Activities of the Women's Institute.

Franklin Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 31, 20 March 1939, Page 5

Activities of the Women's Institute.

THE BUCKLAND BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING HELD PAST YEAR IN REVIEW PROGRESS REPORTED The president, Mrs A. F. Hewitt, presided at the annual meeting of the Buckland Women’s Institute, there being a good attendance.

The president in a review of past year’s operations stated that the year started with 37 members and ended with 32, due to a number of valuable workers having left the district. It was with regret that Hie death of a foundation member was recorded. The treasurer's report was satisfactory. Help had been sent to the orphan Chinese and to the lepers at Makogai. The institute’s birthday party and a .number of other social functions proved highly successful. A fancy dress party and Christmas tree for the children of the district was a pronounced success. The flower show held last week was outstanding, it being one of Ihe best exhibitions seen at Buckland. A table of work at the conference last May was highly commended and an exhibit at the arts and craft exhibition in October was much admired. Interesting talks were given by the Rev. A. E. Prebble on Bishop Selwyn; Mrs C-. C. Revell on the conference in Wellington; Miss Piggot on the training of children; Mrs N. R. McElwain on the Maoris; Mrs Landon on home nursing; Miss Morrin gave a demonstration on copper work; Mrs D. Roulston, buttonholes and tailor’s bits and pieces. The garden circle had a large membership and enjoyed the monthly visits to each others homes where ideas on growing flowers were exchanged. In the competitions for flowers Mrs Butcher was first, Mrs C. Deed second and Mrs Schofield third. The general competitions resulted: Miss Piggot 1, Mrs Rich 2, Mrs Richings 3. The branch could not visit its little sister’s birthday party in July as the weather was unfavourable. The branch’s English link at Sonning on the Thames had sent some very interesting letters and snaps. Mrs Hewitt thanked the secretary, the committee and all who had helped with the institute work, Mr Barber who had audited the books and the Press for its reports.

The Ideals of the Institute Mrs Hewitt, as retiring president, expressed a hope that members in tilth* activities and competitions, would not lose sight of the high ideals of the institute. The most important things of any institute were the feeling of goodwill and sociability, the wish to strive to understand and help one another. Mrs Hewitt wished the incoming president and committee every success.

The election of officers resulted: — President, Mrs C. Butcher; vice-presi-dents, Mrs Craigh and’ Mrs Lewis: secretary, Mrs Richings (re-elected) ; treasurer, Miss Piggot (re-elected) , committee, Mesdames Hewitt, Holland, Hendry, Schofield, Steele, Craig, Graham, King, Lewis, Richings, Seeley, Lloyd and Miss Piggot; trading table, Mrs King and Mrs Osmond; competitions, flowers, Mrs Graham and Mrs Deed; blackboard and music, Mrs Hewitt; transport, Mrs Lewis; stamps, Mrs Holland; tea list, Mrs Schofield, reporter, Mrs Butcher. The flower competitions for the day resulted: Pompom zinnias, Mrs Schofield first for pompom zinnias, large zinnias, marigolds and also second in hows of dahlias; Mrs Hewitt was first in the latter. Afternoon tea was served by Mesdames Rich and Prat ten. Mrs Butcher thanked the hostesses for the day.

THE BOMBAY BRANCH EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING MRS W. HOLMES PRESIDENT The eighth annual general meeting of the Bombay Women’s Institute was held last weelc, the president, Mrs J. Rudd, presiding over a good attendance of members. In presenting the annual report the c-ceretary Mrs A. Brown, stated that the year opened with a membership of 33 and closed with 32 'financial members, the average attendance being 2 °The Institute had lost four members ,luring mo yw, two of Whom h»« passed to their rest and two had lelt the district. , , Two big meetings had been nek during the year. The birthday party was a very happy one and membeis were pleased to welcome si&lei . • Ul tes and division members on that 01 The°annual flower show was a marked Success, the entries exceeding those of any previous year. The hi o n standard of entries elicited very tavourable comments from the' • }UC^® S ' The Institute’s entry at the liank bn A. and P. show gained fifth place. The institute forwarded a letter of hearty congratulations to Pukekohe Tr statute Pukekawa W.D., Ramarama WJ., and Karaka W.D. The members had attended group meetings at Pukekohe and Tuakau. Delegates had attended the Dominion conference

and the annual and bi-annual council meetings at Auckland and all brought hack excellent reports. Demonstrations had been varied throughout the year and travel talks by Mrs W. H. McKinney of Auckland, on Papua, Mrs W. A. Peterson on Australia, and Mr Greener on Egypt, were enjoyed by all. The Institue had been pleased to help the leper station and the hospital auxiliary with gifts for the patients.

A warm tribute was paid to the treasurer, Mrs A. J. Browne, for her untiring help; to Mrs Ramsey, Press correspondent; Mrs Holmes, librarian; Mrs Grant, “bring and buy” table; Mrs Reynolds, competitions, and to all members for their generous support on every occasion. The Press was heartily thanked for its faithful reports. also Mr Mooney, the auditor. The president, in moving the adoption of the report, thanked the vicepresidents, Mrs J. B. McKinney and Mrs A. Ingram, for their help and encouragement through the year, also the secretary, Mrs A. Brown and the treasurer, Mrs A. J. Browne, for their willing service, and to all members., of the committee. Bouquets were presented to Mrs Rudd, Mrs A. Brown and Mrs A. J. Browne by Mrs Ramsey with the love and esteem of the members. The financial statement showed a substantial credit balance. ’ Officers for the year were elected as follows: —

President, Mrs W. Holmes; vicepresidents, Mrs J. Rudd and Mrs A. Brown; secretary, Mrs R. Lowrie; treasurer, Mrs G. Gaskell: committee, Mrs Aber'crombie, Mrs G. Hartley, Mrs A. J. Browne, Airs P. Frazer, Mrs J. Lawrence, Mrs R. Reynolds. The points prize for the year was won by Airs R. Lowrie, with Mrs Gaskell, Airs Rudd and Mrs A. Brown tieing for second place, and Airs A. <l. Browne, Airs C. Hartley and Airs Ingram for third. A delicious afternoon tea was served by Airs W. Holmes and Mrs G. Gaskt.ll.