WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4252, 8 March 1950, Page 8

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

COROMANDEL FUNCTION

TOURING PARTY ENTERTAINED

The Coromandel Women’s Institute was responsible for a pleasant function in St. George’s hall supper room last week when it entertained three members of the Thames-Hauraki District Federation of Women’s Institutes to lunch.

The guests were Mesdames N. L. Lithgow, of Waikino, F. Symes, of Maramarua, and C. Marceau, of Turua, who were making a tour of the outlying districts where institutes were somewhat isolated. The luncheon tables looked very atractive, with lovely flowers and such a variety of eatables set out.

Mrs Ball extended a warm welcome to the visitors on behalf of the members. She said what an honour and pleasure it was to have executive members visit them.

Institute members were somewhat isolated at Coromandel, and they appreciated the happy contacts all the more, and in the meantime would just take all they could of the. visitors company.

Mrs Lithgow said it was a great pleasure to visit Coromandel and make such friendly contacts and meet institute members in their centre. The Coromandel institute was working on good sound lines, doing a good job and the federation looked to it to carry on with the good work. Mrs Lithgow said that Mrs Marceau would give some demonstrations and Mrs Symes would talk about flowers. Coromandel was a scattered area and they wanted to foster and look after institutes in the area.

Mrs Lithgow then briefly touched on various subjects such as federation finance, arts and crafts festival to be held in Christchurch and explained the working of the Dominion council. Thanks to the wonderful response from institutes, the federation was in a sound position at the present time. The speaker also said that there were 900 institute branches in New Zealand and all were working for the good of their community and helping in all good causes.

Mm Lithgow concluded by thanking the women’s institute members for the lovely lunch. Mrs Ball then presented lovely sprays to the guests who suitably replied.

Mrs Longley sang a solo "Only a Tiny Garden,” which was encored. Mrs Marceau gave demonstrations of the making of felt bags, sugar-bag mate, felt posies, cellophane hats and tatting. They were all watched with great interest and would be a source of activity in toe near future. Mrs Symes gave most interesting demonstrations as to the arranging of flowers and gave many useful hints to a very interested group of members. Mrs Lithgow delighted everyone by singing two solos, "Bless This House,” and “Waiata Poi.” Recitations by Mrs Venables, “The Charwoman” and “Earthenware” were very popular, as also were recitations by Mrs C. Davis.

Afternoon tea was served* and toe visitors were given musical honours before starting off on their way to Whitianga, thus bringing to a close a very happy and memorable day in the life of the Coromandel institute.