MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 2 July 1936, Page 9

MOTUEKA

' WOMEN’S DIVISION HALL

. s OFFICIAL OPENING

(From Our Own Correspondent)

Members of the Motueka Women’s Division, have been working hard for some time with the aim in view of obtaining a club room of their own Saturday evening saw the crowning of' their efforts, when Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P., officially opened the new Women's Division hall.

In spite of stormy wet weather a large number of members, friends and representatives of kindred organisations attended the function, which took the form of a banquet. A very happy evening was spent, the toasts being enthusiastically honoured and the programme of songs and recitations, arranged by Mrs Snow, thoroughly enjoyed. /The Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs R. J. L. York), Mrs Forsyth (Provincial President of the W.D.), Mrs Tweedy (President of the Motueka W,1.), Mrs G. Atkins (vice-president Of the W. 1.), and Mr R. Primmer (Fire Brigade), were among the guests. : The hall presented a gay and festive - appearance with green and goldstreamers and lycopodium radiating from a circular centre piece to the walls, and tables artistically decorated with vases of foliage and berries. Erected by Mr H. Delany on Council property, with dimensions 40 feet by 20 feet,, this spacious clqb room will, in future, be the centre for, the local Division’s activities. Mrs A.. D. Taylor, who presided, welcomed the guests and then called upon Mr K, J. Ilolyoakc, M.P., to perform the opening ceremony. Mr Holyoake said he appreciated the honour bestowed on him and was proud to be president of the Farmers’ Union, when he saw the splendid w.ork that was being done by the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. The members of the local branch had accomplished many things, the three outstanding being the establishment of the Musical Competitions, the Agricultural and Pastoral Show, and the erection of a hall in which he hoped

they would enjoy many happy meetings and plan new undertakings for the future. He congratulated members on this their third great achievement and wished the Division every success. The ceremony was performed by the pulling of a golden ribbon attached to the door, and the hall was declared officially opened. After the singing of the New Zealand anthem the following toasts were honoured: — “The King", Mrs A. D. Taylor. “Dominion Executive W.D.”.—Mr Holyoake, in proposing this toast, referred to the commencement of the W.D. movement about eleven years ago, and to the rapid growth of the organisation which had given wonderful service throughout New Zealand. The membership was now approximately 20,000, demonstrating how much'such an organisation had been needed and how great was the extent of its operations. Mrs Forsyth (Provincial President) replying, expressed pleasure at being present. The opening of the hall was, she said, the culmination of the hopes of the members over months of strenuous effort. In connection with the activities undertaken by the Division, the Provincial President touched on the housekeeper scheme, the Rest Room, sewing woman and group schemes. In concluding, Mrs Forsyth congratulated the Motueka branch on the erection of a new club room, re- ( marking' that it had been a big un- ‘ dertaking to finance, but with a president, full of enthusiasm and eneigy, it had been possible. She was proud to be associated with Mrs Tayffir. The toast “Motueka Branch W.D.” was in the hands of the Mayor, who spoke of the rapid growth of the branch and of its many successful undertakings. The musical and elocutionary competitions were of great educational benefit especially to the children. Many attempts had been made to form an A. and P. Association in the district, but opposition had been met with. The Women’s Division had, however, taken up the project with enthusiasm and succeeded in establishing an A. and P. show; and "now they had erected a hall, in which he hoped, the members would enjoy many evenings. The hall was a credit to the Division and he wished Mrs Taylor and the Motueka branch every success. In returning thanks, Mrs Taylor said the members had worked hard and were pleased with what had been achieved. She could not have done what she had without the co-opera-tion of the members and the assistance from Mr Taylor. Mr B. Warren, in proposing the toast “Motueka Borough Council,” said that the thanks of the Division were due to the Mayor and Councillors in connection with the erection of the hall. If the Division had been faced with the purchase of the land upon which to build, at least another twelve months of hard work would have been required to raise the necessary money. The Mayor said the Council was prepared at all times to help any worthy cause as far as finance would permit. Mr Reg. Rowling, who proposed the

health of “Kindred Societies”, spoke of the good work being done by the Motueka Women’s Institute, the Farmers’ Union and the Fire Brigade. Mrs Tweedy replied on behalf of the Women’s Institute, Mr Holyoake on behalf of the Farmers’ Union, and Mr Primmer for the Fire Brigade. The toast “Absent Members” was proposed by Mr G. W. Boundy. PRESENTATIONS Mrs Taylor, in presenting Mrs L. Inwood (secretary) with a gift, on bej half of members of the executive, said I that the secretary had been the backbone of the local organisation and i they wished to show appreciation of her services. I Mrs G. E. Smith was also the rocijpient of a gift from executive members. Mesdames Inwood and Smith i returned thanks for the gifts, j Mrs Taylor was presented with a handsome vase—a gift from the executive. Mrs Drummond, who made the presentation, said that Mrs Taylor had inspired the members, qnd they hoped she would continue ' as president for many years. In returning thanks Mrs Taylor said that she had not expected any reward in the form of gifts for the work she had done. Her reward would be in seeing all members brought together and enjoying social afternoons and evenings. , , Solos were contributed, between ‘toasts, by the following: Mrs G. Manifold, Mrs J. Boyce, Mrs Snow, Mrs C. Grooby, Mr J. Boyce, Division Choir (Mr A. Quayle conductor). Humorous recitations were contributed by Mrs A. D. Taylor and by Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P., and humorous stories by Messrs Reg Rowling, T. Kelling, J. Boyce, and Mesdames Tweedy and Atkins. .. Mrs J. Boyce led the community singing and Miss E. Trewavas played the accompaniments for the soloists.