W.D.F.U.

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1789, 7 December 1936, Page 2

W.D.F.U.

NGARUA BRANCH At the recent meeting of the Ngarua branch of the W.D.F.U. over 30 members were present. The president, Mrs. S. C. Carter, read a paper on migration problems. Mrs. James gave a report on the recent meeting of the Thames Valley executive held at Paeroa. A demonstration on icing Christmas cakes was given by Miss D. Luxton, of Waitoa. The Christmas novelty competition was judged by Mrs. Kneebone, of Taranaki, the results being: Mrs. Boddy 1, Mrs. W. Scott 2, Mrs. J. Scott 3, Mrs. Buchanan 4, Miss V. Simpson 5. The Christmas cakes competition, judged by Miss D. Luxton, resulted in Mrs. Hayward 1, Mrs. P. Davis 2, Mrs. W. Scott 3, Miss Kay 4, Mrs. Carter 5.

The sales table did brisk business under the direction of Mrs. Scott. Hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames Robinson, Hayes, Hanson, Misses J. Hanson and V. Sampson. Miss F. Burge presented a crocheted set of mats to be sold for the branch . Mrs. Donovan attended the Paeroa show in charge of the rose bowl and quilts which were on exhibition, both at Te Aroha and Paeroa shows; and also took through some produce for a stall held at Paeroa to help provincial funds.

A hearty good wish to all members for a merry festive season was expressed by the president. There will be no further meeting until February.

TIRAU BRANCH Protest Against Farm Caricatures That it was time something was done to register disapproval of the prevalent practice in various publications of depicting farmers in sketch as uncouth figures of fun, with ragged beards, vacuous expressions, and shapeless headgear, and in story as inferior beings of little education, violent temper and uncivilised reactions generally, was the opinion expressed at the monthly meeting of the Tirau .branch of the W.D.F.U., during ia discussion on the prizewinning humorous stories featured in a well-known farming annual. That these alleged characteristics of the primary producer should 1 lie stressed in ;a publication intended for,, city as well as country'circulation added to the heiniousness of the offence. ,

Opinions of members on the subject, were, divided, ranging from that of the lady who considered she could write something still worse about her own husband, to another who maintained that farmers must necessarily J possess superior brain power to city folk, otherwise they would never make a living by farming. At a later stage the president, Mrs. C. Allen, read a beautiful description by Miss Joyce West of the old Mission House at Tauranga, and the art treasures of historic interest that it contains. Also of the moving drama of troublous early days in New Zealand, which had been enacted within its environs. It was indeed a place of memories that enshined the deathless spirit of our pioneers.

Various items of routine business were also dealt with, a large assortment of Blind Institute basketware unpacked and offered for sale, and a resume of queen carnival functions supplied by the president.

Afternoon tea was dispensed by the hostesses for the afternion, Mesdames Musker, Dedman and Kinhear;