Country Women Foregather

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 215, 10 September 1943, Page 2

Country Women Foregather

The Apiti Women's Institute and Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union joined forces on Tuesday, and despite the wet and wintry weather conditions, there was a large gathering to celebrate the 13th birthday of the W.I. and the Sth birthday of the W.D. Mrs. W. M. Duncan and Mrs. G. Watkins, W.D. vice-presi-dent, welcomed everyone, after the Pray-

er for Peace had been recited when all present stood in sympathy with Mrs. W. Hogan and relatives of the late PilotOfficer Harold Beard. The W.D. president, Mrs. F. C. Massey, was unable to be present, but sent greetings for a happy birthday. All present were reminded about patriotic parcels for men overseas. Regret at Mrs. Bensemann's departure from Apiti was expressed by several speakers who paid tribute to her sei*vices to the W.I. Opportunity will be taken to present her with a gift when she revisits Apiti shortly. Mrs. Lambie expects to leave Apiti in the near future and good wishes for the health and happiness of Mr. and Mrs. Dambie and famiiy in the new sphere at Tonga were expressed by the president. Miss Muriel Prujean gave pleasure with her singing. Mrs. R. H.

Guthrie left her listeners with much food for thought following her interesting talk on “Reconstruction” from the viewpoint of a country woman who urged her fellow members of both organisations to do all in their power to mate country home life attractive to the young people now growing up, as a happy home was a vital factor in preventing the drift from counti*y to town. Mrs. Watkins moved the vote of thanks to Mrs. Guthrie and Miss Catherine Mclntyre presented her with fragrant freesias and violets from her garden. At afternoon tea time, the birthday cake, made by Mrs. J. McCrea and artistically iced by Mrs. W. R. Pratt, was cut by Mrs. Guthrie, who wished both organisations, many happy returns and voiced the hope that the next birthday would be celebrated in time of peace. Mesdames Watkins and Duncan also joined in the cake cutting and expressions of good wishes. Greet.ngs were received from Mrs. H. Barnlcoat, Dominion, president of W.l.’s; Mrs. J. Harris, Provincial president of the W.D.F.U.; Utuwai W.I. and Table Flat W. 1.; Martpn Block, W.D.F.U.; Mrs. Duncan, senr. (Gisborne) and Miss Gilmore-Smith (Waverley). Visitors judged the competitions as follows:—W.D.F.U.: Jar of marmalade, Mrs. N. J. Viles 1, Miss Strahan 2, Mrs. H. C. Mclntyre 3; vase of polyanthus, Mrs. H. C. Mclntyre; patchwork cushion, Mrs. R. Jacob; W.I. best daffodil, Mrs. McIntyre 1, Mrs. F. Munro 2, Mrs. W. M. Duncan 3 (Mrs. Hogan’s prize); gingerbread (Mrs. J. R. Osborne’s prize), Mrs. L. Martin 1, Mrs. Mclntyre 2, Mrs. Munro 3; vase of spring flowers, Mrs. Munro 1, Mrs. Mapson 2, Mrs. Duncan 3. A comedy playette was well acted by ,Mesdames Woolman, H. Schmidt, E. Clifton, VV. R. Pratt and Miss G. Digby. Hostesses who served the tea and arranged attractive vases of spring flowers were Mesdames Harland, Nix. Prujean, J. Mapson, Knight, J, R. Osborne and Miss M. Pru- , jean.