HOME & COUNTRY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32623, 19 September 1945, Page 7

HOME & COUNTRY

COROMANDEL INSTITUTE VISIT OF MISS A. PAUL INTERESTING ADDRESS GIVEN A special meeting of the Coromandel Women’s Institute was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall recently on the occasion of a visit from Miss Paul, the Thames-'Hauraki Federation president. Owing to wet weather and other meetings clashing the attendance was not. very big, but those present spent a very pleasant evening. The meeting opened with the “Ode to Friendship,” after which the president, Mrs D. Strongman, introduced Miss .Paul, who was paying her first visit to the branch. In opening her address Miss Paul said it was a pleasure and a privilege to visit the branches, and she commented on the scenery and the lovely situation of Coromandel, nestling at the water’s edge and surrounded by the beautiful hills. She was farmer’s daughter herself and lived on the H'auraki Plains, and' the contrast between there and the hilly country on the Coromandel Peninsula was pleasant. Thanks to the courtesy of the president and l Mrs Inglis, also the matron, she was enabled to pay a visit to the-'hospital that morning, which she was very pleased to be able to do.

“After six years of war,” she continued, “we have not so much a peace as a deliverance. We have a huge task behind us, but a bigger one in front of us. Our men have given their best and we must help in the task of rehabilitating them. May God teach us tolerance and understanding in the work before us. As I move round the

Further Coromandel News will be found on Pages 3, 6

country and the institute branches one is. struck by the cultural and educational side. I would like here to voice our appreciation of the work of the institute members in the recent Unrra appeal, collecting, sorting, repairing and packing.”

With regard to making the institute meetings attractive, Miss Paul suggested that the institute get in touch with Mrs Trevor Jones who was a much travelled lady, and a fluent speaker, who would be only too pleased’ to accept invitations to visit institutes. Several other interesting notes on the general workings of branches were touched on by Miss Paul, who concluded her address with the appeal to members to be kind and help their officers, particularly their president and secretary whom they themselves have appointed. On behalf of the members, Mrs Strongman: handed Miss Paul a beautiful shoulder spray of hyacinths and freesias, and a gift which would serve as a memento of her first visit to Coromandel.

A hearty vote of thanks to Miss Paul was carried by acclamation.

A dainty supper was served after which the National Anthem brought the evening to a close.

Miss Paul also paid a visit in the afternoon to the Manaia Institute, known as Rangimarae, where she spent a very happy time.