WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4271, 26 April 1950, Page 3

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

APRIL MEETING HELD WAITAKARURU GATHERING The April meeting of the WaitakaTuru Women’s Institute was held in the hall, Mrs J. Pacey presiding over a good attendance of members. Mrs J. Allen read the aspirations Mrs Alport, formerly of Puahue, and now a resident of Waitakaruru, was welcomed as a new member. It was announced with regret that Mrs Bathurst would no longer be able to attend the meetings as she was to be engaged elsewhere on institute day. She was a valued and highly esteemed worker and would be greatly missed by all. Mrs Crapp was cordially welcomed back at her first meeting since she returned from the United States of America.

The community effort of a quill of knitted peggy squares, beautifully put together, was on view, ready for the federation council meeting’s competition on April 19 and Mrs Mitchell undertook to bake the sponge for the same occasion.

Mrs Chas. Coxhead was chosen as delegate to the council meeting and members arranged to leave produce at a depot for her to take with her for the federation stall.

An important discussion took place regarding the sending or not of future parcels to England. ‘ The institute’s funds have now shrunk to a very low level, the question had to be decided as to whether it should conduct a big drive in the district for fresh funds or leave off sending parcels altogether now that so many items of food were off the ration in England.

After very serious consideration it was decided to put £3/0/9 of institute funds into the parcels fund to increase its sufficiently to enable one more parcel to be send simultaneously to each of the 14 old ladies on the institute’s list. Each parcel was to be accompanied by an explanatory farewell letter and 14 members undertook to write the letters.

The points won by members of the gardening circle were read out, prizes going to Mrs A. Coxhead first and Miss Marie Coxhead second. Under Mrs Hegh’s untiring and helpful direction, some very nice floral work was entered for competition during the year and it was hoped that, with Miss Marie Coxhead as convener this year will prove to be just as successful for the circle. A stall which was held at the local cattle sale in order to augment institute funds 'realised the gratifying total of £lB/18/6 and an auxilliary sale to dispose of what was left over brought in another sum of £7/5/6 on April 11, making a total of £26/4/-. Mrs J. Pacey has undertaken to be president, with Mrs C. Coxhead and Mrs Cropp senior, as vice-presidents.

After luncheon Mrs Cropp gave a very delightful talk on her recent holiday in the United States. Her description of life on the ship was also very entertaining. For instance at the fancy dress ball the first prize went to a passenger dressed as as a Chinaman who ate a whole dish of rice during the evening with chopsticks, whilst another distinctive couple was a doctor and his wife who went as baby and nurse, the baby wearing just a napkin and the nurse carrying a baby’s feeding bottle and china convenience.

Mrs Cropp showed a number of interesting mechanical toys, including a lifelike black bear which walked about the hall and she also fetched a loaf of bread which she sau r at the factory made from the flour without being touched by human hands—even to the wrapping in a grease proof bag. After her five weeks’ trip home, she unwrapped the bread and it wa.s still beautifully fresh. Member.asked why they could not in New Zealand receive their bread similarly wrapped.

Mrs Crapp could barely touch on her trip in one talk so she intends to tell more at a later date. She received a warm vote of thanks and was given a bouquet of chysantheinums. Competitions resulted as follows:— Best blooms, Miss M. Coxhead, 1; Mrs A. Coxhead, 2; Mrs Pacey, 3. Flower ararngement in original container, Mrs Pacey, 1; Mrs J. Laing, 2.