MOTUPIKO

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 December 1936, Page 3

MOTUPIKO

W.D.F.U. GOOD WORK FOR CHILDREN The Motupiko branch of the W.D.F.U. held a most enjoyable Garden Party at Mrs North’s home “Boscobel.” In spite of a period of unsettled Weather there was a sunny afternoori and members and friends turned out well.

A workbox made and given by Mrs R. J. Lawrence was won by Mrs J. Quinney; a vase was won by Miss I. Rowe; another vase was won by Mrs

J. Quinney also, but was given back for re-raffle. A “Bring arid Buy” stall did good business, and leather goods made by Returned Soldiers were on sale.

There was also a “smelly-bag” competition, competitors having to guess the contents of various little bags by smell only. A kindergarten afternoori was given by Mrs A. Randall at her home

“Highfield” and judging by the obvious enjoyments, not only of the tiny folk, but .of grownups as. well, the efforts of Mrs Randall and of all who had so willingly and generously he’ned her, were well rewarded.

First of all there were siriging games and nursery rhymes out on the lawn, accompanied by Mrs Gubb (violin) and Miss E. North (piano). Then all went inside to see the different occupations which, were each briefly described by Mrs Randall—-stick-laying, tracing, cutting and pasting, stencil outlining, tracing round cardboard shapes, colour matching and grading, raflflia and wool stitching round perforated cards, perforating, rag dolls and their dressing, etc. Members had gone to much trouble and labour making lovely little rag dolls and clothes, also preparing material for the handwork occupations. Then different members took charge of various occupations and the children were free to roam from one' to another and try their hands—there was handwork, a lovely little doll’s house and tea sets, swing, sand heap, etc. At the sound of the gong everyone washed hands ready for afternoon tea. One enterprising young lady had made biscuits specially to please the kiddies, with the icing marked out in features to make comical little faces. Another singing game, this time with dolls, and then goodbyes. On leaving each W.D. kindergarten kiddie received a supply of occupation material, a big cardboard box containing a scrap book, a “scribble book,” crayons, pencil, old catalogue for cutting up and pasting, kindergarten scissors; jar of paste arid brush, Cardboard shapes for tracing round and board for pasting the cut-outs on; also a rag doll with clothes that really come off and on. Everyone who iri any way helped deserves the Division’s best thanks. A Nelson drapery firm gave a quantity of patches for rhaking into dolls’ clothes; or for colour work, and a Nelson Printing firm gave useful ends of paper for making into books or for tracing; while others both in and out of the W.D. donated cash, materials, etc.;* so-that actual expenses of the afternoon were very low. It is proposed to hold similar afternoons at intervals, and thereby replenish the little one’s boxes with more materials and give mother’s ideas of how to use the sariie. Motupiko childreri are just as a.pt to let their energy, if not otherwise occupied, run to mischief as are town children, and they have not so far had the advantage of town kindergartens.

A large proportion of members spent a most enjoyable afternoon at Korere on tiie occasion of that brarich’s fifth birthday. The December meeting was held at the end of November and time, was taken up • with discussing plans for a Fancy Dress Party to be held in conjunction with the School Break Up.