WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 30 April 1934, Page 5

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

TAR ANAKI FEDERATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD

There were nearly 400 delegates from 29 institutes present at the annual meeting of the Taranaki Federation ot Women’s Institutes at the Inglewood town hall on Friday. Airs V . K* Lb Taranaki president, was in the chair. Also present was Airs H. 1 aterson (Pahiatua) Dominion president The annual report, stated that a tremendous amount of work had neeii accomplished by unity of purpose and steadfast effort. The present wis a time when individuals- and institutions were judged not by what name iney had so much as by wliat they did. Love and service at the present day was more than a mere motto. Institutes had changed l.fe’s outlook for thousands of women of the Dominion. Thirty-four institutes now comprised the Taranaki District Federation, now institutes being formed at Rawhitnon, Warea, Taiporohenui, Maori, Ketemarae Maori" and Riverlea during the past six month's, making an approximate membership of 1300.

EXHIBITION OF CRAFTS. Tile handwork isubruoimnittces did excellent work in arranging the exiubition 0l handicrafts at the Hawera show. The courts were an outstanding success and hall caused widespread interest. During the show tne exit. bit was honoured by a visit from Alesdames Coates, AleCorkindale and Miller, Alls Kelso and Miss Kane representing tne Dominion executive. The district federation had been represented at tinDominion conference at_ Christcliurcii bv the president, Airs Kaye. "Jn July the South Taranaki institutes shared with other organisations a visit from Aliss Violet- MacMillan, the- holder of a Sarah Ann Rhodes Scholarship. Darina; October an organisin" tour was arranged for Airs ICeiso editor of “Home and Country” mid Dominion organiser, visits being made to group meetings at E'lthain, Hawera and Inglewood. At tlie half-yearly council meeting at Paten thero had been an attendance of over 250. Other group meetings had been hold at Inglewood. Eltliam and Hawera and group picnics at \Y aitara and Pa tea. The drama festival held at Hawera had been a success and credit wa.s due to the South Taranaki institutes which were responsible for arrangements. AVlia roroa, ATangatok:. Paten, Xormanbv, Okinawa (2), Eltliam, imu Township, Tawhiti and Turutimi participated. The festival was the first move towards the establishment of a ;est coileo-e. At the beginning of December Airs Kaye held a round table conference at Hawera at- which she nut the officials of the surrounding institutes'. The meetinor was taken as a preliminary .school for future organisers and officers, as the ever increasing membership in the movement necessitated well-trained officers to establish the sound and correct formation of new institutes. Negotiations were at present be.’-ng made to hold schools or organisers and officers throughout Taranaki during the winter. Reference was made to the excellent, work of the retiring president, At is KaJ FRIENDSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING. “In conclusion,'' stated the report, “may the bonds of understanding and friendship among women of all classes and creeds grow stronger year by year. Alav all institute members strive to achieve high standards of personal .n----te°rit.y and public service so as to maintain it satisfactory quality of life in our rural homes.’’ , „ Expenditure totalled £69 i-s id, the chief item’s being organising expenses £9O 8s 6d. executive travelling expenses £l4 4s and Dominion executive affiliation fees £lO. Moving the adoption of the ream Airs Kaye referred to the need ;Oibranch institutes to make efforts on be half of the rest cottage scheme. \Yanmtnui, the neighbouring federation, was ahead of Taranaki in the matter and it was up to Taranaki to estaplisn its rest cottage. . The election of the executive resulted as follows: Alesdamos Kaye, Y\ . J• Smith (Inglewood). A. Morey (T‘koraiigi), Ale Axey (Te Roti), Walton (IV ten) Whitehead (Tikorangi), 1. J. Allan (No rimin'by), Brewer (Kapongaj, and E. J. Smith (Opunake), aim Mis-s----es Free (Normanby) and Co-c in an (Npa-cre), Mesdames Brewer and E. J. Snutli tied in the ballot for the ten in place and both were co-opted. Airs Kaye was unanimously re-elected p.res.clent. Several institute delegates gave three minute report's on their six months activity, the best in the opinion of thvoting' delegates being that from the •Opunake Maori institute. Delegates were present from Eltliam, Inglewood. Kaimata, Kaponga, Kakaranioiv, Mangatolci, Okanawa, Paiea, Norfolk Road, Ngaere, T.korangi, Turuturu, Te Roti, Tariki, Tarntn, Upper IMangorei, Normanby, Whareron, Tawhiti, Oliawe. Opunake, Alotunui, Tuti Township. Opunake Maori, Okaiawa Maori Waitara. Taiporohenui, Warea and Ketemarae. 'Pile winning report of the Opunake Maori Institute was as follows: “During the past six months we have had air average attendance of eight members. but recently two more have been enrolled. Visitors have frequented tne meetings and the branch is hopeful D ■ enrollin'?, these as members. Lecturers and demonstrators have provided helpful and interesting addresses and competitions have had keen interest

displayed in them. Dances and euchre parties have been .successful financ.allv • and lid peel (to unite Maori and pakeha in the district. An outstanding event was the Christmas treat for Maori children. Conisidered as one of the .smallest Maori institutes concluded the report, ‘‘ve hope, that in the near future we shall be able to create a wider interest amongst our Maori women in their homes and for their country in accord with our motto, hi a murn koto te nokerekere —undaunted' bv difficulties.” When the conference resumed after lunch Mrs Paterson. Dominion president and Mrs Rave, were presented with' boon nets. Mrs Kaye was also presented with a lavender elmin or ° The location of tli« next half-yearly council conference was fixed at Hawera. Mr -T. P Penn (Inglewood) was reelected auditor. At a subsenuant meeting of the executive Mrs W. J. -Smith (Inglewood 1 was elected secretarv and Miss A. C. Coleman (Ngaere) treasurer. Airs A. Whitehead (Tiltorangi) was electeel assistant .secretary.