WOMEN’S INSTITUTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 123, 23 April 1940, Page 9

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES.

MANAWATU FEDERATION MEETS. The first half-yearly council meeting of the newly constituted Manawatu Federation of Women’s institutes was held at Foxton to-day, when the report stated, inter alia:— “ [’lie activities have been carried on under the shadow of the war in which our Empire is engaged, and to a certain extent have had to be curtailed owing to the petrol restrictions and other causes. The Mi Ison Institute have had the opportunity of assisting the Y.W.C.A. in serving supper to the Maori Battalion in co-operation with other women’s organisations, also cooperating with the Y.W.C.A. in a table-setting competition. A shop in aid of the Fighting Services Appeal was opened on two occasions, in conjunction with the W.D.F.U. and raised over £2O. Members also assisted by collecting for the street appeal, and the efforts of the country women were much appreciated. The appeal to the institutes to pack 2500 parcels of soldiers comforts has met with a ready response in the Manawatu Federation. Other patriotic work is being carried on. The committee was glad to make use of the holiday house at Foxton on two occasions. The first time a number of older girls from the Crippled Children’s Society spent a week under the supervision of Miss E. Aitken (Welfare Officer), and the second time the children from the Willard Home had a fortnight’s holiday, Oroua Federation providing the first week and Manawatu the second. We have been enabled to have Miss Hazel Johnson, Sarah Anne Rhodes Fellow, working among our institutes extensively in November and December, etc. “The institutes are still carrying on their influence for good as is shown in their half-yearly reports. One was responsible for starting a public library in its township, another provided new curtains for the local hall, at another the members scrubbed the floors of tlio hall and church, and in general to hold out the helping hand. But the best effort of all was made by our youngest institute, Kauwhata Maori whose winning report will be read. We congratulate this institute and its president fMrs Poananga) on the splendid work they are doing. Our other new institute, Kelvin Grove, is doing good work also. Throughout the federation there is evidence of useful endeavour for the common good.”