WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 80, 16 March 1936, Page 10

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Pukahu Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Pukahu Women’s Institute was held on Saturday. Mrs. C. Ritchie presided over a lair attendance of members. The meeting opened with the singing of the Ode and the recital of the Aspiration.

Reports of the year’s work were submitted by the president, hon. secretary and hon. treasurer, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded each officer for the excellent work she had accomplished during the year. Mrs. McDonald presented a beautiful posy to Mrs Ritchie, retiring president, as a token of esteem from members, who appreciated the untiring zeal and interest Mrs. Ritchie had always taken in the institute since its inception. Mrs Livingston also presented pretty posies to the retiring secretary, Miss D. Kirkham, and Mrs. H. Evans, hon. treasurer, on behalf of the members. The recipients suitably replied. In an inspiring address Mrs. Ritchie stressed the importance of members helping each other and said that they should take as their motto “Not self, but service.’’ In showing kindness to others and especially those less fortunate than themselves they would be upholding the high ideals contained in the Creed. She also thanked her officers and all members for helping to make the past year so pleasant and profitable.

The officers and committee elected were as follow:—Mrs. Lockie, junr., president; Mrs. A. E. Lang, hon. secretary; Mrs. H. Evans, hon. treasurer; Mrs. C. Ritchie and Mrs. L. W. Goldfinch, vice-presidents: committee, Mesdames Ritchie, Wilks, McDonald, Evans. Lean, Cummins, Lang, Goldfinch and Misses Kirkham and Orchard. It was announced that the next meeting would be held on Saturday, April 4 instead of April 11 and that the competitions would be for any article finished this year and for three sausage rolls. Mrs. Lockie was elected as delegate to the council meeting in Napier in April and members were asked to assist with the afternoon tea. Many promised their help. Schedules for the flower show in November were handed round to enable members to prepare exhibits during the winter months.

Mrs. Livingston gave a splendid reading during the afternoon and also showed members how to crochet silk coverings for coat-hangers. She was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for her instructive lesson which was followed keenly by members, several commencing coat-hangers to be finished later.

There was a wonderful response to the competition for crocheted peggy squares for the federation quilt competition ; over a thousand squares camo in. Mrs. Cuminins was the winner with 307 squares, Mrs. C. Lean second with 302 and Mrs. Lang third with 150. A finished rug made by Mrs. Ritchie was exhibited and was very much admired. In the chocolate-sponge competition, Mrs. Kirkham was first, Mrs. Goldfinch second and Mrs. Cummins third. The prizes for most points gained through the year was won by Miss Joyce Cum r mins, with Mrs. Ritchie and Mrs. Lang (equal) second. Prizes presented by Mrs, Goldfinch for. most entries during the year resulted in Miss Cummins 1 (Mrs. McCorkingdale’s trophy). A letter read from the institute's link at Findon, Worthing, Sussex, England, contained much of interest, and Mrs. McDonald was asked to reply on behalf of the institute. Mrs. Ritchie thanked the visitors, Mrs. Redpath and Mrs. Upchurch, for kindly judging the sponges. The hostesses, who dispensed a delicious tea, were Mrs. McCorkingdale, Miss Joll and Miss Hallet.