Women’s Institutes

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 10

Women’s Institutes

RONGOTEA The first meeting of the new year was well attended. The president, Mrs. McKay, upon taking the chair for the first time, extended a warm welcome to all present. She thanked members for their confidence in her and expressed an earnest wish to do all in her power to carry on the wonderful work which had been done by Mrs. Caverhill over a number of years. Apologies for absence were recoived from Mesdames A. Hill. C, Davison, Fieldhouse and Hintz, while a letter of greeting was received from Mrs. J. and Miss Betty Aird, two members who recently left the district. A general discussion took place with regard to the question of forming both a gardening’circle and also a box group. A number of keen gardeners expressed a wish to commence meetings immediately, and April 20 was fixed for the first meeting, Mrs. Hill kindly inviting members to her home for that date. The proposed formation of a bo-- group met with enthusiasm and two definite circles are being formed, one to meet in tho afternoon and the other in the evening, on the second Wednesday in tho month, the first ‘‘box” to be received in May. As tho afternoon programme was both lengthy and interesting, it was definitely decided to hold a special meeting in June to consider all the remits for the Dominion conference, and only those remits which the committee judged ot' special importance were dealt with. Members entered spiritedly into discussion of these matters and it was finally decided to forward two amendments to remits. Tho question of a delegate and delegate’s expenses was next considered. There were three nominations for a delegate, Mrs. Collins finally being chosen to represent Rongotea. Several ‘‘special effort’’ afternoons and evenings are tq be held to raise funds to assist with expenses in this connection. It was also agreed that the institute should send a gift to the sales stall at the conference, and Mrs. McKay generously offered to make the gift, her offer being accepted with applause. As a number of members are most anxious to receive instruction in brass-work, and others wish to finish articles on hand, Wednesday, April 27, was fixed for the first class. An alteration is to be made in the method of awarding prizes for the monthly competitions, and members decided for this year to adopt tho “end of the year points’ prize’’ system, making the awards first, second and third. Mrs. Caverhill is donating a prize for the members having most entries for the year. Mrs. Friedrich is also giving a points’ prize for a “best bloom in the garden ’ ’ monthly competition. The winners of the wholemeal scone competition were Mrs. Sterne 1, Mrs. Davison 2, Miss Nutt 3 in the senior section, with Misses L. Ransom 1, L. Davis 2 and M. Will 3 in the junior group. The sixpenny bring and buy brought in quite a nice little sum the winner of the best sixpennywortL being Mrs. Fried- , rich. The resolutions for the federation council meeting created subjects for discussion, and members were urged to make an effort to attend this meeting, which takes place at the end of this month. The business part of tho afternoon being concluded, members partook of a much needed afternoon tea and then settled down to listen to a talk by their oldest member, Mrs. Dafter, on the early history of New Zealaud. Mrs. commenced her talk with the landing of the first immigrant ship on January 22, 1840, and told of the arrival of her grandfather and his family in Wellington on March 7, IS4O, the voyage out from England having taken six months. The day following their landing was Sunday and the first church service in New Zealand was held on thr L day at Petone under a clump of karaka trees, while all around were nikau palms, tree ferns, tall flax and toe toe in full bloom. Mrs. Dafter’s talk teemed with stirring incidents and many personal anecdotes, all showing the sturdy independence of the pioneers. Members listened intently, occasionally bursting forth into laughter at some particularly humorous iucident related in the speaker’s own inimitable style. These fascinating reminiscences ended all too soon and the president moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Dafter for her delightful contribution to the afternoon’s programmo. A most pleasing interlude was the presentation of a beautiful crystal bowl to Mrs. Caverhill. In asking Mrs. Caverhlil to accept the gift with the love of all the members, Mrs. Collins spoke of her long service to the institute, lasting over a period of nine years, first as secretary and then as president. Members all realised that it was only through the leadership of Mrs. Caverhill that the institute had been so successful; she had at all times given of her very best. Mrs. McKay, in handing a dainty posy to Mrs. Caverhill, endorsed all the remarks of the previous speaker, musical honours then being vociferously accorded the recipient. Mrs. Caverhill, who was taken completely by surprise, thanked the members for their thought, saying that they had given her something which would bo a lasting memory of the institute, and with it something which money could not buy, their love and esteem. She felt that she had done only what had seemed her duty and had endeavoured to do what seemed best for everyone at all times. The final item on the afternoon’s programme was the first golden thread talk on nutrition. This was given by Mrs. W. A. Churchill, who covered the general principles of nutrition as a science and the wido field it covers, stressing the importance of the dairy products of our own country and tho value of a well chosen diet. The lecturettc concluded with a brief classification of the various kinds of foods and their functions, and also suggestions for further talks. Mrs. Churchill asked members to avail themselves of 1 the lectures received from Miss John- , son, and the interest was evidenced by the request for these at the conclusion of the meeting. PAPATAWA. At the April meeting there was a large attendance of members and three new members, Mrs Piric, Miss MeKinlay and Mips Phillips were enrolled. Mrs E. Martin presided and welcomed all members and hoped that the new

members would enjoy all the meetings they were able to attend. Mrs Martin drew the member’s attention to the new programmes, and mentioned that a new innovation was being attempted and that was a “golden thread” this year that entailed a talk on different countries each mouth by one of the members. Next month the country chosen is Denmark, and tho speaker, Mrs Munro. These talks should bo very interesting and instructive. The meeting then became a social one and items were contributed by Miss Martin (song) and Miss Goldsworthy (pianofortesolo). These items were well enjoyed. The accompaniments were played by Mrs L. Gleadou. A roll-call “ What 1 like about the person on my right” caused much merriment and many of the members learnt things about themselves about which they were ignorant before the meeting. A competition involving the names of the people in the district was won by Miss Gilbert. The usual monthly competition resulted:— Seniors: Sponge roll, Miss Eades; juniors: two plain, two fancy cakes, Miss Goldsworthy. The competition for the shield which is competed for annually by the senior members was won by Mrs R. Bradley, who has been a most consistent competitor and she was heartily congratulated. The junior annual trophy was won by Miss Goldsworthy who also won it last year. Afternoon tea was served by tho hostesses and a pleasant afternoon was brought to a close.

The Papatawa Garden Circle paid a visit to Mr Gibbs nursery at Mangatea on Saturday afternoon and although there was light showers a very pleasant and instructive afternoon was spent by all who made the trip. Bulbs and anemones and rununculi are being distributed among the members and it is hoped that good results will be shown in tho spring. The next meeting will be at the residence of Mrs R. Cunningham, when a lecturer will be present to give a talk on gardening. APITI Mrs. W. M. Duncan preside’ over a good attendance at tho April meeting. Apologies were received from Mesdames Prujean, Stanley, G. Duncan, Coombridge and Miss McKay. Mrs. Starborough, a visitor from Woodville, was welcomed as also were two new members, Mrs. Willis and Miss Shirley Prujean. Mrs. Coombridge leaves the district next week and regret was expressed at tho loss of such an interested member. Mrs. Bird made a charming floral posy in tones of bronze, amber and pink and she will present this to Mrs. Coombridge with the best wishes of all members, for her future happiness. There was much business in connection with the women’s institute dance on April 29, and the delegates chosen to attend the federation annual meeting were Mesdames C. Stanley and W. Hogan. Several members offered their services at the Anzac Day afternoon tea. Mesdames A. W. Bird and C. M. Stanley were elected as vicepresidents and Miss S. Malone is the competitions points’ secretary for the year. The potatoes are to be weighed and brought to next meeting when they will be sold for federation funds. £1 was voted to the home science committee for use in connection with the studies arranged for the High School girls. Mrs. Bird outlined tho studies already undertaken by the girls and mentioned that W.I. and W.D.F.U. members have kindly promised valuable assistance to the programme prepared by the combined committee. The catering for the sheep dog trials proved very successful and members decided to use some of the funds available to purchase extra cups, saucers and vases for institute use. Miss L. Spence had a very interesting story to tell of her recent holiday visit to Australia. A party of 40 New Zealanders visited Milford Sounds and the Bluff and then went on to Melbourne where a very happy week of sight-seeing included visits to the Royal Mint, to the art gallery, and to many other interesting places including a conducted tour through the Myer’s Emporium, which is the largest business of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Sydney with its beautiful harbour and famed bridge was also visired as were the Blue Mountains and the wonderful Jenolan Caves. Steel works at Newcastle provided the speaker with a very interesting topic and members felt that Miss Spence had really shared her delightful holiday with them by her happy comments on the places visited as well as by tho collection of photographs. Mrs. John Osborne moved the vote of thanks to Miss Spence who was presented with a dainty shoulder spray in token of the institute’s appreciation. Miss S. Malone was the competitions steward and Mrs. H. Stanborough judged with the following results: Best bloom, Mrs. McNicol .1, Mrs. Benseman 2, Mrs. W. Duncan 3; jar of gooseberry jam, Mrs. Hogan 1, Mrs. J. R. Osborne 2, Mrs. Bird 3; tomato sauce, Mrs. W. Hogan 1. Mesdames J. Malone, F. Munro, M. E. A. Martin and L. A. Martin have kindly donated prizes for the novelty dances. Mesdames J. R. .Stewart, G. Watkins and Misses Stanley and Strahan were responsible for the attractive vases of flowers and they also served afternoon tea.