WOMEN’S INSTITUTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 92, 18 March 1936, Page 12

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES.

AIEETING AT TE AItAKURA. The annual meeting of the To Arakura Women’s institute was held in the hall. Airs (Griffith presided, and extended a hearty welcome to a large attendance of members and visitors. The thought for the day was, “God gives to each the ingredients of happiness. The mixing is left to ourselves. Give to the world the heist you have and the best will come hack to you.” Apologies for absence were received from Alesdamert Durio and Hanson. Airs Johnston and Aliss Baxter were elected as delegates to attend the half-yearly council meeting to be hold in April. An interesting report, of the To Kuwait group meeting was given by Airs Griffith and Miss Baxter, who later were accorded thanks for their report and attendance at the meeting. .Members were asked to dig their potatoes as soon as they were ready. The report and balance-sheet were favourably commented upon. The credit balance showed that tlie institute is in a financial position. A vote of thanks was accorded Air D. Johnston, who had again audited the hooks. The president (Airs Griffith) read the 1 allowing report:—Our institute lias enjoyed another happy year of progress and good fellowship, and one of the joys is the happy relation existing between us all, and whole-hearted co-operation in anything that calls for such. We have gained several new members and also suffered the loss of two very dear members in the passing of All's Lower and .Miss Dunn, who were most inlcrested in the movement and always willing lo help in any good cause. Our balance-sheet shows not a very largo credit balance, .but quite a satisfactory one. The two principal events in our activities have been in the displays staged at the Alanawatu and Feilding A. and f\ Shows. At the former we annexed third prize for the home produce stall, and a miniature silver cup was awarded us at the Feilding Show. Our birthday last June was most successful and voted by all as most enjoyable, several sister institutes -being present. All. our demonstrations and lectures have been followed with keen interest, and our monthly competitions well supported, and some very good work has come forward. The garden competition has given a great amount of pleasure to all who have entered and’ I am sure the gardens have improved. If everyone had entered Te Arakura would have been a place of beauty and fragrance. Special thanks are due to our secretary and treasurer (Albs Hansen), also to the vicepresidents and members of the committee for their loyalty and help. Thanks are also extended the points steward, stall stewards, and pianists for their excellent cervices. The garden circle’s thanks arc given to Air and Mrs Whisker who have taken the trouble of arranging and conveying the judge around the gardens twice a year, giving much time and the use of their car. We arc indebted to the drama circle which liascome forward several times and helped with the social side of our work; al.-o the gentlemen of the- district who arc always so willing to assist us in eveiy way. The president wished the incoming president and committee every good wish, trusting that they woidd enjoy a happy year, one of progress and happy friendship, such as she had had during the past year. The competition for the day was for the best four pieces of shortbread, and was judged by Alcsdames Katon, Short all, anel Miss Herlihy. The winner was Mrs Bradley, Airs Arisen being second, arid Mi-s Dewar third. The following new members were enrolled and welcomed into the institute: — Airs Squire. Alisis Herlihy, and Aliss Ansin. An excellent report covering the activities of the local Drama Circle during the past year was presented by the convener (Aliss Bailor). Airs Danielson took the chair for the election of members of the incoming committee. Airs Griffith was unanimously rc-eleetocl president. The new committee ate as follow:—Alcsdames Whisker, Bradlev, Baxter, Thomas, Russell, Sorenson, Ansin, Firth, and AJiss Hansen. Airs Whisker spoke very highly of the most efficient way in which Airs Griffith had carried out, her duties as president during the past year. These remarks wore endorsed by Mrs Russell. Airs Danielson spoke in appreciation of the excellent work of the members of the 1935 committee. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, after which amusing competitions were held. Joan Burnham gained the prize for the best paper hat and Airs Johnston and Aliss Ansin tied in the article guessing competition. A heart}- vote of thanks was extended to the hostesses, judges, stewards, and Airs P. O’Regan and AJi-s B. Bradley who had acted as scrutineers. The hostesses for the April meeting will be Mesdames J. H. Bennett, Johnston. Thomas, and Alisses Lewer, Nixon, and Benn!:tt. The competition will be for the best article made from papier tnarhe. The programme is to be in charge of the junior members.

TIAKITAHUNA INSTITUTE. A meeting of the Women’s Institute was hcid last week, Alio D. itowJand presiding over a good attendance. Visitors welcomed were Aliases Alatheson, Airs Fell, and Airs Carmichael, of the Kakaramea Womens rliißuiuto. Correspondence was read, and Alesdames Kiciiardson and 1C Robinson were appointed delegated to attend the council meeting to be field at Paimerston i\orth. Tile birthday was discussed and it was decided to lioM a social evening on April 29. Cater, All's id. N. AlcKwen (vice-president ) took the chair and the annual meeting was held. The report and balance-sheet were read and favourably commented upon. The • report stated: “The fourth year of the institute has come to a close with an increased membership of 15, bringing our total up to 34. We feel this i<s most encouraging and hope for a further increase in our roll during the coming year. We deeply regret the parsing away of one of our popular members, Aliss Ferguson. Another member, Mrs Judd, who left the district was presented with a beautiful peggy square quilt made up by energetic members. During the past year 15e was sent to the federation, 5s to the Free Ambulance, and a stall held for the Willard Home. To aid the funds for children’s health camps, the secretary was instructed to use health stamps on all correspondence, and members individually were asked to support the cause.. Our meetings, which are held on tho second Wednsday of the month, have been well attended and, we trust, enjoyed by all. Wc have had the following demonstrations: Dressmaking, evening bags, hairpin work, macho, beaten brass w’ork, and relief carving. Some very interesting talks were given by Miss Grant, Alesdames Short, S. Nielsen and L. Humphrey. A Drama Circle has been formed and wc trust that later some interesting plays will be staged. Much interest was taken in our entry of a window at the A. and P. Winter Show last June and all members w-ere delighted when wo were awarded first prize. Two social evenings, taking the form of a concert and dance, were held. Our annual picnic was hold at Foxton Beach in February, -when all appeared to have a jolly time. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, a garden party organised by us for the local hall committee was not quite a financial success as in previous years. We feel grateful to our demonstrators and lecturers of the past year, also to our hostesses, and appreciate very much the free use of the hall for our meetings. We wish our office-bearers and the incoming committee a happy year and hope all members will combine to make it a successful one.” The incoming committee is as follow: —Alesdames D. Rowland (president), FT. N. McEwen, Af. Richardson, C. Orouchcr, W. Rowland, W. Lover, Aliases 7. Hearsay, D. Bannister and I. Fell. Various duties were allotted to the following: Points competitions, Alrd C. Oroiicher; amusing competitions, Aliss I. Fell; library, Afiss AT. Rowland: Press correspondent, Airs W. Rowland; wool cardens, AFrs S. Ross: bring and buy stall. Mns dam os Robinson and F. Vauticr. The competition for the best hand-made handkerchief was kindly judged by Aliss B. Alatheson and Airs Carmichael. The winners were Airs Tgglesden 1, AJns Oroucher 2. and Airs A. Buchanan 3. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Alesdames A. Buchanan, C. Crouchcr and. Aliss E. Voso.