Bush-Wairarapa Federation Honours Mrs. H. Paterson

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 249, 20 October 1937, Page 15

Bush-Wairarapa Federation Honours Mrs. H. Paterson

GOLD BADGE PRESENTED ' Members of Bush-Wairarapa Feder.ation of Women’s Institutes yesterday I paid graceful tribute to Mrs. H. Paterson, forpier Dominion president, at j the half-yearly council meeting at Mangamutu, for her outstanding services to the movement. | In asking her acceptance of ‘ the gold honours badge the president, Mrs. J. D. C. Crewe, said she could not enumerate all Mrs. Paterson’s good qualities as showh during her eleven (years in the movement. When the speaker had been president of Pahiatua W.I. for three years, Mrs. Paterson had done everything possible to assist and then had followed on as an excellent president for three years -erself. They had been proud when she became Dominion president and prouder still when she had. been chosen to go to the tri-ennial conference of the A.C.W.W. in Washington. Mrs. Paterson had not only carried the full w< ! ght of her responsibilities but had worthily upheld the ideals. The members had to thank Dr. Paterson for lending Mrs. Paterson to the Institutes during i ese years and particularly on her return from the conference in travelling about to every federation to present her report. After the founder, Miss Jerome Spencer, there was no-ono more deserving of the honours badge, Mrs. Crewe concluded. '

Mrs. MacDonald presented Mrs. Paterson with a bouquet exprr ng pride that she had been Mangamutu’s first member and had been their delegate when Dominion president.

Musical honours and cheers were enthusiastically accorded the recipient. Mrs. Paterson, who was completely surprised, said the wonder would never fade from her heart of the love and kindness that had been hers from the officers and members. It had been indeed an honour to receive the badge as to be associated with those on the platform. Mrs. Paterson said she had been grateful for mention of the Doctor, who had always given her the greatest encouragement in the work. Sometimes, when the weight of responsibility had been heavy the Doctor had reminded her she had Bush-Wairarapa at the back of her to offer cheer and encouragement and she thanked them for their confidence. She accepted the gift with sincere thanks as a token of all their love.

A floral tribute was also conveyed to Mrs. Paterson from the executive.