Great Day for the Institutes

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 255, 28 October 1942, Page 2

Great Day for the Institutes

MISS JEROME SPENCER HONOURED There was a great gathering of country women at the Y.M-Y.W.C.A. rooms yesterday when Manawatu and Oroua Federations of Women's Institutes heid theii half-yearly council meetings in the morn ing and combined forces in the afternoon to honour Miss Jerome Spencer, 0.8. E., founder, also to celebrate the coming-oi-age of the movement in New Zealand. Manawatu. Mrs. T. D. Lynch presided over the Manawatu meeting and offered a cordiai welcome to the large number present, particularly mentioning tfto guest of honour. On benaif of the executive All's. L. Scott (Aokautere) presented Axiss Spence* and Airs. Lyncn with lioral tributes, anion benaif of Bunnytnorpe, the hostess institute, saouiuer sprays were presented to the executive. Tnero was an apology irom Airs. W. Ohurcmil, member of tub executive, who was indisposed. The meeting stood in silence as a mark oi respect to Lie late Airg. A. Currie, oi Asnnurst, and Airs. J. E. Larsen, Glen Oi*oua, two valued members whose passing was a severe loss to Lie movement. The annual report staled mat much of the work done during tne year was patriotic, and largo numbers of parcels had been sent to members of the Services overseas. Collections of waste paper ano rubber were being made and donations nad been sent to Airs. Penketh for comldrts lor hospital patients. Spinning had been taken up by many institutes and garments were knitted from homespun wool, owing to restrictions and travel difficulties members have been unable to visit other institutes as they would have liked to do. Airs. Lynch, in moving tne adoption of the report, congratulated the members on Lie war worn they were doing and thanked the officers and members for their support and co-operation. Miss Grant added her congratulations. Airs. H. J. Caverhill presented the linancial statement, which was considered most satisfactory. Airs. Gretton (Linton delegate) presented the winning report ol a special effort for the previous six months, her institute having gathereu 51bs. of ergot and received the trophy. Further reports, yet to be judged, were handed in, indicating excellent work. Maintaining of the ideals had been done despite the difficulties. Mrs. Penketh reported on hospital visiting for the federation and thanked donors for money and gifts. She asked delegates to supply her with the names of any members who are in hospital. Airs. Lynch thanked her warmly for the splendid work she was doing and recommended her for a good service badge. A collection was made for hospital visiting, realising the sum ol £4 4s. The competition for the patchwork quilts brougnt a difficult job for Lie judge, Aliss Jerome Spencer, with 22 excellent samples, and resulted: Glen Oroua l, Tokomaru 2, Longburn 3. It was decided to donate the quilts to All Saints’ and Willard Children's Homes. To Honour the Founder. The afternoon combined session was presided over by Miss M. Grant, former president of N. Wellington, the parent federation, wlio welcomed Aliss Spencer ana Airs. H. Barnicoat, of Wellington, member of the nonunion executive, and former treasurer of N. Wellington. Associated witn the cnairman were the two presidents, Mesdames Lyncn and W. G. Snort, the latter having been the former secretary oi N. Wellington. Claiming to nave nad longer association witn Aliss Spencer in the movement than anyoue eise present, Aliss Grant paid L’ibute to tne founder for tne gut sue nad brought to the country women 21 years ago. As to wnetaer the toren sne nad lighted ah that time ago nau been kept burning brighuy was for ner to juuge that day. Tne speaker said it was ner nappy privilege to asK Aliss Spencer to accept a little bit of iNew Zealand in the form oi a bedside table fasmoned of heart of totaia, also a fruit bowl of tne same woou, to mara this special occasion. These nad oceu secured as tne resuit of

mo individual eiforts o*. the institute* in me two leueraliuns ana carried Lie love and gratituue of tne memoers lor the gift of tne institutes, institutes in the Manawatu maue individual gins as symbols of Lie craits they naa learned in Lie institutes, from a line iced cake to exquisitely worked handkerchiefs made from salt oags. Returning tlianks, Miss Spencer, who was accorded musical honours and cheers, said sne had been privileged to bring the movement to New Zealand, but the vitality ot tne institutes had carried it on. The country women had loved and used the movement, keeping the torch burning brightly in fellowship and service, Sne feit overwhelmed witn the gifts and tne woodwork was a lasting and lovely bit of New Zealand. Aliss Spencer went on to speak of the early uays of the movement, the difficulties of travel, and told of many amusing experiences. Saining through it all had been tne kindness of the country women and tiiis happy medium. One can Lust tne good sense of tne country women, Miss Spencer said, referring to ditucuities, and in their hands the movement would be weil taken care of and go on from strengLi to strength, in conclusion Miss Spencer,repeated a verse of ‘‘Comrades and Friends,” the institute song, written by the late Airs. Bibby, one of the pioneers, which expressed the ideals adequately “that they were building a kingdom of peace, so shall we build a kingdom sure and lasting,” that was the message to carry forward.

The company was entertained by Aliss G. Marshall (s tan way) and Airs. H. Cameron (Bunny thorpe) with vocal solos, and Bunny thorpe Glee Singers with selections, Mesdames A. Faulkner and I. Rickard being the accompanists. At the afternoon tea interval the two-tiered birthday cake, made by Airs. Lynch and iced by Airs. A. J. Will (Rongotea), was cut with due ceremony, Airs. Lynch and Airs. Short attending to the candles, Aliss Spencer and Airs. Barnicoat cutting the cake and offering their good wishes. A comprehensive vote of thanks to all who had assisted and the National Anthem terminated proceedings.

Hunoreuxn uircnaay Airs. Alarcella O’Reilly, of Whenuakura, celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday, when she was the guest of honour at a family reunion. She received greetings and congratulations from a wide circle of friends as well as a message from Government House, Wellington. Born on October 24, 1842, Airs. O’Reilly arrived in Wellington accompanied by her husband, the late Air. Gerald O’Reilly, So years ago. They came to Wanganui where Mr. O’Reilly took up carting work for the constabulary. Later Air. and Airs. O’Reilly took up farming at Waverley, and it was there that Mr. O’Reilly died in 1911. Airs. O’Reilly subsequently moved to Wlienuakura, where she has resided quietly, surrounded by members of he; family, of whom there are nine.