Women's Institutes

Northern Advocate, 6 August 1949, Page 8

Women's Institutes

Whangarei The monthly meeting of the Whangarei Women’s Institute was presided over by the president (Mrs H. Webbh There was a large attendance. The thought for the month was: “Do all the good you can, all the time you can, and wheq you can.” After the business of the meeting an “Australian Afternoon." arranged by Mesdames R. Matthews and L. Sirl, was given. A background of wattle, gumtips and koala bears was an appropriate setting. The “Golden Thread” was a famous Australian woman, given by Mrs R. Matthews who chose Dame Nellie Melba as her subject. The Institute’s singing circle, conducted by Mrs H. Stewart with Mrs Coward at the piano, sang a bracket of Australian songs, which were much appreciated. Mrs L. Sirl’s talk on the “Average Australian / Man-in-the-Street” was very well received, as were her sidelights of her recent visit to Sydney. Mrs Matthews gave her impressions of a visit to drought-stricken Victoria, in 1944. where the particular district she visited, had had no appreciable rain for six years. Mesdames Matthews and Sirl were thanked by the president and members for a very interesting afternoon. Winners of the best bloom were: Mrs

Coward 1. Mesdames Bellingham and Thomson, 2 equal. Best shrub: Mrs Bellingham l, Mrs A. Thomsen 2. Arts and crafts: Mrs Sirl 1. Mrs Jordan 2. Best smock’cd article: Mrs H. Stewart 1. Winner of sponge cake: Mrs Hawthorn. The trading table was well patronised. «. Midland Group The president (Mrs Chaplin) presided over a good attendance at the quarterly meeting of the Midland Group which was held in the Maungatapere Hall. Tine four institutes, Maunu, Poroti. Titoki and Maungatapere, were all represented. At the conclusion of business all gathered at lunch after which the afternoon programme began with a monologue by Mrs Hilford (Titoki). Maungatapere Institute’s mime “Opening a Church Bazaar,” caused a lot of fun. 1 Songs were provided by Mrs Brewer (Poroti) and Mrs Hilford. A musical quiz was won by Mrs J. Cutforth. Other competitions, Length of string, Mrs Calvert. Buttons in bottle, Mrs H. Hawken. Vase of flowers, Mrs Young. Plain scones, Mrs H .Croucher. Afternoon tea- was served. Maungatapere members were hostesses for the day.