W.C.T.U.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 79, 2 March 1938, Page 13

W.C.T.U.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held yesterday afternoon, Mrs J. Scott being in the chair. Mrs Penketh led in prayer, Mrs Holland gave the Scripture reading, and Miss Sutherland read the scientific fact. Visitors welcomed were Mesdames Skinner and Plimmer, and Misses Small, Hughson, and Caldow. The chair,woman expressed pleasure at seeing Mrs Gillanders back after her long illness. Members heard with regret of an accident sustained by Mrs Ritchie. It was agreed that a letter of sympathy be sent her, Mrs Collins undertaking to do this in the absence of the corresponding secretary (Mrs T. R. Hodder). It was pleasing to hear that Mrs Doreen was much improved in health, and would soon be well enough to take a short holiday. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames Hodder and J. F. Clausen. The action of the executive in making arrangements with the Minister of Railways about putting a poster up at the railway station was confirmed. The statement that Mr T. Beggs was willing to make the frame for it was received with acclamation, The recommendation of the executive that the Dominion Convention be held in Palmerston North in 1939 was agreed to, and the delegate for the convention in Napier was instructed to issue the invitation.

It was decided that Miss Thompson act as treasurer during Mrs Scott’s absence for a year in Australia.

It was agreed that the annual jumble sale be held on May 20. Mrs Scott announced that the worldwide Day of Prayer for women would be held this week in the Congregational Church. She also gave a list of the meetings that were soon to be held for Miss Courtney, who is visiting New Zealand under the auspices of the Y.W.C.A.. and expressed the hope that W.O.T.U. members would attend some of her meetings, if not all. The remits to be discussed at the convention were read by the chairwoman, who stated that the members would have to be guided by the opinions of the Dominion executive, and the delegate would act as she thought best.

There was on display a fine collec--ion of shells and curios, which had been brought from Papua by missionaries. These were ebony spears, battleaxes, beautifully carved by the natives, native drums, wooden bowls, carved from tree trunks, a shield, images in wood, hair-combs, a specimen of tapa cloth, a head-dress used for dances and special occasions, native skirts, made of .dried banana and coconut fronds, a specimen of rain mat or native umbrella made of dried pandanus leaf, a canoe, lime-sticks carved'in ebony, gourds, decorated and undecorated, and many kinds of shells, very large ones, and also very small ones.

A talk on the articles'shown was given by Miss Jamieson. Miss F. Whittaker very appropriately recited Tennyson’s poem, “The Shell,” which was followed by “The House With Nobodv in Tt.” Thanks to Miss Whittaker for the pleasure she had given were expressed by Mrs Scott, whose words were endorsed bv acclamation.

Mrs Collins expressed thanks to Miss Jamieson for the trouble she bad taken in bringing and arranging the curios and shells, and also for her interesting talk. The hostesses for the day were Misses Sutherland and E. Sorensen.