz (18 points] and Mrs Fausett (17 points). t The competitions for the'afternoon proved most interesting, a record number of entries being received. Results were: — Sponge sandwich: Mrs Fausett 1, Mrs Gibson 2. Posy: Mrs Gearon 1, Mrs Costar 2. Thrift article: Mrs Kettle 1, Mrs Cronin 2. Knitted article: Mrs Cossey 1, Miss Costar 2 j

THE PUNI BRANCH. There was a good attendance at the May meeting of the Puni W.D.F.U. The roll call response was, “Biscuit recipes,” and many useful suggestions

were given. A competition for Mosaic pottery was won by Miss D. Fallows, and one for a mat from scraps of waste material was won by the president, Mrs Preece. An interesting demonstration on beaten copper ware was given by Miss D. Fallows. It was decided to hold a dance on May 22. Mr T. H. Midgley and a violinist from Auckland are supplying the music. The hostesses for the afternoon were Mrs Copsey and Mrs Pritchard.