MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 August 1933, Page 10

MOTUEKA

WOMEN'S DIVISION FARMERS’ UNION BIRTHDAY PARTY (From Our Own Correspondent) The Motueka branch of the Womens Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union held their second birthday party in the Institute Hall, which was decorated with evergreens and streamers ol red, white, blue and green—the colours contained in the Division badge. The hall was thronged with people, about 300 attending the party. Representatives from the Takaka. Mapua-Tasman, Dovedale, Richmond, Moutere, Riwaka and Pangatotara branches were among the number. AN ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME An enjoyable programme of dancing, games and community singing was successfully carried through, while for those who wished to play cards the stage was specially arranged. Messrs L. Allred and ,T. Robertson supplied spirited music for the dancing and Major D. W. Talbot made a capable M.C. At intervals in the dance programme Mrs J. Boyce and Miss Inwood contributed songs, and: Miss Barnard pianoforte solos, all items?.' being .thoroughly - appreciated. Miss' Mitchell-Brown played the accompaniments for the singing. Members of the Motueka branch provided a bountiful supper, and a very' capable committee with'their president, Mrs A. D. Taylor, and secretary, Mrs L. Inwood, had in hand the supper arrangements and the general organising of the function.

A large three-tiered birthday cake, made by Mrs J. Satlierlcy, was later in the evening cut by Mrs A. Forsyth, Provincial President, and vice-presidents of the Motueka branch. The clothes line competition was won by Mr and 'Mi's' J. Robertson.

PRESIDENT ADDRESSES GATHERING Mrs A. Forsyth, President of the Pro-' yincial Executive and of the MapuaTasman branch, wished the. Motueka branch “many happy returns” and congratulated members on the success of their second birthday party and on the many activities and advancement of their branch. She thanked the Motueka branch for helping materially to make it possible for her to attend the Conference at Wellington. It bad been a. real education. She had met many, clever women and fluent speakers, and she could not but admire the beautiful spirit that prevailed. among women wearing the Division badge. Unqualified support was given to the Farmers’ Union in tlicir effort for -tariff revision' by the Women's Division after hearing an address by Mr W. J. Poison, M.P., President of the Farmers’ Union. The Women's Division would bo of great benefit to the men in the near future. They were now engaged in a struggle of a serious nature and would require the full understanding and sympathy of women to win out. , TO HELP WOMEN, AND CHILDREN

Mrs Forsyth explained that the' main object of the Women’s Division, was: to help women and children, .and, to this end she said a housekeeper'scheme, had been inaugurated. It was nofrVharity, as some people thought, but similar to insurance. The branches paid into a community chest, from which they Could, draw when help was needed. In Nelson Mrs'Lucas, their housekeeper, was wait- 1 ing for employment. They had had glowing reports of her capabilities;"-This year had been one of activities. .Housekeepers had been sent to women jn. iilllieath or needing a holiday, and nurses; and sewing women had been sent where required. Blankets and clothing had been distributed by the branches. There were now 356 branches and a membership of 12,310. Mrs Forsyth said that so vast had the movement become, that it had been found necessary to form provincial executives, which were of great help in .ex-': changing ideas. Delegates came from.’ all branches to attend the meetings. The Women’s Division had become-one Pf the greatest social institutions in the, country. , i .- WOMEN CONGRATULATED Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P. (Provincial President, Farmers r Union) said lie-had expected to attend a small gathering, but the Women’s Division had surpassed themselves on this He congratulated them hearily on their efforts. On a- similar occasion last year lie had congratulated them on the tfay their membership had grown. ’ljliis' was only their second birthday party, and he must congratulate them on the wonderful work done and the still greater increase of membership. Mr Holyoake spoke of the Junior Division formed in Motueka, which would have good results in the district, and of the Wellington Conference. He had formed a very, high opinion of thedelegates, and the remits passed on to, the Conference proved that they , had,', been drawn up by a, very capable body of women. From bis visits to the-vari-ous branches in the Nelson province he was able to judge the value of their, work. The Women’s Division was filling, a long-felt want throughout the province. One, of their objects was to* strengthen the Farmers’'Union, and he had been impressed with the extent io which they hacl been able to do this. They had encouraged the ljVen to attend, meeting and it was building, up a spirit of comradeship and .unity, especially in smaller centres. The circle on the badge, Mr Holyoake. said, stood for unbroken love and service without end.. Service without end was very necessary to-day. There was a spirit of antagonism growing up and strained relations existed between nations. It was only by the promptings of self-sacrifice, service and brotherhood that we were going to have peace throughout the world. In conclusion, Mr Holyoake oil behalf of the whole province and more especially the Riwaka-Motueka Men’s Division 1 congratulated the Women’s Division on;; their success and the progress they had j made. j

REMARKS BY MAYOR The Mayor (Mr R. York) called to memory the first meeting of the Division in Motueka, when Mrs Jackson had presided over a very small gathering. Ho thought that if Mrs Jackson could be present now to see the large attendance her heart, would be gladdened. This Division, lie said, was picking. marked progress. With the high ideals and enthusiasm behind it, it must achieve success. He hoped that, when the third birthday party was being celebrated the hall would not be large enough to hold them all. The organisation was winning its way into the hearts of the people, he cause its aim was service, and it was reaching the homes of .those in the back blocks. It was his sincere desire that the organisation would flourish. The Mayor, on behalf of the Women’s Division, then presented the prizes for. knitting as follows:—Mrs Hodgson, first prize ; Mrs Claude Inwood, second prize. After the cutting of the cake. Mr Jordan returned thanks on behalf of the Dovcdale branch for invitation to the

party, and wished Motueka branch success!' ; " ■ Y-’. Y ' -• -y, ■ -, 1 “<■> Mr 0- C. Wilkinson spoke on-behalf of the- 'Riwaka-Motueka Farmers’Y Union and' invited those present to hear Mr Holyoake, M.P., speak on the organisation and what it stands for. ~ ,4 Mr Holyoake said There were several visitors . present from Takaka. He considered that it spoke (volumes when eight women would charter a special car to come all the way to Motueka to their birthday party- The branch in Takaka had been established just three years ago, and in that short time they had raised £265 towards erecting a women’s rest room. He desired to'thank on behalf of Mrs Newlove (president) and the Takaka ladies the Motueka branch for the invitation and the enjoyable evening.

MOTUEKA MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB

The first shoot for Mr A. Canton’s tropin was fired on Tuesday—a series of 5 shoots, the best- 3 to count. Scores were as follows: —A. L. Kelly 70, E. Askew 70, T. Kelling 69, G. A. Crossman 69, W. Tillson 69, B. Crayfoi'd 68, S. Mather-68, Geo. Fry 68, H. Jones 68, It. Livesey 66, P. Calder 66, D. Skilton 66. Geo. Sturgeon 66, It. Wilkes 64, T. G. Rose 63, E. A. Goodman 62, It. Delaney 62, Fred Drummond 62,’ 11. Stewart. 62, T. Dredge 61. C. Morrison 60,- G, Manifold 60. Roy ltry 58, H. fioyes 58, If. Dredge 58, L. Green 57, K. Calder, 56, A. Atkins 54.