Mothers’ Union Members Meet in Garden Setting

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 47, 23 February 1940, Page 5

Mothers’ Union Members Meet in Garden Setting

AT THE HOME OF MRS. H. G. BAGNALL Following their usual custom, members of All Saints’ branch of the Mothers’ Union held their first meeting of the year in tho beautiful grounds surrounding the homo of Mr. and Mrs. 11. G. Bagnall, Te Awe Awe Street. Favoured witli a delightful sunny afternoon the outing was most enjoyable for all with an informal programme and opportunity to sit and chat under the grand spreading oak tree which is a feature of this garden, or wander. at will among the gay flower beds which were filled with the colourful blooms of this season. A diversion was caused by an amusing tape-cutting competition, which was won by Mrs. Bottcher. Afternoon tea was served by Mesdames R. Carruthers, A. Hunt, W. R. Bigham and J. P. Stubbs. Canon G. Y. Woodward thanked Mrs. Bagnall for her hospitality on behalf of the members. Mrs. Bagnall, he said, had entertained the Mothers’ Union at their opening meeting for a number of years, and he believed it was a joy to her as well as the members. He reminded the gathering that the patronal festival, the Annunciation, would not fall on March 25 this year as that would be Easter Monday, but was transferred to April 2. The Mothers’ Union would celebrate with a corporate Communion and it was hoped to have a special preqchcr. There would be a dinner afterwards, and music by the Mothers’ Union choristers, also a play presented by Rev. de Candol^.

Canon Woodward went on to survey the prospects of the coming year, saying that if anyone understood the meaning of war it was a mother. Th 9 members would all bo expected to help by sending comforts to the forces and in many other ways they would be called on to add all their weight and power to help win tho war. Several members had already promised to assist with the supper at the Maori Camp, and tho choir would givo items at a concert. Everyone must help to win tho war to step aggression and bring lasting peace. Mothers who had to .give their sons must be brave and remember that all wero warriors for God, King and country. Canon Woodward exhorted his hearers to pray earnestly that tho war would soon end in victory for the British Empire and its splendid ally, France, also for that magnificent little nation, Finland. Mrs. A. Pritchard gave an account of tho visits paid to tho hospital by herself and Mrs. 11. Rouse. These visits were much appreciated and Mrs. Pritchard appealed to members for magazines to give to the patients . Mrs. Crowley had agreed to assist with the hospital visiting, and Mcsdames Ratcliffe and E. Pees were appointed visitors for the following month. The secretary (Mrs. C. E. Metcalfe) reminded members of the annual meeting.