Women’s Institute Branch Meetings

Northern Advocate, 23 March 1935, Page 4

Women’s Institute Branch Meetings

Maromaku

The annual meeting of the Maromaku Institute was held at the residence of Mrs D. Ross on Thursday, March 7, with an attendance of 11 members. After the singing of “Comrades and Friends,” a new member was welcomed. The annual report and balance sheet was adopted. During the year, donations had been given to the calf club, the school Christmas tree fund, and a parcel of clothing forwarded to Sister Pat of the Auckland City Mission. The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs J. Atkins, junr.; secretary and treasurer, Mrs D. Ross; vice-presi-dents, Mesdames A. Brydon and G. Ross; committee, Mesdames Clark, Webb, Wright, and Miss M. Clark; press correspondent, Mrs G. Ross. ..Mrs J. Atkins, junr., won the com petition points prize with Mrs A. Brydon second. Babies Claire Forsyth and Desmond Webb were presented with suitable plates. Mrs Roberts, a visitor from Auckland, sang two songs, and the meeting concluded with afternoon tea and a social half-hour.

Puma

The annual meeting of the Purua Institute was held on March 7 at the tennis courts. There was a good attendance of members and several visitors. The president read a report of the Institute’s progress and then called on the secretary to read a report of the year’s activities and balance-sheet.

! The election resulted: —President, Mrs R. Thomas; vice-president, Mrs Goates; Secretary, Mrs R. Dyer; committee, Mesdames Clotworthy, Brown, A. A. Finlay son, R. Finlayson, G. Dyer, Shepherd; press correspondent, Mrs Frood".

The roll-call was a summer pudding. An original competition supplied by Mrs Frood was won by Miss E; Drake with Mrs R. Dyer second. ■’The tellers, Mrs I. Heath and Mrs J£. MscKay, were accorded a vote of thanks!'

Waipu

The Waipu Institute celebrated its fourth birthday with a picnic held on the Ruakaka Domain. The Takahiwai Institute, which has been grouped with Wafpu, joined them and demonstrated a kapa Maori. It was extremely interesting and the dinner, consisting of meat and three or four kinds of vegetables, was cooked to a turn. It was served in individual, flax baskets, also the work of the Takahiwai members. There was a good attendance by both Institutes, about 150 people sitting down to dinner.

Duets and quartettes ( by the Takahiwai members were very much enjoyed, and community singing passed the time pleasantly while the dinner cooked. The day was a great success, and hopes' were expressed for another picnic at a future date.

Maunu

The annual meeting of the Maunu Institute was held on March 15, at the home of Mrs D. Wilson. The president, Mrs H. Hawkin, presided over a good attendance. One new member was enrolled.

The report and balance sheet was read and adopted. This showed a very satisfactory state of affairs. The following officers were elected; —President, Mrs Dorehill; vice-presidents, Mrs Snell and Mrs H. Hawkin; committee, Mesdames Snell, Beaumont, J. M. Clarke, Teasdale, D. Wilson, H. Hawkin, J. I. Wilson, Miss Millington.

Marohemo

The annual meeting of the Marohemo Institute was held on Thursday, with a fair attendance of members. The ballot resulted as follows:—-Presi-dent, Mrs Petrie: vice-president, Miss Trewin; secretary, Miss Hellier; treasurer, Miss McKenzie; committee, Mesdames Fergus, Goulsbro, Miss Petrie. The roll-call, “An Ideal Place for a Holiday,” brought forth some interesting suggestions. The competition for drawing a pig while blindfolded was won by Mrs F. Robertson.

Opoukeno

The February meeting of the Opoukeno Institute was held in the hall, the vice-president being in charge owing to the absence of the president. In the competition, Mrs Meyer was first and Mrs Canoyan and Mrs Parker second. Prizes were given by Mrs McKenzie. A sweets competition was judged by two of the husbands, Mrs Christie being judged first and Miss Maisie Gregory second. A serviette ring was given to an institute baby.

A display of goods from the returned soldiers was on view, and a great many were sold, while orders were taken for other goods. The election of officers for the coming year takes place at the next monthly meeting. The hostesses for the afternoon were Mrs A. Alexander, Mrs Bailey, and Mrs Canavan.

Taurikura

The .Taurikura Women’s Institute celebrated its third birthday by holding a picnic at Urquhart’s Bay. Owing to the unsettled weather no visitors turned out. The day cleared up, and lunch time found the Institute members and their families enjoying the sunshine. The birthday cake, made by Mrs Kerr and iced by Mrs Mcßae, was the main feature of the afternoon tea table. During the afternoon, the competition points prizes for the year were awarded, Mrs Urquhart being first, and Mrs Wilson second. The members also presented the secretary, Mrs Potter, with a sandwich dish. Ice cream and lolly scrambles were provided for the children. At the close of the day, the president, Mrs Urquhart thanked all the members for making it such an enjoyable picnic.

Helena Bay

The Helena Bay Women’s Institute

held its meeting this month at the home of Mrs Le Clerc. Owing to the inclement weather the attendance was smaller than usual. The roll-call was fcr a favourite quotation and the name of the author. A jumble sale was arranged for the benefit of the local tennis club. Musical items were rendered by members and helped to pass a social hour. The hostesses for the day, Mesdames Le Clerc and Connell, served afternoon tea.

Hukatere

The annual meeting of the Hukatere Institute was held at the residence of Mrs Robson on March 6. The retiring president, Mrs Bourne, was presented with a bouquet of flowers. The election of officers for the forthcoming year, resulted; —President, Mrs Bourne; secretary and treasurer, Mrs Haughey.

The guessing of the greatest ■ number of articles in a safety-match box was won by Miss Robson, who was presented with a small prize. Afternoon tea was served, and a hearty vote of thanks passed to Mrs Robson for the use of her home.

Titoki

' The annual meeting of the Titoki Institute was held in the Titoki Hall on March 7. I’he annual report and balance-sheet was read and adopted. Mrs Jack, as delegate to the council meeting in Whangarei last November, gave a full report of the day’s proceedings. -

Prizes were presented to the members gaining the highest aggregate points in the year’s competitions. Miss P. Fraser being first, Mesdames Lyddiard and Jack second, and Mrs Soich third. Mrs .Harding and Miss E. Reid, who judged the entries in the home- ; made bread competition, awarded first, second and third prizes to Mesdames' Griffin, Lyddiard and Pepperell respectively. ; This month’s roll-call, “How we can best entertain our visitors at the April meeting,” produced a number of good suggestions for the programme.

A couple of songs given by Mrs Brake were much appreciated by the members. The ballot resulted in the election of the fallowing officers for the ensuing year;—President, Mrs, Jack; vice-president, Mrs R. Fraser; secretary, Miss G. Griffin; treasurer, Miss P. Fraser; committee, Mesdames Alexander, Brake, F. Fraser, McCardje, Pearson and Soich.

Mrs R. Fraser, the retiring president, welcomed Mrs Jack to the chair and expressed the hope that the members would give to Mrs Jack the same loyal support that they had given to her. Mrs Jack thanked her supporters and hoped that she would merit their confidence in the future. Mrs Griffin, /on behalf of the members, paid ti'ibute to- the retiring officers. Afternoon tea was served by Mrs Soich and Misses Pepperell and Jack. A vote of thanks was passed to ,the judges and tellers of the afternoon, and the meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

Fairburn

The annual meeting of the Fairburn Institute was held in the hall on Wednesday afternoon. Mrs Luptc-n presided and welcomed visitors and several new members. The annual reports of the secretary and treasurer were read and adopted. The following officers were elected:—President, Mrs Lupton (re-elect-ed) ; secretary, Mrs Foster (re-elect-ed); treasurer, Miss B. Thomas (reelected) ; committee, Mesdames A. 'Christensen, G. May, W. Christensen, C. Wallace, S. Christensen, W. Hoskin and Miss D. May.

It was decided to hold a social and dance early in April, with the proceeds for Institute funds. The rollcall was “My oldest possession,” and brought to light some very old treasures several dating back more than a century.

The competitions for the month were for something made from one yard of cretonne, a pot of apple jelly, and, for the junior class, an apron, judged on the sewing, and one kind of sweet. A huge water melon donated by Mrs A. Wallace for weight guessing, brought in a good sum for Institute funds.

Mangapai

The February meeting of the Mangapai Institute was not held, on account of heavy rain, and then again the weather was the cause of a postponement of the annual meeting advertised for March 14. The meeting was eventually held on March 19. There was a fair attendance of members, the hostesses’ duties being carried out by Mrs G. Mackenzie and Miss G. Finlayson.

The balance-sheet showed a small credit balance. Mrs A. Thomson, the retiring secretary, read the report of the year’s activities which included some very instructive demonstrations by Whangarei friends and local members. As a prize was given at each meeting for competitions, a points prize for the whole year was not awarded. Mrs Hill proposed a vote of thanks to the officials for the, capable and untiring way in which they had carried out their duties during the year. This was carried by acclamation. A ballot was then taken—all names of members being considered for election.

The following were elected on the committee: Mesdames A. Hayward, B. Finlayson, A. Thomson, F. Price, C. Parnell, A. Wilde. Mrs Hayward was re-elected president, Mrs Price was elected vice-president, and Miss D. Carter was voted to the position of secretary. Mrs A. Thomson would not consider re-election as secretary. A balloon tossing competition was won by Mrs C. Parnell. The meetings in future are to be held on the second Tuesday in the month instead of Thursday. The roll-call for the meeting was “My most embarrassing moment.”

Portland

The Portland Institute held its annual meeting on March 7. Officers elected were: President, Mrs Naylor; vice-president, Mrs Anderson; secretary, Miss Brewis. Cre-elected). Much useful work, both benevolent and social, has been done during the past year, which has already been satisfactory from a financial standpoint.

The monthly competition for a mad'eira cake was won by Mrs Mills, with Mrs Anderson gaining second place. The motto for the day was “Willing workers work well,” and the roll-call, “Suggestions for improving the Institute.” Hostesses for the afternoon we;e Mesdames Williams and Belson.

Tauraroa

The Tauraroa Institute staged an evening’s entertainment last week. The Mangapai dance band provided the music. Songs by Mrs Gibson were very much appreciated, as were humorous numbers by Mr Rees. Mr Standring played the accompaniments and dance extras. Messrs R. McCullough and F. Quinn were M’s.C. Supper was handed around. During the evening Mrs F. Quinn was welcomed, Mrs Cowan presenting her with a gift on behalf of the wellwishers.

When Cleaning Tables. —Remember that over-taxed tables collect dust which gets rubbed in until the surface becomes dull. In such a case wash the table with a little water and a lot of soap, and in future, use only a very little polish and a great deal of rubbing! Waste Not! —When you’ve finished the tin of polish, no matter what sort of polish it is—silver, brass, or liquid blacklead —screw the top on tightly, lay the tin on its side on a piece of paper and cut the top portion off with a tin-opener. Now just you look inside the tin and see the enormous amount of perfectly good polish you usually throw away!