WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 114, 10 April 1930, Page 7

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

PROVINCIAL FEDERATION. 'ANNUAL MEETING HELD. PAST YEAR REVIEWED. Attended by about fifty delegates, he annual meeting of the Wellington •rovincial Federation of Women’s Inti tutes opened at Messrs. Collinson* nd Cunninghame’s tea-rooms in Palnerston North to-day. Mrs Waringl’aylor (Shannon) presided. Among others present were Miss Agnes Stops (the new organiser from England), Mrs Noel West (secretary), Mies A. Crawford (treasurer) and Miss A. E. Jer-ome-Spencer (Hawke’s Bay), chief orgnniser. Including visitors, there were about two hundred present at the meeting. Before the ordinary business was commenced, Mrs Walker, on behalf of the Mangatainoka Institute, presented posies to Mrs Waring-Taylor (president), Miss A. E. Jerome-Spencer and Miss Agnes Stop. The president expressed her pleasure at the large attendance and stated that fit was an honour to occupy the chair. iMarked progress by the federation was [evident. Three new institutes had |been formed within the last few weeks fin the Taranaki district. The annual (meeting brought about a fuller realisation of what the movement meant. The speaker extended a cordial welcome to Miss Agnes Stops, the new general officer who had just arrived from England. EXECUTIVES REVIEW. The annual report was presented as follows: —Tho executive committee have met at frequent intervals during the year. Their work is divided into two parts l —external and internal. These are perhaps the most convenient lines on which to present a brief report of federation activities during the year. Dealing first with matters outside the routine of ordinary federation management; the following have been tho main features: —This federation was responsible for raising £25 3s 6d by the institute movement for the assistance of members who were sufferers in the earthquake last year, one-eighth being appointed to general relief. The various institutes in this federation responded very generously to the call and letters of appreciation from those assisted have .been received. The Women’s Institute stall was a great success at the Manawatu Winter Show, and apart from sales it served as a most valuable means of propaganda work. New institutes have been formed as a result at Cheltenham, Kopane, Reikirangi. Paraparaumu, Tokomaru, Waitara, Taita and Tikorangi,’ while ethers are in the process of organisation. The total number of institutes in the federation is now twenty-two. Your executive have taken the view that the Mothers’ Chair Appeal is a matter in which it is our duty to take an active interest, as its realisation will be the means of gaining knowledge and experience*- which will save jfche lives of many mothers in ‘the future. The institutes have been communicated with, coupons circulated, Bnd several institutes have asked for further supplies. The response ■ is much appreciated by the committee and iflphows a most encouraging growth, not atonly of the institute spirit, but a real Beadiness to tackle needy ■everywhere. i Our application •to the McCarthy iTrust was declined last year, but a KireSh application is being made tlfie wear, and wo hope that this may be |f®ttended with success. Internally, has been plenty of work for the 'OCommittee. Sub-committees have been formed to deal with financial matters, organisation, propaganda and handicrafts. Six organisers have been appointed and have .been working on the formation of new institutes. A panel of leoturers and demonstrators has been prepared and circulated to the various institutes. You are well acquainted with the gift of a shield by Miss A. Crawford 'fat tho best weight of potatoes grown.by member*, and the first winner will be announced at this meeting. Without trespassing on the ground to be covered by the treasurer in her report, this one would be incomplete. without a very appreciative reference to the special contributions received from several institutes; to the federation funds, without which it would «have been impossible to carry on. We also have to record with many thanks the receipt of a gift of £5 from the Hawke’s Bay Federation for organising work ih the more remote districts. This was very generously given by a 6ister federation out of a donation made to them. This committee will be able to hand over to its successors an organisation started on sound lines and having the promise of steady growth in the future. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The statement of receipts and expenditure presented by the treasurer showed that there was a balance of 08 18s llld on March 31. Affiliation fees amounted to £l4 Is, and badge and literature sales realised £lO 15s lOd. Travelling expenses amounted to £l4 12s. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The treasurer stated that a budget of revenue for. the coming year placed, the amount at about £7O, while it was estimated that the expenditure would be about £66. She thought that the potato growing competition would probably realise about £4. Kopane, with an average of 10.21bs per member, was thd winner of the potato growing competition, Waverley being second and Woodville third.

The trophy was presented to the Kopane delegate by the president. Mrs Gibson Young .(Stokes Valley) moved that the membership of the executive be increased from ten to twelve, including officials. Mrs Bo vis (Shannon) moved an amendment that the committee remain as at present constituted, and the latter motion was carried.

It was reported that over Trad beer, collected by the federation for earthquake relief for women alone and £43 for the Mothers’ Chair Appeal.