Activities of the Women’s Institute.

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 58, 22 May 1935, Page 5

Activities of the Women’s Institute.

MAY MEETINGS HELD. THE BOMBAY BRANCH. NEW FEATURES INTRODUCED. The May meeting of the Women’s Institute was held on Tuesday afternoon of last week, when the warm sunny day brought out a record attendance of members. The president, Mrs H. J. Flay, was in the chair. The meeting opened with the institute song. After the business was disposed of, the members answered the popular roll call with a limerick. A new feature for the year was introduced —the programme for the meetings being arranged by three different members each month, who can provide any entertainment they desire. The committee feels sure that the personal interest in the arrangements of the programmes as well as the curious expectancy of the other members, will prove very helpful to the standard of entertainment as well as to the attendance.

Mrs H. Carter, Mrs J. James and Mrs Masefield were in charge of the programme. Mrs James demonstrated "Daisy” knitting and a new way of mending socks.

Mrs Masefield was in charge of a quoits competition, the winners of which were Mrs R. Evans and Mrs J. B. McKinney. Mrs 11. Carter arranged a grocery list competition. This was won by Mrs A. Peterson and Mrs Johnson. Each winner was presented with a dainty little gift. The monthly competition, “a handkerchief made from a salt bag" was keenly contested and a very fine standard of work was displayed in white and dyed hankies. The result was: Mrs T. Henderson first,'Mrs A. Brown second, Mrs James, Mrs H. Carter and Mrs A. J. Whitehead third. The hostesses for the afternoon were Mrs A. ,T. Brown, Mrs H. Bingham, Mrs R. Parker and Mrs R. Reynolds.

Fourth Birthday Celebrated. The fourth birthday of the Bomaby Women’s Institute was celebrated in the Bombay hall on Friday evening last, when in spite of inclement weather conditions there was a large attendance of guests and • the general public. A short concert programme, opening with the National Anthem was presented. Community singing,‘led by Mr A. ,T. and Miss Joyce Whitehead, with Mrs Tubbs at the piano, set things going with a swing. ; A monologue entitled “Happy Though Married,” given by Mrs N. Stuart of Paparata, evoked a storm of applause. Mrs Stuart obliged with an encore. Songs were given by Mrs E. Trace of Paparata, and Mr W. Bright of Pukekohe, who were recalled again and again A sketch entitled “Mistaken Identity,’

was presented by Miss V. Legge and Miss N. Long, members of the Drury women’s division, and proved very popular. During the evening the president. Mrs 11. J. Flay, welcomed guests from the Buckland, Rama-rama and Tuakau institutes and from the Drury and Pukekohe East women’s divisions, the Ararimu and Pukekohe institutes sent apologies for absence, arid best wishes for a successful function. Many institute members from other branches sent apologies. The bi-annual conference in Auckland, held on the same day, prevented their attendance.

Mrs Flay recited the aims and work

of the institute in witty prose, with many humorous twits at the expense of "the men’s associations. The cutting of the beautiful cake with its four candles concluded the concert programme.

A dainty supper was then served by the members, after which dancing was enjoyed by young and old. Excellent music was provided by Mr T. H. Midgley of Pukekohe. THE RAMARAMA BRANCH. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS. The birthday party of the Ramarama Women’s Institute was celebrated on May 9 in the hall, when the building was taxed to its utmost capacity, over 300 being present. Representatives were present from the following: Mercer. Pukekohe East, ■Drury and Pukekohe W.D.F.U., and Hunua, Ararimu, Bombay, Pukekohe, Tuakau. Papakura and Buckland institutes. The programme was opened with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the president (Mrs W. ,T. D. Sharp) extended a very hearty welcome to all the members of the different visiting branches. Those contributing to the programme were: Songs by Mrs Morgan, Mrs Mevenberg and Miss Vaughan: elocutionary items by Miss Shirley Wood and Miss Molly Vaughan; pianoforte solos by Miss A. McKay and Mr Bert Snedden. A humorous Irish recitation was contributed by Mrs Barrett. Mr H. C. Baulf of Papakura, also sang. Two members of the Drury division, Mesdames Draper and Mason, gave a sketch that caused much amusement and was greatly appreciated. Five members of the local institute staged a playlet entitled “The Paying Guest,” which was much enjoyed and showed that it had been carefully prepared, and fully rehearsed to have been rendered in such a capable manner.

The president expressed the thanks of the institute members to all who had contributed to the programme or helped in any way to make the function such an outstanding success. A dainty supper was served by the members, after which the hall was cleared for dancing.