WOMEN’S REST HOME.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 69, 18 February 1939, Page 12

WOMEN’S REST HOME.

OPENING CEREMONY. Great interest was taken in the opening, this afternoon, of the women s rest home at Awapuni which was recently handed over to the Womens Division of the Farmers’ Union by the trustees of Flock House. There was a large attendance of visitors and members of the division, Mi's J- C. Wickham (Dominion president) welcoming those present. Mrs Wickham said it gave her great pleasure to see such a large number. It was a proud and happy day for the W.D.F.U. The history of Flock House was too well known to need repetition, she added. Girls’ Flock House was no longer needed as a home for seamen’s daughters, and had been given as a rest home. It should be of great service to country women. Times without , number serious illness could be avoided by giving mothers rest in such a home, thus preserving their lives longer. “Kaianga Moe” was the fulfilment of a dream.

Among those to whom invitations had been extended to be present were: —Mr and Mrs A. E.. Mansford (Mayor and Mayoress of Palmerston North), Mrs H. Paterson (Pahiatua), president of the National Council of Women), Professor and Mrs G. S. Peren (Massey College), Miss L M. Banks (Palmerston North Hospital), Mrs H. J. McLeavey (wife of the president of the Manawatu branch of the Farmers’ Union), Mr and Mrs T R Lees, Major Hume. Mr and Mrs A Sutherland, Mrs W. J. Moore (Wairarapa), Miss C. Warburton, -who has been associated with- Flock House, Mr E Newman (chairman of the trustees of Flock House), Miss Kinross (Turakina Maori Girls’ College) Miss D. AVright (Awapuni Home), Mr and Mrs Barnhill, Miss E. Aitken (Crippled Children’s Society), Miss Hazel Johnson (Sarah Anne Rhodes Fellow) and Mr and Mrs J. A. Nash. Manv of the visitors spoke on behalf of'their organisations, congratulating the W.D.F.U. on its excellent work in organising the home and the trustees of the Seamen’s Fund for their generosity in handing over the house and grounds. Several apologies for absence were received, amongst them being one from Lady Galway, and also Hon. 1. Fraser and Hon. W. Lee Martin. Mrs Wickham expressed regret that Mrs W. J. Poison was unable to be present through illness. Mr Newman formally handed over the home. , ~ Tribute* were paid to Mrs W. f . Field by Mr J. A. Nash and Mrs Wickham for her great part in the organisation, and she was presented with a handsome leather bag on behalf ot the executive. , Mrs Wickham was presented with a bouquet by memlners of the Shannon branch of the W.D.F.U. The guests were afterwards entertained at afternoon tea.