TE ARAKURA WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 175, 25 June 1932, Page 8

TE ARAKURA WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

The seating accommodation at Te Arakura School was taxed, to its utmost ■tv-hen the Te Arakura Womens Institute entertained local residents and their families, many members, and visitors from the surrounding districts at its first birthday party. The evening opened with the singing of the Ode to Friendship,” and community singing with Mrs Johnstone as accompanist/was greatly enjoyed. A violin and piano duet by the Misses E. and M. Bennett was enthusiastically encored, as were Mrs Herbert’s vocal solos. Humorous recitations by Miss G. Seifert, and violm and piano duets by Messrs Dune also delighted the audience A humorous play staged by junior members of the institute received well-merited applause. In welcoming the visitors Mrs Thomas (president) thanked everyone for attending and introduced Miss Grant, of Palmerston North, who outlined the aims and ideals of the Women’s Institute movement, dealing particularly with the worldwide aspect. The winners of the points prizes for competitions throughout the year were then presented with their prizes bv Miss Grant, Mrs Griffiths receiving the first prize, a handsome fruit dish, Mrs Thomas the second, a Shelley cup, saucer and plate, and Mrs Baxter the third, a crystal sweets dish. An excellent supper, provided by the ladies, was handed round, the mam feature being the very fine birthday cake, which had been made by Mrs Lewer and iced by Mr J. L. Weightman, of Palmerston North. The cake was iced in red and white and was circled with red roses, in keeping with the hall and its gay decorations of red and white streamers and baskets of red roses. After supper the room was cleared for dancing and games, which were continued until after midnight, when the singing of the National Anthem brought to a close a very jolly evening that had been greatly appreciated by all.