Women’s Division of Farmers’ Union

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6834, 15 April 1932, Page 2

Women’s Division of Farmers’ Union

ANNUAL MEETING OF F.N. BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Women’s Division of tho Farmers’ Union was held at Messrs Collinson and Cunninghamo’s yosterday, Mrs. W. Howell (Raumai) presiding over a fair attendance or members. Annual Report.

The fifth annual report stated mat the roll number of the branch stood at IGO, 25 of whom were new members. Ten committee meetings had ben hold, tho average attendance being quite satisfactory. During May an invitation had been received to affiliate with the Wellington Provincial Council, which was accepted, as there was no prospect at present of a Manawatu provincial being formed. Mesdamcs Armstrong and Green, together with the president, were appointed delegates and attended meetings held at Marton, Podding and Bulls, but owing to short notice were not able to go to Taihape. Much good should result from these meetings as the provincial council consists of representatives of seven branches. '

The president (Mrs. Howell) and Mrs. Shaw represented the branch at the annual conference held ia Wellington. Mesdamcs Bond, Howell and Shaw, advisory members of the housekeepers’ auxiliary, attended the meeting held in Palmerston North in September and the president also attended tho meetings held in Wanganui in November, and Mastcrton in'March. Mrs. Shaw has replaced Mrs. Hughes on the Central Rejicf Committee and with Mrs. Croucher helps at the depot. Regret was expressed that owing to her removal to Hastings, Mrs. Lord had resigned as hon. secretary. Her assistance in raising funds and as a regular visitor to hospital would bo greatly missed. Mrs. Davidson kindly consented to fill tho position in the meantime. Tho services of Miss Alderson would also bp lost to the committee owing to removal from the district. The year's social activities commenced with the anniversary tea at which addresses were given by Mrs. C. Jackson, Dominion president, and Mrs. A. AlcCorkindale, Dominion vice-president. In May the farmers attending the interprovincial conference in Palmerston North were entertained by members of the Division to afternoon tea. Mrs. Essex gave an interesting nddress on “The Prevention of Disease’’ at an afternoon in December. Members of the branch contributed tho programme at a meeting in Pahiatua. ‘ Card evenings at Mrs. .Shaw’s residence and at Newbury, with a bridge afternoon in Palmerston North resulted in the sum of £ll 5s Sd being added to the funds. A street stall realised £5 12s and competitions for a handkerchief sacli'ct donated by Mrs. Davidson realised £1 ISs Gd, also a bod jacket donated by Mrs. Howell realised £3 3s. The sum of £lO 5s was forwarded to the community chest and £1 bad been distributed to throe families in the district to pay for housekeepers. Woven of the Division’s housekeepers were sent to homes in tills area, and Mrs. Shaw had also placed about six women in employment.

Thanks were duo to Mrs. Croucher for taking charge of hooks, two cases of which were being sent to the 'Wanganui Book Club, and at the request of the Dominion secretary one to a branch in Taranaki. Thanks wero also due to the Aokautere and Tokoniaru Women’s Institutes for contributions of books, and to Pohangina Women’s Institute for a donation of £l, to the Farmers’ Union for a hat collection, to Mrs. t.ord and Mrs. Davidson, lion, and assistant treasurers, to Messrs Collinsoii and Cunxiinghame for the use of a room for meetings, to Mr. Harrington for auditing the books, to Miss Beard for many acts of kindness, and to the Press. Thanks were also expressed to jhisdames Hughes, Green, Lancaster, Field, Shaw, Croucher, Davidson, Doherty and Miss Alderson for donating prizes and to Mrs. Shaw, hdn. secretary, on whom much of the burden of carrying on the activities of the branch rested. The balance sheet, showing a credit of

£G 14s 6d, should bo considered quite satisfactory in viow of tho financial stress. —Tho report aud balanco sheet were adopted. Mrs. Field corpplimented the president on the comprehensive statement of ■affairs, the meeting endorsing these remarks by acclamation.

Election of Officers. The election of officers for the ensuing year rosultcd: President, Mrs. W. Howell (re-elected); vice-presidents, Mesdamcs Bond, H. R. Green, F. JNathan, G. Shannon, .1. B. Cunniughanic; committee, Mesdamcs Croucher, W. F. Field, T. Close, Davison, Armstrong, Doherty, Martin, Smith, Lancaster, Sinclair; hon. secretary, Airs. .1. Shaw (rc-clccted); hon. treasurer, Airs. Davison. The sum of £2 2s was unanimously voted to the secretary as a small recognition of her services throughout tho year. Airs. H, R. Green was elected delegate to attend the annual conference with the president. Alesdames Green and Armstrong wore appointed delegates to the provincial council meetings. Alesdames Shaw and Bond were : elected to represent tho branch on tho housekeeper auxiliary. Airs. Croucher agreed to bo responsible for the collection of books for the book club. Arrangements for the anniversary celebrations were discussed, it being decided to hold a luncheon and to invite, amongst others, ‘ the Dominion president (Mrs. C. C. Jackson) and Mrs. Poison. On this occasion the bouquet presented to Airs. Poison on the opening of the branch, which has since reposed in tho freezing chamber, will bo brought out as arranged. The meeting was unanimously in favour of the annual conference being held this year. Airs. Howell returned thanks to Airs. Croucher for her assistance in making bouquets on various occasions, the motion being carried by acclamation. A delicious afternoon tea was then served at a charmingly arranged taotc and members enjoyed a little time for informal conversation. Committee Meeting.

Prior to the annual meeting the usual monthly meeting was held, Airs. Howell presiding. There were also present Mesdamcs Doherty, H. R. Green, J. B. Cunninghame, Croucher, Davidson, Smith, Alartin, Hughes, Armstrong, Bond, W. F. Field, J. Shaw and Aliss Grant.

Apologies for absence were received from Alesdames Lancaster, T. Close and Cameron. A letter of thanks for contributions of books from the Palmerston North branch, was received from tho acting secretary of tho Division’s book club. Sympathy with Airs. Alartin, secretary of the book club, was expressed in her illness, Airs. Shaw being directed to forward a letter to this effect.

It was agreed to send a case of books to the Okoke branch, Taranaki, and to pay the carriage on same. Tho secretary submitted a report showing that during the year just ended tho book club had sent out 2000 books and 1500 magazines to hospitals, unemployment camps, privato homes, etc.

The secretary reported that as a result of a euchre party at Newbury, the funds had benefited to the extent of £3 Lis Od.