Townswomen’s Guild Reviews Year’s Work

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 69, 23 March 1937, Page 9

Townswomen’s Guild Reviews Year’s Work

..RATIFYING PROGRESS MAINTAINED. The third annual meeting of the Palmerston North Townswomen 's Guild was held in the Empire hall yesterday, Mr. A. E. Mansford presiding over the usual large attendance. Members of the gardening circle had excelled themselves in beautifying the hall, there being a riot of lovely blooms on the stage, in bowls and vases on stands and as a border, vases of sweet 2*eas centring small tables throughout the hall. The members responsible were Mcsdamcs A. Cranston and Gillott. Floral sprays, the artistic work of members of tho gardening circle were thoughtfully presented to members of .the executive. There was a pleasing incident when Mrs. Lyne, on behalf of members of tho gardening circle, presented lovely posies to the president (Mrs. Mansfortf), tho secretary (Mrs. W. 8. Woodroofe), treasurer (Mrs. F. G. Major) and assistantsecretary (Mrs. D. James). Annual Report. The annual report stated, inter alia, that there had been an average attendance of 160 members at the eleven monthly meetings and seventeen visitors. Nine speakers had given addresses cn widely varying subjects and the committee returned thanks to all who had assisted in any way with tho programme. The total membership now stands at 271); 94 new members had joined and 11 had resigned. The five circles had held 72 meetings. Thanks were expressed to all townspeople who had in any way assisted the guild during the past year as their ready cooperation on special days had often saved the committee much work. The guild finished up the year with a credit balance of £l2 Is as disclosed in the balance-sheet presented by Mrs. Major. Moving the adoption of tho annual report and balance-sheet, Mrs. Mansford congratulated the members on having the conclusion of another successful year, both socially and financially. The report covered the major operations of the guild and in this regard the speaker offered her sincere thanks to the members of the executive for their, loyal support and to nil members for their support and encouragement given by their attendance. It was in the presence of the members that made for success. The guild had undoubtedly filled a long-felt want in the city and she trusted that in tin coming year it would meet with furthe: •ucccss. Mesdames W. M. Huntingdon, H. B Free, L. A. Ferguson, C. Mowlem, W, Coutts, de LiUcn, Gillott, A. D. Bark with, and J. W. Davidson were appointed scrutineers for the ballot. Election of Officers. Officers were elected as follow: — President, Mrs. A. E. Mansford (reelected unopposed); vice-presidents, Mesdames T. R. Moore, N. Blackmore, F. J. Nathan, J. A. Nash and A. M. Ongley; hon. auditor, Mr. C. V. Day; committee, Mesdames M. Aitchison, \V. C. Black, J. Barsanti, D. James, W. F. Field, A. Hopwood, G. Lyne, H. Palmer, tepraggon, F. G. Major, A. E. Mansford, V. Stagpoole, W. 8. Woodroofe, Misses Cranston and Grant. General. The announcement of the re-election of Mrs. Mansford as president unopposed, was received with applause. Mrs. Mansford expressed her thanKS for this tribute of appreciation and assured the meeting of her desire at all times to steer the guild as a city organisation and as the wife of its Chief Citizen. It was not always easy running a new movement and it must be remembered the guild was one of the latest organisations to be formed. Mrs. Mansford assured the members that her best endeavours would be given for the guild.

Mrs. Mansford was re-elected chairman, Mrs. Woodroofe secretary, and Mrs. Major treasurer. Tributes were paid to the services of Mesdames Woodroofe and Major, which these ladies acknowledged. Mrs. Woodroofe voiced appreciation of Mrs. Lyne*s generosity m lending her typewriter and presented her with a spray. The secretary Palmerston North branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union wrote soliciting cooperation in Girls’ Education Week to be organised by the Wellington Central Provincial Executive early in May, and Mrs. Mansford urged members to give the same assistance in providing hospitality as last year. Notification was received from the central executive of a meeting convened, to be representative of all existing guilds, to be held in Wellington ti the end of the month for the purpose of deciding the venue of headquarters, asking that a representative t>o cent from Palmerston North. —The president announced that she and the secretary Lad been appointed to attend the meeting. The reports from tho various circle conveners were presented as follow: Mrs. J. Davidson (play-reading), Mrs. G. Lyne (gardening), Mrs. Gold (arts and crafts), Mrs. A. J. McNeilly (music), Miss M. Grant (civics). Mrs. Mansford spoke of the splendid contribution the circles were making to the guild and voiced her thanks to the leaders. Door hostesses were Mesdames H. Sinclair, J. Davidson and A. J. McNeilly, tea conveners wey Mesdames D. Evans and W. F. Field, their helpers Lein:* Mesdames Hallett, R. Hopwood, T. W. Henderson, C. A. Hyde, E. Humphrey, K. A. Holmes, Ilore and Hebberley. The following new members ’were welcomed: Mesdames L. A. Northoy, J. C. Riddell and F. H. Spackman. Moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Mansford, Mrs. Bpraggon said ah 3 thought Mrs. Mansford was the right person in the right place and she as sured her of the continued confidence of tho members. Mrs. Mansford feeling Jy acknowledged these kindly expresI’leasing breaks in the proceedings

were provided by Miss Monica Lynch, who contributed vocal solos accompanied by Mrs. McNeilly and members of the drama circle, who presented an amusing play, **Bing a Bong of Sixpence,” under tho direction of Mrs. J. Davidson, tho cast being Mesdames H. Gillott (who also gave stage directions), J. W. Davidson, J. Davidson, C. L. Turnbull, V. Stagpoole and Sprag gon. At the conclusion members of the cast presented their producer with a box of chocolates in appreciation of her efforts. A comprehensive vote of thanks was passed to Mr. W. Devine, Mr. Red ward, Mesdames Burke and Mcßrearty, the Press, the City Council, nil who had helped with monthly meetings, those responsible for the lovely decorations

month by month, to Mr. Day, honorary auditor, and tho scrutineers. A very busy afternoon terminated with the National Anthom.