WOMEN'S INSTITUTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 279, 24 October 1940, Page 11

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES.

MANAWATU FEDERATION

At Kauwhata yesterday an unusual setting was provided for the halt-year-ly council meeting of the Manawatu Federation of Women's Institutes, the hostess institute consisting of Maori members. There were over 170 persons at the morning session, many more arriving tor the afternoon. Delegates and visitors were welcomed on by Mrs A. Poauanga, president of Kauwhata institute, associated with her being Mrs Butler. Miss M. Grant presided and the guest speaker was Miss Amy Kane, Dominion president. Executive members present were Mesdames T. Lynch (Linton), J. Easton (Shannon), W. Churchill (Rongotea), D. Scott (Aokautere), W. M, McClelland (Kairanga), E. Dyinock (Milson), H. V. Caverhill and T. Collins (Rongotea). Mrs Poananga oifered a warm welcome, expressing the very great pleasure of the Kauwhata-members at the occasion and particularly at the presence of the Dominion president. Miss Grant added a welcome on behalf of the executive, especially mentioning Miss Kane, Mrs W. G. Short (Cheltenham), president of the Oroua Federation, Mrs Barnieoat (Wellington), member of the Dominion executive, and Mrs A. McCorkindale, Oroua executive member.

The report, alter tracing the activities of the past six months, added: "To-day we are making history in the progress of our federation and probably in'the Dominion by holding our: first council meeting as the guests of our Maori members, and this is indeed j a-red-letter day to find ourselves basking in the gracious hospitality of Kauwhata members under the leadership J of their president (Mrs Poananga) with j the privilege of gathering in their beautiful meetinghouse. May this be | the forerunner of many more meetings | in such happy, association. We go forIward in our work secure in the knowledge of the useful purpose it can serve J in our communities and as women banded together, for service for our j Empire, our homes and our country, | not forgetting the responsibility of each one of us to. plan now for the peace that must surely come when these dark days are over that we may not be found wanting." In moving the adoption of the report the president thanked the institutes for their ready co-operation, also the secretary and treasurer and members of the executive. Mrs Churchill seconded the motion and paid a tribute to the work of Mrs Collins (hon. secretary). Mrs Caverhill presented the financial statement, which showed a satisfactory position. A small trophy was presented to the Linton delegate, that institute's special effort in staging a poultry drive for funds being adjudged the best for the previous six months. Floral tributes were handed to Miss Kane, Miss Grant and Mrs Poananga by Mrs Churchill, and shoulder' sprays were aiso presented to the executive members and guests of honour. Mrs Poananga added her members' tributes in the form of dainty pois. At luncheon the members found a great surprise awaiting them. Instead of the usual picnic lunch, the Maori members had provided a complete dinner cooked in Maori style. In the dining-hall long tables set with snowy cloths' were centred with tall vases of flowers and laden with every conceivable dainty. No tribute is too high for the work undertaken by the Maori members. . . Kauwhata members entertained after ! lunch with action songs and poi dances and Mrs Walker contributed vocal solos, accompanied by Mrs Churchill. Proceedings continued on the marae, further interest being provided by the taking of a moving picture. Miss Kane commended the Kauwhata' ■members on their progress and the good work they were carrying out. It was gratifying to find throughout New Zealand that working for a common objective had brought the members closer together, and she stressed the need for "thinking forward" in order that all might worthily take their part in the rehabilitation and the new social order that must come. She congratulated the Manawatu Federation on its progress and expressed the hope that there would be a continuation of useful endeavour. Mrc Lynch conveyed thanks to Miss Kane. . Many matters were discussed, including soldiers' parcels and the potatogrowing competition. In regard to the latter, Manawatu decided to follow the lead of Oroua, institutes to decide on their own special competition, for federation funds. Mrs Short conveyed greetings from Oroua and her thanks for the hospitality, and was supported by Mrs Barnieoat. 'The invitation of Tiakitahnna was accepted for the annual meeting. The Keiller Trophy was presented by Miss Kane to tho Rongotea Institute, which shared championship honours with Sanson at the Winter Show. It was agreed that the next show display be on similar lines. By special request Kauwhata members sang "Maori Battalion." and before the singing of the National Anthem musical honours and cheers were accorded the hostesses and performers, cheers being also given lor Misses Kane and Grant.