MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 11 August 1934, Page 3

MOTUEKA

WOMEN’S DIVISION FARMERS’ UNION THIRD BIRTHDAY (From Our Own Correspondent) Members of the Motucka branch, of the Women’s Division foregathered at the Institute Hall on Tuesday evening to celebrate tli© third birthday of thenbranch. A very large crowd, numbering about 300 attended th© party, there being present, in addition to friends of members, representatives from Mapua, Richmond, Doycdale, Stanley Brook, Pangatotara, Riwaka, Waimea, tJmukuri and the Motuekalliwaka Farmers’ Union. . 4polo"ies for absence were received from Mr K. J. Holyoaka M.P. (president, Riwaka Farmers’ Union), ana from Mrs Tweedy (president, Women’s Institute), both of whom sent! best wishes for a successful birthday Proceedings commenced with the singing of the Hew Zealand anthem, after which followed an enjoyable dance programme interspersed with musical and vocal items. Messrs Burk Green and J. Boyce contributed solos’ Mrs G. Manifold and Mr U. Dutton duets, Messrs Gideona, Atua and McNabb guitar selections, and Miss Brimstone recitations. Miss B. Eoyes played tli e accompaniments. Mrs E. Inwood (secretary of the branch) acted as M.C. for the evening end the music for the dancing was provided by Lennal’s orchestra (live instruments), extras being played by Messrs J. Robert soil, Williams and Mcsdames Lamming and 0. Helling. The lucky spot waltz was won by Miss Boyce and Mr S. Gideona. An outstanding feature of the programme was the staging of a beautiful tableau, representing the Division’s badge, in which the following members of the junior branch took part:— Misses H., J., P. and G. Douglas, Me Glashcn, Burnard, Inwood and Satlierley. Mrs A. D. Taylor (president) who was responsible for the arranging of the tableau explained in detail what each letter and symbol on the badge stood for. After the dispensing of a delicious supper the handsome threetiered birthday cake, was brought on to the stage. The cake, which was made by Mrs B. V. Wilson and iced and decorated by Mr and Mrs G. M. Smith, Hau, was very much admired. On the top tier was a coloured replica of the badge, and the branh olours—gold and green, with touhes of red, were introdued into the decorative scheme. Mrs Taylor (president) after lighting the three candles, extended a very hearty welcome to all visitors, and called upon the vice-presidents Mesdames Trcwavas and Drummond to blow out the candles. When asking Mrs 0. Ivelling, the oldest member of the branch to cut the cake, the president remarked that the wonderful spirit of the pioneer women was still to be found in the ranks of the Women’s Division. Mrs Inwood presented beautiful bouquets of violets and daphne to Mrs Taylor and to Mrs A. Forsyth (provincial president). The Mayor (Mr R. J. L. York), after congratulating the Women’s Division on the bathering in the hall that evening and on the work, which was being done in Motueka and in other districts, remarked that the institution was indeed a live one. The women of to-day, he said, had great organising ability. Three societies—the Women’s Division, the Women’s Institute and the Plunket Society were all governed by women and were all in good financial positions. He congratulated the branch on its president (Mrs Taylor), stating that he had been on the deputation, that waited on the Minister regarding tobacco duties. Mrs Taylor bad I represented the Women’s Division and had put up a wonderful fight, on behalf of the women. She had concluded her speech with these words. “Do not sacrifice the women and children of the Nelson Province for the sake of revenue.” That was the key note and the members of the House had been struck with her words. In conclusion the Mayor wished the Branch every success and many happy returns of, the day. | Mrs Forsyth (Provincial President) ! said that it gave her great pleasure to j be present at the third birthday party | of the Motueka branch, and on behalf of the Nelson Executive and the Mapua j Tasman branch, congratulated Mot- j ueka on its activities and wished the members every success. It was said that “tilings get done when Mrs Tay- j lor is at the head of affairs.” | Continuing Mrs Forsyth averred that Mrs Taylor wished her to make a few remarks about the Women's Division Conference, held in Wellington recently. The Division had decided to accept Mr Poison’s generous offer. of incorporating flicir magazine “The “Countryman” with the Farmers’ Union paper “Point Blank.” This ppper was to be enlarged and the Division were to have 24 pages to be edited by Mrs Barrel-. It was not, said Mrs Forsyth, with a sense of failure that the Division decided to do this, as the paper has been a great success; but with a desire to be more closely linked up with the Farmers’ Union, which they hoped would be to their mutual benefit. “Point Blank” has a circulation of 20,000 and went into the homes of 12,000 financial members. It was decided to send Mrs Barrel M.A., a speaker and writer of no little merit, to represent the Division at tile Pan Pacific Conference at Honolulu this year. The Pan Pacific Women’s Association was recognised, by the League of Nations and aimed at world peace by the linking up of the various peoples of the Pacific. It seemed vital to send Mrs Barrel-, who . would not only be capable of representing New Zealand country-women, but be broadminded enough to understand the other womens’ problems. ! The notice of motion rescinding the : motion, passed at last Conference, that only one delegate from each branch attend the Conference was carried, so that two delegates now can attend. j Mrs Forsyth said she would like to j see Nelson more fully represented at the next annual conference. In regard 1 to the Community Chest, as this fund i was almost depleted there having been j heavy calls on it, during the past year. .1250 was transferred from general I fund and £SOO of the reserve fund of £IOOO placed in the Savings Bank, so that it could bo drawn on if ncces-1 sary. Mrs Forsyth said that it was i hoped this would not be necessary as ! they were appealing to branches for further help. Mrs C. Jackson, in view of her outstanding services to the Division over a number of years, was made a life member. Mrs Ward was returned unopposed

as Dominion President. lii concluding her remarks Mrs Forsyth made reference to the various t.onial functions delegates had attended, and drew members’ attention to the fact that the Nelson Provincial Executive would be holding a garden party at Stoke, particulars of which would he advertised later. Mrs,Forsyth expressed the hope that the Motucka branch would continue to prosper and he a power in the district. ’Mcsdames Thomas (Richmond), W. Eatweli (Stanley Brook), A. Silcock (Dovedale), F.' Knowles (Pangatotara), W. A. A. Ryder (Riwaka), Johnston (Waimea), L. Fry (Umukuri), and Mr O. C. Wilkinson (Riwalca Farmers’ Union) extended greetings and best wishes for the future, on behalf of tlu-ir respective branches. Ml- Wilkinson spoke of the- great good work the Women of the Division were doing in the backblocks and of the happiness they were bringing into t!n> homes, where conditions were poor. Mrs Taylor thanked all speakers for their kind remarks. She also extended thanks to those, who had helped in any way towards the success of the evening, the musicians and those who had contributed items. A fine display of work, done by members for competitions, was on view on the stage and the following prizes won in the knitting competition were awarded: Airs H. Hodgson 1, Mrs G. Sinclair 2: juniors: Miss P. Douglas 1, Miss H. Douglas 2; best cushion (not knitters), Mrs A. Douglas 1, Mrs A. D. Taylor 2. Secretarial duties, in connection with the party were capably carried out by Mrs E. Imvood.

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

RATES REDUCED .A l the fortuiglit.lv mooting of tlio Motuoka Borough Council, held on Tuesday evening there were present his Worship the Mayor, Mr R. J. L. York and Councillors 11. Trowavas, S. Fry, A. E. Fry, E. S. Wratt, D. Park, and W. Eginton. CORRESPONDENCE Malcolm Fraser, Department of Internal Affairs, writing relative to the. proposed abolition of the Motueka River District, advised that, in view of tho fact that objections had been lodged to the proposal, it was proposed to set up a Commission fo consider the matter. The costs of such commission would require to he borne by tbe parties to the inquiry, in such proportion as tbe commission ordered. Letter received. The Public Trustee, writing in regard to correspondence, which bad passed between the Borough Council and tho Public Trust Office last month, in connection with tlio sum of £7500 payable. to tlio Council on the sale of its electricity assets, the Public Trustee enquired as to tho present position of the matter. Councillor Wratt was of the opinion that the sooner the £5500 was lor lged with the Public Trustee for the electric light sinking fund, the better it would be for tlie public. The Mavor stated that under cxistin conditions, there was a possibility that the whole amount would have to

be paid to the Public Trustee. Conn-cilloi-Wratt thought the best course to adopt was to advise the Public Trustee that it was the intention of the Conn* cil to pay in £5500 to the Electric Light Sinking fund, and to utilise .£2OOO on road improvements. The Mayor was asked when the Waimea Electric Power Board was likely to pay over the £7500, for, in the meantime, they were getting the use of the money, and the Council was losing interest.

The Mayor intimated that the matter would probably be finalised at the next meeting of the Power Board. The Town Clerk was requested to notify the Public Trustee as to the present position of the £7500 payable to the Council by the Power Board for the Borough electricity undertaking.

. NEW RATES At 8 o’clock the Council held a special meeting in connection with rates for year 1934-1935. It was proposed that the Motueka Borough Council make and levy, under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, the Rating Ret 1925 the following rates:—A general rate of one penny and an eighth (1 l-8d) in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property in the Borough; a hospital rate under section 52 of the Hospital and Charitablo Institutions Act 1926 of five-sixteenths pence (5-16 d) in the ’£ ; a special electric light rate of three-eighths pence (3-8 cl) in the £; an annual sanitation fee of 25s per pan on all rateable property. It was proposed that all such rates shall be payable in one instalment on. the 15th day of September 1934, and further that a discount of 5 per cent, shall be allowed on all rates for year 1934-35 if paid on or before the 14th October 1934.

The Mayor pointed out that the new general rate would produce £9OO less than that struck in 1931 or, in other words, a total reduction of £1173 on all rates as compared with those of 1931, when the present council came into office.

It was agreed that a special meeting lie held on 27th August to confirm the proposed rates. On resuming in ordinary meeting tho cleric stated that it would bp impossible for him to prepare the rate demands without assistance by tho 15th September. It was decided that additional assistance fro the office to the value of .C 5 bo authorised and that, the matter of obtaining an assistant be left to the Mayor and Councillor A.' E l . Fry. COMMUNITY SING On Tuesday evening Messrs Ih A. Hamilton and G. Burke with the assistance of an accomplished and lively orchestra, ■ conducted a further community sing, the proceeds from which

were to augment the funds of the local District High- School Committee. During the' evening several items were rendered by’the children from .the Riwaka School. 1 These included • the crowning ceremony, the’ finale to-'tho'recently conducted and 1 highly successful-.qUeen Carnival iii. Riwaka’ There- was only a moderate, attendance of,-'the public, presumably oil account, of various counterattractions and prevailing sickness. However, an enmvable evening was spent during which Mr Hamilton thanked patrons for their support, die hoped that these gatherings would be continued and enjoyed by all. Apart from any endeavour on tlieir part, said _Mr Hamilton, to rais e funds for various organisations, he and his colleagues had attempted to bring the people out of themselves and lie thought from the support accorded these gatherings, bis committee bad been wondrously successful. The singing of the National Anthem brought a pleasant function to a close,