North Wellington Federation Of Women’s Institutes

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 99, 30 April 1935, Page 2

North Wellington Federation Of Women’s Institutes

' ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING At tlio annual council meeting of tho North Wellington. Federation of Womou’s Institutes, to be held in Palmerston North to-day, the following report, covering tho period between October and April, will be presented: ’‘Organisation. —Our federation territory is now becoming fairly closely organised, and thoro are only a few moro openings available for institutes, so that wo have reached a stage in our development where wo must cudeavour to improve and consolidate that which wo already have. It has been tho aim of your committee during its term of offico to try and visit every institute at least once during tho year to give helpful advice and assistance wherover possible, and our president has set tho example by personally visiting as many W.l.'s as possible. Group meetings also have been

a means of tho executive members meeting with the officers and delegates from.many of tho institutes. Wo are hoping in the near future to hold a school for officers and organisers, and so give members every opportunity of becoming competent and useful members of our great organisation. Northern Wellington Federation lias become a member of the National Council of Women, and our president, Miss Grant, and vice-president, Mrs McGorkindale, are our representatives. Tho particular subject chosen for study during the year is child welfare, and the various organisations affiliated are each concentrating on one particular section. The subject wo have chosen is secondary education and vocational training, and in planning programmes for the coming months, wo suggest that institutes include a lecture or paper on this subject. Discuss tho facilities of secondary education in your own district and endeavour through your institute to overcomo the difficulties. “Beach houses. —We have to report a very successful year for our beach houses. Paraparaumu has been let practically continuously, and wo have to thanlc the beach sub-eommittce for looking after our interests there for us. • Foxton holiday house also has been a payable proposition, and now that we have a resident caretaker onco more, we hope members will continue to make use of this house during the coming Easter and school holidays. Its large, sunny living room makes it

a cheerful holiday house, even in the wiutor months. During tho recent drought a grass lire burnt all the fences and cams to within a foot or two of the house, and but for the timely assistance of the beach fire brigade at Foxton, tho house and our furnishings would undoubtedly have been burnt, too. Wo are deeply indebted to those voluntary helpers who worked all night in checking the lire. “Glubrooms. —Your committee has been rather disappointed that moro use has not been made of our clubrooms. At the request of several institutes these rooms have been kept open on Saturdays, but very few members have availed themselves of tho opportunity o£ using them. ‘ ‘Handcrafts and shows. —A\ c have to congratulate Aslihurst W.I, that, in a display held in Woodville by the Bush-Wairarapa Federation, it carried oil' first prize and a special prize for the best thrift article. A summer luncheon competition was held in connection with tho Feilding A. and F. Association show, and seven tables were entered by W.l.’s. Makino Institute gained Ist and 2nd prizes, and the competition attracted large crowds of visitors. Several institutes in the federation have had the Dominion handcraft loan collection for exhibition to their members.

"Calendars.—Our 1935-30 calendar lias been most successful and is being looked forward to all over the Dominion as an annual' ovent. Tlio proceeds from sales are to be divided between the Dominion, Busli-Wairarapa, and Northern ■Wellington Federations. Once inoro we have to thank Mrs N. 51. Burnett for undertaking the work of distribution for both federations.

“Music, folkdancing and drama have all taken their share on our institute programmes, and with the return of cooler weather there should bo greater activity in these sections of our w oik. "In conclusion we would thank those institutes that have assisted us with the various community efforts undertaken and all who by their spirit ol friendly co-operation have helped us to carry on the work of this great organisation. ’ ’

JIAMUA Mrs Hobbs presided over a very large attendance at the April meeting of the Hamua W.T. Two new members wicre welcomed. Mesdamcs Warnes and Bailey were appointed delegates to attend the half-yearly council meeting at Carterton. Miss K. Smith was elected Press correspondent. Seeds from the Garden of Friendship were distributed. Mrs Wood, Masterton, gave a very I interesting demonstration on deeoratj ing .bowls and the making of posies, shoulder-sprays and gents’ buttonholes. Mrs Cowlam, a visitor from i u Eketahuna, who was presented witu a delightfully novel posy made entirely of sweets, complimented members on the wonderful display of flowers and urged the ladies to hold an autumn show. Mrs White gained first place in the competition for tho best apple pie and Mesdames Biddio and W. J. Smith tied for second place, Tho potato competition was won by Mrs Hobbs. Next month’s competition will be the prettiest posy of flowers. Votes of thanks were accorded the judges, Mesdames Wood and Cowlam, and also to tho hostesses, Mrs Cavanagh and Miss Cavanagh.