CROWDED MEETING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4271, 26 April 1950, Page 7

CROWDED MEETING

22 INSTITUTES ATTEND A FULL PROGRAMME THAMES-HAURAKI DISTRICT The annual council meeting of Thames-Hauraki Plains District Federation of Women’s Institutes attracted a record attendance, St. James hall being filled to capacity. 22 institutes were represented and many beautiful floral tributes were presented to the federation office bearers.

The official guests were the Mayoress of Thames, Mrs Ensor, Mrs E. Palliser (Waikato East federation), Mrs J. Hollis (Women’s Division Federated Farmers), Mrs B. Scott (guest speaker), Mrs M. E. Shaw (Thames Women’s Club), Mrs C. M. Bambrick (Thames) and Mrs D. Brady, the former federation secretary, who was a guest at lunch. The meeting opened with the national anthem and “Comrades and Friends,’’ followed by the institute prayer.

Mrs N. L. Lithgow welcomed the official guests, and extended good wishes to all present. Miss Rose, a visitor from Karapiro institute, presented flowers on its behalf. Mrs Hurletyman (Manawaru president) wtes also present and Mrs Lithgow asked them to join the official guests on the stage. Mrs A. Carter presented sprays to all of the official party. The roll call, “ideas for Institution,” brought forward some very helpful ideas. A vote Qf the meeting decided to call the newsletter “Institute Magazine” in future. Mrs L. Ek Scott, editress, thanked members for their support and proposed to adopt sense of the ideas put forward at the corn- ■ cil meeting. Remits After Rangimaire institute had ’ moved its remit, to be seconded by Coroglen, Mr A. L. Neighbour, secretary of Thames Hospital Board, was asked by the meeting to explain the facilities offered by hospital boards in New Zealand. Members were grateful of the opportunity of hearing the clear and helpful statement put forward by Mr Neighbour. Questions Rearing up various problems were before he left the irteeting. After discussion by delegates the remit was put to the vote and carried.

The second remit was carried after a small addition was proposed by Thames coast.

The winning institute for the Tuppy Paul shield was Netherton with 115 points, Coromandel and Mercury Bay tied for second place with 113 points, and Pipiroa was third with 104 points. The Arbury cup was won by Wharepoa, Netherton being second and Kai Ngawai-Kopu was third. Luncheon Adjournment

The meeting then adjourned for lunch when the new arrangement of a cup of tea being supplied by the Thames institute and members bringing their own food, proved very happy and successful. The afternoon session commenced with the singing of the ode and the aspirations were read. Remarks on the competitions were received from the judges. Mrs Gywnne of Thames said the unwired shoulder sprays were good and gave helpful advice for further efforts. Jtfrs Rowe spoke highly of the cooking and said she had never seen better sponges than those entered by Wharepoa and MaramaruaKopuku, who received full marks. Mrs Yeager said that the knitting was splendid. Further reports on the other needlework will appear later in the institute’s magazine. Life in Bulgaria The gue?t speaker, Mrs V. Scott, was then introduced and delighted the audience with her refreshing talk on Bulgarian women and their problems. After amusing illustrations members felt that their small grumbles were not of much account. Mrs Scott dealt with the various aspects of peasant and city life in Bulgaria referring tv housing, which was acute. Social life for peasant people was practically nil and they were not encouraged to dress above their station. In the cities the cultural side offered wonderful opportunities to see the best opera, drama and music in the world. Fruit in Bulgaria was sold at a very cheap rate, barrow men on corners selling grapes of the very best quality for as low as lAd per lb. Wines of all kinds were within the reach of everyone and could be had anywhere at any time. There was no drunkeness to be seen and food was always served with the drinks in the form of tiny luscious savouries and sandwiches. Mrs Lithgow thanked Mrs Scott for her most interesting address. During the afternoon members stood for one minute in memory of a valued member, Miss Dunlop of Thames, who had recently passed away. Schools of procedure were arranged at Paeroa, Ngatea and Thames for the near future. Mrs C. V. Marceau’s

nomination as voluntary organiser, taking the place of Mrs G. Pinnock, who had resigned, was confirmed. The vase presented to the Peninsula group by Mrs Lithgow for competition was on display and Dr. Bakas expresAd the group’s appreciation of the fine gift Mrs Webb of Puru won the competition fvem the trading stall. ** The Waihi institute proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the federation for the successful meeting. “God Defend New Zealand” brought proceedings to a close. Important Mhftfera Two important remitrVere brought before the meeting and both were, carried. From the Rangimaire institute, supported by Coroglen was a remit that “under maternity services regulations every woman should have the right to choose any qualified and registered doctor to attend her in any public hospital.” From the Turua institute, seconded by Thames Coast was a remit “that the Government be urged to extend the child allowance to apprentices in a trade and all other people in training to the age of 18 years.” The concert at night was well attended. During the evening the Arbury cup was presented by Mrs Arbury, who congratulated Wharepoa upon its splendid entry. Mrs Lithgow thanked all the visiting artists at the end of the concert and wished all those travelling long distances a safe journey home. The duck competition was won by Mrs Percy Barker. The evening’s programme was a full one, several plays being presented as wall as other items. “The Goosechase” by the Mrcury Bay institute was humorous and well done. The players were:—Aunt Pops, Mrs Crabbe; mother, Mrs Sharpies; Aunt Hannah, Mrs Hughes; Cowslip, Mrs Lowe; Peggy, Mrs Rob. Simpson; Jane, Mrs F. Lee.

A ballet by Miss Valerie McCombe’s pupils in Hungarian costumes was well done, those taking part being Beverly McCombe, Colleen Dowd, Jocelyn Dorrington, Audrey Hudson and Ellen Corcoran.

Mrs Lithgow, always popular, delighted with a bracket of songs, “Splendour of Them All” and “Sing Joyous Bird,” giving as encores. “Live, Laugh and Love,” “Because” and “Waiata Poi.”

A character sketch, ‘The Little March Girl,” was cleverly done by Anne Godfrey, who also gave in humourous vein, “The Village Concert.” In national costume, a beautiful cream frock, richly embroidered in bright reds, orange and brown with belt over embroidery, Mrs V. Scott sang two Bulgarian songs “Two Blue Eyes” (modern) and ‘Maiden From Europe (national). Colleen Down in a clever performance gave two tap dances. A play “The Servants,” full of humour, was well done by Coromandel institute, the part of Flo, the servant being taken by Mrs Turner, Mrs Mason by Mrs C. Davies and Mrs Borrowdale by Mrs Dear. A classic ballet, ‘“Hie Rainbow” by Miss Vai McCombe’s pupils was well received, those taking part being Bev. McCombe, Shirley Williams, Maureen Mclnnarney, Ellen Corcoran, Helen Blake and Audrey Hudson.