WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 April 1938, Page 5

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

I WEST COAST EEDERATIOX. • _ | Despite the inclement weather, today. there was an attendance of over 2f>i) members of the various branches, at the annual meeting of the West (.’oast Federation of Women’s Institutes. held in Trinity Ifall. Mrs l ; ‘assett. of Hokitika, presided. A eoinpvc-hensi ve and interesting display was on view of goods made by Institute members. The proceedings were opened by the singing of the Institute song, and this was followed by the reading of the "Ast irations” by Mrs Mclntyre. The President, said that she was pleased to see snob a large and representative attendance, and she welcomed those present. She announced the resignation of Mrs McKay (Hari Hari). ex-president and office-holder, who had given wonderful service. Her resignation had been made necessary owing to her husband's illness. Another resignation regretted exceedingly was that of Mrs Peebles (Ross), owing to business reasons. She had been a. wonderful executive member, and had acted as secretary for the past two years. The position of secretary was difficult, and she would he hard, to replace. Mrs Swan had succeeded Mi’s McKay on the executive. T he President introduced other members of the executive, including Mesdames Meade, Rankin, Tilleyshort, and Mclntyre (voluntary organisers). She apologised for the absence of Mrs Patterson, whose husband was absent in Australia, on R-S.A. business. The balance-sheet, read by Mrs McIntyre, showed a credit of L3/S/5. Tho President said they had met all liabilities to the Dominion Federation. and were not in debt. A competition arranged by the executive had raised £5/10/-. and had “saved them Irom banki uptcy." She hoped that Institutes would do their best to help rhe Federation in the coming year. The Secretary. Mrs Peebles, presented the fifth annual report of the executive for the year ending April. 1935. The Committee had met. eight times in Greymouth. During the year the President and members visited as (ar as funds permitted, several Institutes deriving benefit. The broadcasting session still proved interesting and entertaining, and all who took i art were to i.e congratulated. Two delegates were sent to the round-table conference in July. Institutes were thanked for their prompt replies to correspondence; affiliation fees ami donations; also iho Hokitika W.l. for organising a drama festival. Airs Swan was appointed to rill ilia vacancy caused by the resignation of Airs McKay (president of the Hari Hari Institute for a number of years). Thanks were expressed to Airs Bassett for her help and guidance during the year. Membership of the 29 In-f.-titutes was being well maintained, and they were doing their best to make life in the country educative and attractive.

The Secretary's report was adopted, on the motion or the President, seconded by Mrs Oliver. PRESID ENT'S R E VIE W. In a review of the past year's work. Mrs Bassett said that she had noticed by Press reports that the branches had had goo'd annual meetings. In some cases, the “same old President” went back year after year. Members did not want to part with good presidents, but such an attitude almost amounted to selfishness. They should not. keep a president in office until she was very tired. Members should take such an interest in their Institutes that they would look forward to occupying the president’s chair. They should all try to lit themselves for office, and thus take a greater interest in the Institutes. Members should not, however, put undue pressure on any member to take office, as every woman knew the amount of time she could spare from her home, which should come first. It must be remembered that members, although they did not take a spectacular part, were still vital to the Institutes. One of the best interests for women, outside the home, was the Institute. She pointed out that the members of each small Institute were .members of a world-wide organisation. The District Federation was there to assist, the small Institutes. In New Zealand alone, there were approximately .85(1 Institutes, comprising about 40.001) women- If they were all pledged to support one great cause, “what a mob of them! ' It was an inspuiring thought. There were Women’s Institutes to the uttermost ends of Ihe earth, even in China. Mrs Bassett said she hoped that the Institutes were pleased with their year’s work. Even if they were not satisfied', that was also'good, because they could sort out their mistakes, and make a fresh start to get better results. Suggestions would be welcomed by the District Federation, from the various Institutes, and the Federation was ready to help them in every possible way. Personally, said Mrs Bassett, she did not. feel particularly satisfied with the work done during the past year. When returned as President, she had hoped to visit every Institute, but had 1 not been able to do so. Only Qno tour had been possible. Mrs Appleton and herself had visited Inangahua Junction, Crqnadun, Reefton, and Ngahere, and ' she believed that, their visits were appreciated. Mrs Appleton’s, demonstrations created much interest. The speaker’s part

was to speak on finance, and she received a patieri’t hearing. As a result cf these meetings, the Institutes gained a better understanding of the needs of the District and Dominion Federations. As a result of the tour, they felt that they, as well as the Institutes, had benefited. As an instance, Mrs Bassett said that, among the exhibits made to-day, was a beautil ul rug, the work of Mrs Appleton, who saw a similar rug in a home at Reefton. Thrft was an example of tjheir motto, “If you know a good ■thing, pass it on." Airs Stev/art, an ex-president, was now in Africa, and hoped to return next year. She had attended an important meeting in England, and was well received as a New Zealander. Mrs Stewart, was proud to wear in England the honours bauge, having been the first WeSft Coast member to receive it. Airs Bassett said that, the West Coast institutes were lucky to have their wireless session. The Greymouth session had been much envied in ocner districts, and the Dominion Federation had now succeeded in arranging a fortnightly session from 2ZB. Wellington. The wireless was a special way of getting into touch with country members on the West Coast, whom the executive could not visit as much as they would like to do. She was pleased to report that the membership of the 29 Institutes on the West. Coast, was being maintainedThere had been some confusion about, a circular regarding affiliation tees, sent, io Institutes from the,head office at. Wellington. Some Institutes had sent an extra 10/- to Wellington. That, was not required- All money paid should be sent to the West Coast District. Federation, which forwarded it to the Dominion Federation. The circular was rather misleading, and money should not be sent direct, to Wellington. A vote of appreciation was passed to Mrs McKay, for her services. A Runanga member asked whether it was in order for ‘the members of an Instil ute to pass a resolution providing that members must attend personally. io pay their subscriptions. ’1 he President replied that such a resolution would involve an alteration in the rules, and was therefore cut of order. If a. member paid her subscription, she was still a member. « hether she attended meetings or not. Subscriptions need not be paid in person. Alembers could not be compelled to attend meetings, but should be encouraged to do so. Mrs Aleade reported that Sister Stringer intended to return to the district shortly, and requested' Institutes requiring her services to ger. in touch with *the executive. The roll-call was gone through, and delegates presented reports on the work of the various Institutes, on the lines of the monthly reports published in the Press. The election of the executive for the ensuing year resulted: President: Airs. I. Bassett (Hokitika): commit- , tee: Afesdames W. J. Duff (Reefton), G. W. Aleade (Greymouth). R. Patterson (Hokitika), A. Parkhill (Hokitika), Rankin (Moana), P. Swan (Runanga), J. Tilleyshort (Greymouth). The Secretary will be selected from the above committee.

NGAHERE BRANCH. Tbe annual meeting of the Ngahere Women's Institute was held in the hall yesterday, the President presiding over a. full attendance. The meeting opened with the Institute songThe election of officers resulted: — President. Mrs Mulcare; vice-presi-dent, Mis Armstrong; secretary, Mrs Sheehan; treasurer, Mrs Ware. It was decided to hold a bring-and-buy day next month. The competition for May is to be a knitted cuddle toy. 'l'his month’s competitions resulted: Embroidered picture: Mrs Sheehan 1, Mrs Burr 2, Mrs J. Donaldson h-c-Chocolate Marshmallow biscuits: Mrs W are .1, .vlrs Donaldson and Miss V." Ijcnaldson (equal) 2. Afternoon tea was then served by the hostesses, Mrs Sheehan and Mrs Shields, and the meeting closed with the reciting of I lie- aspira I ions. Dili- motto: "Trying lo give other people a good time is one of the surest ways of enjoying yourself-”