DELEGATES CONFER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22318, 1 May 1947, Page 7

DELEGATES CONFER

W.I. MATTERS federation meeting The sixteenth annual meeting of the Poverty Bay Federation of Women’s Institutes was held yesterday in Gisborne a.t the Bon Accord Lounge, Miss Lena Ruru, Te Karaka, presiding. The aspirations were given by Mrs. Mephan. Ruatria, after delegates had sung the Institute song most inspirmgly. In welcoming delegates and friends to the meeting Miss Ruru said that she expressly welcomed any new delegates, and asked them and also all delegates present not to be timid about coming forward with suggestions. “You can help us,” she concluded. Delegates stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to Mrs. Dougal A'llliams. Hawke’s Bay, who recently died, and who was one of the first presidents of the Poverty Bay Federation and a valued foundation member. The minutes of the half-yearly council meeting (held at Ruatoria) were read by Mrs. J. Atkins, Patutahi, secretary, and confirmed. „ Annual Report The followed the annual report which stated that there were now 31 institutes with a membership of 647, showing an increase of 40 members. The Waimata Valley institute, through transport difficulties, had ceased to function and regret at this occurrence was expressed. Apart from affiliation fees the main source of income had been from donations received from institutes, and the credit balance at the end of February was satisfactory. Voluntary organisers visited the Te Puia, Waimata Valley, Tamarau, Patitahi, Otoko, Rakauroa, Motu-Motuhora, Koranga and Ngatapa institutes, and other institutes would be visited in the near future. With the approval of the Dominion executive, the committee re-appointed Mesdames H. Allan, J. Atkins, J. Johnstone and E. Monckton as voluntary organisers and regret that Mrs. F. Humphreys is not available as a V.O. this year and thanks to her for the work she had done was expressed^ During the year the federation, working in conjunction with the W.D.F.U., organised a most successful dressmaking tour throughout the country district, when the tutor, Miss Ince, held 27 classes, 310 pupils being taught. Mrs. J. Johnstone would be the organiser of group travel and hoped to put the scheme into operation in the coming year. Poverty Bay had been well represented at the conference held in Wellington last July—lß delegates and a number of visitors being present. Members of the executive who attended were Mesdames F. Bruce, J. Johnstone, H. Munro, M. Waititi,and J .Atkins. Regret at the retirement of the president and secretary were expressed and best wishes to their successors extended. Thanks were due to Messrs. Bull and Edwards for auditing the accounts, to Mr. Bayliss for acting as teller, to Mr M. J. White for an address on the Chamber of Commerce, to the Press for reports, to Mrs. Menzies for the use of the room and the judges of the competitions. “No Lack of Enthusiasm” Prior to moving the adoption of the report, the president said that it had been a privilege to be president of the Poverty Bay Federation, and she had received nothing but help and encouragement from everyone. It was especially cheering to find that there was no falling off in enthusiasm among members and the activities of institutes spoke volumes for the keenness of individual members. She thought that there was a general realisation amongst countrywomen regarding the good that could come of institute membership. Miss Ruru also paid a sincere tribute to all members of the executive, to Mrs. Atkins, who, in her capacity, as secretary had been “the power behind the curtain,” and who had done a great deal of hard work during the year. Her work had been an inspiration to her as president. The report was adopted. Mrs. J. Johnstone, Patutahi, .treasurer, presented the statement of reecipts and expenditure and the balance sheet of the year, which were received, both disclosing a satisfactory position. She also presented an estimated budget of income and expenditure for the coming year. Mrs. F. E. Humphreys, Ngatapa, congratulated the treasurer on her competent handling of the finances and Miss Ruru also added a similar tribute. Mrs. Johnstone briefly offered thanks for these remarks. ' It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to the firm which audited the accounts and it was recommended that the same firm continue to audit the books. Mrs. Atkins, who was the Dominion councillor from the Poverty Bay Federation to the Dominion Council meeting at Christchurch in February, outlined matters which arose at that meeting for the benefit of delegates. Miss Rees’ Address The guest speaker, Miss Rosemary Rees, was warmly welcomed by the president and spoke of her visit to institutes in England and in Wales and of her experiences in the blitz. She also made a plea for the sending of food parcels to England and outlined the most welcome contents, fats, sugars, tinned meat and milk. At the conclusion of her address she was warmly applauded and thanked by the president who also presented her with a delicate carnation shoulder spray. The incoming executive, comprising Mesdames H. Allan (Te Karaka), F. O. Bruce, P. Barker( Whangara), C. Cox (Manutuke), F. Faram (Otoko), J. Johnstone (Patutahi), Livingstone (Ma-karaka-Matawhero), C. Robscke (Wae-renga-a-hika), M. Waitit (Cape Runaway) and E. Williams (Ruatoria), were then introduced by the retiring president, Miss Ruru, who had elected to stand down from nomination to the new executive. Mrs. E. Monckton (Ngatapa), the incoming president, was given a warm welcome as were her fellow executive members. Mrs. Monckton made a short speech, following which sprays were presented to the retiring president and executive members and special mention made by Miss Ruru of the regret felt by members at the standing down from nomination to the executive of Mrs. H. Lunn (Matawai) who will probably be leaving the district shortly. A presentation was then made to the retiring secretary, Mrs. Atkins, by Miss Ruru, who thanked Mrs. Atkins for her untiring work in connection with the federation and asked her to accept a shoulder spray and a handsome handbag as thanks from members for her work. Mrs. Johnstone, treasurer, also paid a tribute to Mrs. Atkins for her conscientious service to the federation. Mrs. Atkins replied and in turn mentioned that a secretary could not function without the help of the treasurer. She remarked that she would miss the work and the associations that went with it, very much indeed. Mrs. Johnstone was also presented with a spray by the president. Just nreceding the luncheon adjournment, Mrs. Humphreys said that she felt Miss Ruru should be sincerely thanked for her excellent work during the year and her unselfish action in standing down from nomination to the executive this year. Members endorsed these remarks and the morning s business concluded. . , , ~ Further proceedings continued in the afternoon. ~ The afternoon’s business included discussion on two remits. They were both passed and will be forwarded to Wellington. The first was proposed by the Makaraka-Matawljero institute—- “ That members of the Women’s Institute view with concern the acute shortage of men’s wear, especially trousers, and ask that the Minister of Industries and Supply be approcahed with a view to bettering the position.” The Ormond institute’s remit was to the effect that “The tea ration for country workers doing seasonable work, such as harvesting, shearing, etc., be increased.” The competition results were:—Frock for baby of six months: Whangara, 1;

Te Karaka, 2; Whatatutu, Mrs, Shaw, 3. Sponge cake: Te Karaka, 1; Mrs. Nesshausen. Puha, 2; Mrs. Akers, Ruatoria, 3 Posy: Mrs. Richmond, Otoko, 1; Mrs Miliar, Otoko, 2; Mrs. P. F. Barker, Whangara, 3. The judges of the competitions were Mrs. L. C. Parker, cooking: Mrs. S. Woodrow, flowers; Miss N. Cotterell, sewing. The election of officers of the executive resulted:—President, Mrs. E. M. Monckton: vice-presidents, Mesdames P. F. Barker, F. Bruce; hon. secretary, Mrs. Cox; press correspondent, Mrs. W. Livingston; treasurer, Mrs. Johnstone. The sales table, which was very well stocked and did good business, was run [by the Ngatapa institute.