ASHLEY BANK

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume 7, Issue 7, 4 June 1937, Page 2

ASHLEY BANK

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE BIRTHDAY There was a record attendance at the third birthday party of the Ashley Women's Institute. The hall was tastefully decorated with red, white, and blue streamers, and music for dancing was supplied by Miss D. Brady and Mrs McKe.nzie (violin). A one-act play was presented by the local Women's Institute, those taking part being Misses Olive Lowe, Zita Beattie, Monica Wright, Irene Vette, Nora Downing, Eileen Bowbyes, and Mrs H. Hill. An exhibition of fancy dancing was given by Misses Nareen Barnard, Gwen Momo, Valarie Simpson (Kaiapoi), and Iris Pateman (Oxford), and was much appreciated. As a token of appreciation from the members Mrs W. Macann presented Miss Croft (president) with a posy and Misses E. Bowbyes (secretary) and Z. Beattie (treasurer) each with a shoulder spray. A buffet supper was served, a hand-somely-iced cake holding a conspicuous position. Before cutting the cake Miss Croft welcomed visitors' and thanked all who had in any way helped to make the party the success it undoubtedly was. She then presented the prizes won in competitions throughout the .year, congratulating the winners, who were: Most points—Mrs H. Pateman 1, Miss Z. Beattie 2. Best bloom (prize given by Mr C. H. Downing)— Mrs W. Macann 1, Mrs G. S. Smith 2. Most points in all sections (cup given by Miss Croft)—Mrs H. Pateman. Speakers from other districts were Mrs A. Ashworth (Sefton-Kowai), Mrs Simpson (Kaiapoi), Miss Bailey (Ohoka), Mrs I. F. Croft (Amberley W.D.F.U.). An apology was received from Mrs J. W. Macleod. The candles on the cake were lit by the oldest member, Mrs S. Fairbrother, and extinguished by the youngest, Miss Monica Wright. Miss Croft cut the cake. A supper extra' was played by Mr M. Fitzgibbon (Rolleston), and Mr D. McCrenor was M.C.

OHOKA WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Mrs W. Richards presided at the April meeting held in the Public Hall. There was a good attendance. A link from Harray, Orkney, Scotland, was read by Miss J. Fairman. Under the tuition of Mr Worthington the drama circle is working hard, and good results may be expected. Sympathy letters have been sent to Mesdames H. Martyn, Palmer, Smith, and Binnie in their illnesses. Mrs G. Ward demonstrated the making of wood fibre flowers and wool rugs, many pretty specimens being displayed. The best bloom competition was a pink pocket chrj'santhemum grown from cuttings distributed last year by Mrs J. Ward. In presenting the prize Mrs Ward expressed regret that there were not more blooms for exhibition. Competitions resulted: Best bloom — Mrs Palmer 1, Mrs Maynard 2, Mrs E. Sanders 3. Vase flowers—Miss E. Richards 1, Mrs Cottle 2, Mrs W. Martyn 3. Paper mosaic article —Miss Richards 1, Mrs Richards 2, Miss D. Duff 3. Mrs J. Ward was nominated for the office of group convenor. The possibility of a first aid class was discussed.

WOODEND CONCERT The anniversary of the Woodend Methodist Church was concluded on Tuesday* night, when an excellent concert was given in the Public Hall by Kaiapoi friends and the Woodend Drama Club in aid of church funds. There Avas a very large audience, and all items were well received. Al the conclusion, a hearty vote of thanks was proposed by the Rev. W. S. Neal to all performers, especially to Mrs Billcliff of Kaiapoi for arranging the musical items and to Mrs J. Little (Woodend) for staging the plays. The programme was as follows: Orchestral item (conductor Mr J. Johnston) ; solo, Mr Hirst; violin solo, Mrs H. Rinaldi; solo, Miss Rollinson; xylophone solo, Mr W. Lintott; play, "Idlers 'Onorable," Mrs J.. Quinn, Misses Eves and L. Crawford; orchestral item; solo, Mr J. H. Blackwell; duet, Misses Bennett and Rollinson; solo, Mrs Billcliff; pianoforte solo, Mrs J. H. Blackwell; solofi Miss Bennett; play, "Where Love Is, God Is," Mesdames A. Smith, H. Robertshaw, H. Hoskins, Misses E. Burnett, M. Ives, N. Chinnery, Master Colin Shepherd).