Manawatu Women’s Club Enters Upon Another Year

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 279, 25 November 1939, Page 11

Manawatu Women’s Club Enters Upon Another Year

GRATIFYING POSITION DISCLOSED Tho fifteenth annual meeting of the Manawatu Women’s Club, held yesterday in Messrs. Collinsou and Cunninghainc’s clubrooms, drew the usual large attendance. Tho tables were bright with tall vases of Iceland popples and a real party afternoon tea made a pleasing break in proceedings. Welcoming members at the door were Mesdames F. Prain, I. Ellery and S. Bradfield. Mrs. A. E. Hansford presided and associated with lior were Mesdames L. H. Collinson and R. C. Donald (vicepresidents), N. V. Ballinger (honorary secretary), the hostesses and assisting artists. Pleasure was given to the company by Miss Mollio Diederich with vocal solos, her accompanist being Mrs. lan Rickard, also by Miss Esme Scott with humorous elocutionary items. Annual Report The report recorded a gratifying year, there having been an average attendance of 65 at the nine meetings held. Tho financial membership is 112. Fifteen new members, it was stated, had joined during tho year. The annual card afternoon to raise funds for the Porirua Mental Hospital was very successful and was assisted by the play reading circle. The clothing donated by members for the annual garment afternoon was forwarded to the Plunket Society and the District Nurse. Thanks were extended to Mrs. J. H. Stevens for presenting the birthday cake; the play reading circle (the convener, Mrs. R. A. Fuller, being congratulated); Miss M. Cranston and Mesdames Simpson, Donald and Ferguson for arranging the entertainments; Misses N. Scanlan, M. Poole, M. Jones, Dr. Duncan Cook, Messrs. L. Callis and A. R. McKegg for talks; Messrs. Collinson and Cunninghanie, Ltd., for the use of their club room; Mr. C. A. P. Dixon for decorations; Mrs. Coats and staff for their assistance and kindness; the press for reporting activities; Mr. W. F. Goddard for his most appreciated services as hon. auditor, and all who helped in any way. {Speaking to the report, Mrs. Mansford said all would agree that the club had gone ahead during the year ana that the executive had worked wonderfully well, but their work would have been lost without the support of the members, she said. Both executive and members had dono their best to ensure a happy and successful year. The playreading circle, though small, had been of great service and in this connection tribute was paid to the efforts of Mrs. R. A. Fuller as convener, giving of her best to all. The secretary, Mrs. Ballinger, had not spared herself and had always been quick to see what was best for tho club, her efforts contributing largely to the club’s progress. Mrs. Symons, as a new member, added her appreciation and expressed enjoyment of her association in tho club.

Mrs. Fuller appealed to new members to join up with the play-readers. Appreciation was also expressed by the president of the services of Mrs. A. Wilson as secretary of the play-reading circle and of the help given by Miss M. Cranston to make tho activities of tho circle a success.

The secretary presented the financial statement, which disclosed a credit of £lB Is lid, explaining that this was greater than usual, but it was thought wise this year to keep a little more in hand in case of emergency after the usual disbursements had been made.

Disbursements as recommended by tho committee were approved as follow: Mayor’s Christmas fund, £5 ss; Awapuni Home, £3 3s; tea-room staff, £2 11s. It was further resolved to donate £2 2s to the fund for Christmas cheer for the leper station. Election of Officers Mrs. R. C. Donald took the chair for tho election of president, Mrs. Mansford being re-elected unopposed amidst applause. Others elected were as follow:—Vicepresidents, Mesdames L. H. Collinson and R. A. Fuller; honorary secretary, Mrs. N. V. Ballinger (re-elected); committee, Mesdames S. Bradfield, W. J. Honore, J. Mewett and A. Wilson were elected to fill the vacancies.

Mrs. Mansford paid tributo to thretiring members of the executive to th old members continuing in office, am she offered a warm welcome to the neT members.

There was a pleasing incident whe: the president asked Mrs. Ballinger’

acceptance of a well-fiilcd toilet case as a small token of appreciation of her good offices in making 1939 such a wonderful success in the history of tho club. Returning thanks, Mrs. Ballinger said she had enjoyed the work and the executive had been so helpful she could not havo failed.

Mrs. Donald said she, too, had a pleasing duty to perform and on behalf of the club she presented Mrs. Mansford with a lovely bouquet in recognition of her wise leadership. Acknowledging the tribute, Mrs. Mansford said no more acceptable offering could be made to an Australian than flowers.

Thanks to the artists were conveyed by Mrs. Ellery.

The president spoke briefly in praise of the Centennial Exhibition, which she hoped all members would endeavour to see, assuring them it was well worth a visit, and before terminating the meeting she extended seasonal greetings.

Visitors welcomed wero Mesdames W. S. Walker, E. R. Harris and O. H. Smith, all of Palmerston North.