WOMEN’S DIVISION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 6, 4 December 1937, Page 12

WOMEN’S DIVISION.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held at Collinson and Cunninghame’s rooms yesterday afternoon. Mrs W. F. Field (president) presided over a good attendance, and extended a welcome to all. The meeting commenced with the recital of the Women’s Creed. The following new members were proposed and duly elected: Mesdames Haythorne (Te Arakura), J. L. McLean (Fitzherbert West), Miss Balmer (Raumai), Mrs Russell (Linton), Mrs C. C. Thompson (Ashliurst) and Mrs Pemberthy (Newbury). Reporting on recent activities of the division, Mrs Field expressed her thanks to all who had given such wonderful assistance as voluntary waitresses on the occasion of the Jubilee dinner. “Besides our own division members there were a number of ladies (friends of the W.D.F.U.) who gave splendid help,” said Mrs Field, “and it was a pleasure to know that, despite the hard work, everybody was cheerful and goodnatured in carrying out the duties assigned to them.” Special mention was made of Mrs Gowing and her helpers, who had provided a pleasing touch in adding to the picturesque effect of the dining tables, bj' making posies for all the ladies in the large assemblage, and for the beautiful bouquet that had been presented to the oldest lady present. The lavender bags presented to the ladies over 75 years of age were also another gesture that was much appreciated, and the meeting accorded Mrs Gowing a hearty vote of thanks. Another effort that had been crowned with success was the afternoon tea catering in the A. and P. Hall on Grandstand Daj’. The president intimated that it was with some trepidation that the sub-committee consisting of Mesdames Croucber, Jennings, Russell, Green and Miss Matheson, with herself, had gone into the pros and cons of this venture, and she was pleased to report that there was a net profit of £ll 12s on the afternoon’s working. The meeting unanimously agreed to support a resolution passed at the committee meeting that this amount be handed to the A. and P. Association as a donation towards the grandstand repairs. The president again expressed' her thanks to all who had worked hard and said that, although there had been several calls for assistance during the past six months, they had rallied round and the results showed what a splendid spirit of loyalty had been in evidence right through. The final appeal for this j’ear was made for next Thursday, when the annual Calf Club day will be held at the Showgrounds. As on past occasions the Women’s Division will entertain the visiting children : and their parents at lunch. It was decided to provide the refreshments free to the children, and to make a small charge lor adults. Several members present promised to assist and the final arrangements were left in the hands of the president, secretary and treasurer, Mesdames Millard, Green, W. A. Davison and W. G. Shannon promised the milk for the. afternoon tea. Correspondence included letters of thanks from the following who had received Christmas donations from 'the branch: Motuiti and Rohgotea branches, the matron of the Hospital for a donation for gifts for those in Hospital on Christmas Day; Mrs W. Howell wrote on behalf of the Wellington provincial organisation as treasurer and congratulated the branch on its kindly interest’ in donating £lO 10s for the assistance of poorer branches ; • Mrs T. N. Snowden, Dominion librarian, at Te Kuiti, wrote to Mrs Croucher, hon. book collector in Palmerston North, for the book club and sent her thunks to the branch for the books and magazines that had gone through from Palmerston North, Mrs Croucher's efforts in this connection are much appreciated. An invitation to attend the annual dinner of the Registered Nurses’ Association ivas received and the division will bo well represented. Correspondence from headquarters was received dealing with matters in connection with payment of housekeepers’ wages, and minor matters, and an intimation that headquarters had brought into being a plan discussed at tiie conference of providing a room in the head office to be used as a lounge; it was decided that a donation of £3 3s bo made towards furniture and equipment for the lounge. Mrs M. Colquhoun (provincial secretary) wrote drawing attention to the Girls’ Education Week, which will be held in the May holidays, and asking for co-operation. A recipient of a parcel of clothing for her young family wrote to Mrs Field a grateful acknowledgment of same. —Mrs Field reported that as housekeeper - secretary she sent out parcels from time to time and this part of her activities was always appreciated. Referring to the . housekeeping scheme, eulogistic remarks were made about tho manner in which the division housekeepers went into country homes and took charge during the absence of the mother when m hospital No better service could he given, and the staff of the Wellington Central Provincial Executive was all that could be desired. ~ ..' .. ' Before concluding the meeting the president thanked the members for tbeir loyal support during- the past year, and wished all a happy Christmas’and a prosperous New Year. Airs McLeavey, on behalf ot the members, conveyed appreciation of the work done by the president, who with the secretary (Miss Matheson) and Mrs E. Jennings (treasurer) had done all that was possible to make the pass year a successful and happy one. llie exchange lof Christmas greetings brought a 'pleasant afternoon to a close.

COMMITTEE MEETING. Prior to. the general meeting a com mittee meeting was held, there being present Mrs Field (president) and Mesdames W. J. Croucher, J. Millard, E. J Jennings, J. A. AlcLeavej', E. Nciderer, AY. A. Davison, H. R. Green, R. Burnett, C. Eglinton. and Miss Matheson (secretary). Apologies lor absence were received from Mesdames bond, Nicholls, Cunningham, Miss Rawstron, Mrs Tomlinson and Airs Murphy. ’ Accounts in connection with the recent effort at the Showgrounds were passed for payment. It tvas unanimously decided to donate the net profit of’ £ll 12s to the Grandstand Fund. , The president brought up the question for consideration of a further grant from the trust fund (Lord Nuffield’s) towards enabling a retardate girl to receive education in a special school. Members agreed that it was a most worthy and deserving case, and the resolution to assist was carried unanimously. Arrangements concerning the Calf I Club were discussed.-■ i «■