WAKAPUAKA BRANCH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 4 May 1938, Page 4

WAKAPUAKA BRANCH

ANNUAL MEETING HELD At the annual meeting of the Wakapuaka branch of the W.D.F.U., Mrs J. Corder, the president .submitted the following report of the branch's activities for the year 1937-38: “For the third time it is my pleasure and duty to present to you a report of the activities of this branch of the

W.D.F.U. during the past twelve months.

"Last year we thought of the unsettled state of the world and the danger of international strife, and during this past year we have seen terrible acts of aggression and subjection imposed upon weaker peoples: and our own Empire has had to undertake a collosal scheme of armaments in order to be prepared against, aggression by other nations. It is still our duty as countrywomen to foster a spirit of understanding and friendship with women of other lands, thus adding our weight on the side of peace and godwill. We believe that wars and international friction are largely engineered by armament firms and the great money-makers of the world, but right is always in the end stronger than might, and by our own characters of

i i truth and love and faith in God. we can I if we will, overcome the world of - greed, lawlessness and selfishness. 1 Meetings: During the year ten meetings were held, three of w'hich were r open meetings, when a number of nons members attended. The May meeting - .Was■•'herd at Hira, and on the invita- . tion of the members from that end it has been decided to hold the May . meeting there in future. In September . a small bulb show- was held when some s good blooms were exhibited by the s members. Mrs H. Gill kindly acted as , judge. Sister Stringer of the Junior ~ Cross visited us in March and . gave a very interesting and informa- !’■ tive address on the efforts being made , among children to promote health, ser- . vice and international friendship. We , wish her every success in the growth of her good work. At the February s gathering the president explained - many of the rules of our organisation. “Membership: Our membership now totals 53. being 49 senior, and 4 junior members. "Bring- and Buy: Our efforts in this direction each meeting has continued, but we would like to see many more members taking a share in it. “Competitions:' There have been held at various times and in various ways throughout the year, j “Reading Circle: The Reading Circle I functioned during last winter under the capable management of Miss Dodson. t “Church Parade: In November a good » number of our members attended a Church Parade in St. Andrews. It was very gratifying to see a large increase in the number present this year, and we hope that the next one will show a Church full of Women’s Division worshippers. If we are to be the uplift and help that we should be in the district, we must give the worship of God a large place in our organisation. Social: Our Birthday Party was held in the hall in July and was a very happy and successful function. A goodley number of members, Farmers’ Union members and other residents were present. We are indebted to all who worked so willingly to bring about a very happy evening. “Children’s Fancy Dress Party: This was held in the September holidays and was a great success. About 150 children were entertained and the costumes of the little ones reflected great credit on their parents. We were very grateful to Miss Aydon for her help and co-operation in providing a very interesting and pretty dance programme for our pleasure and also for undertaking the judging of the costumes. “In the winter Mr Eric Jackson kindly brought a party of artists from Nelson who gave a very happy entertainment for the benefit of our branch funds. We are very grateful to these friends for their valuable help. “In February on the request of the local schools committee we helped with the children’s picnic by providing drinks and dispensing ice-cream. “The basket-ware from the Blind Institute has been on sale during the year. Mrs Paterson jun. has been in charge of this. “Towards the end of the year at the request of the Returned Soldiers’ Association we undertook the sale of their goods, and were able to forward £2 5s 3d. "During the year we said good-bye to Mrs R. C. Withers. We combined with the Farmer’s Union and other residents in organising a social evening to bid her and her husband farewell. “Girls’ Educational Week: This was held in August and was a most useful and happy course, a good number of country girls attended and all were treated w'ith the utmost kindness by the city people. Miss Jessie Tunnicliff was nominated by this branch and testified to the great pleasure and benefit derived from the week. "Provincial Council: Your delegates attended each of the meetings of the Provincial Council which included one at Motueka in February. A remit from this branch was carried at the December meeting to the effect that a one penny per annum per member levy be adopted for the Housekeeper Mutual Benefit Fund. The Women’s Division calendars, drawn up and sold for the benefit of Council funds have been bought freely in this branch and are much appreciated. We would like to extend our congratulations to the I Council and especially to the secretary, Mrs Hodge, on carrying out this beautiful and profitable idea. In November the province had the honour of a visit from Mrs Drake, Dominion president. A good number of our members attended the function held in Nelson to welcome hei. "Conference: 4 Your president attended as your delegate the annual conference of the W.D.FU. held in Wellington in July last A full report of the doings there was made to this branch at a subsequent meeting. “The Division Housekeepers have filled several engagements in this district. It has been very gratifying to be able to help cases of need and we can all see the importance of keeping up our branch funds and also of doing our share to re-imburse the Community Chest If the money is taken out of that fund it must be put in again. This is the job of the Women's Division. All our life and work as Women’s Division members centres round the Housekeeper scheme and Community Chest, and it is much more our duly to give to this fund than to the many demands that are constantly being made upon our organisation, worthy though they may be Our efforts this past year to the support of our Community Chest again took the form of a garden party and was held on 26th March. The proceeds amounted to £8 6s. Thanks: We wish to record our gratitude to those who have specially helped during the year—To Mrs O'Bicrne for the use of her excellent room for meetings, for icing so beautifully our birthday cake, and for superintending the Bring and BUy Stall; To Mrs East ior superintending the competitions; to Miss Dodson for leading the Reading Circle; to Miss East as reporter to the “Evening Mail”; to Mrs Whitwoll for

the use of her room; to Mrs Waterhouse and others for prizes for the competitions: to Mrs Paterson jun. for carrying on the sale of goods rfrom the Blind Institute; to Mrs A. G. Frost for her services as secretary; to Miss N. Dodson as treasurer, to the advisory members and to Mrs V. Thompson as Housekeeper Secretary; also to the members of the branch committee for their loyal support. I trust that my successor will Lave the same consideration and help from the committee which has been my experience with the commiltee of the past year. “Mrs Corder was re-elected as president. Other officers elected were: Vicepresidents. Mesdames O'Biernc and funnicliffc; secretary. Mrs V. Thompson: provincial council delegates, president. secretary and Mrs Brown: advisory members. Mesdames Brown and A. G. Frost: committee, officers cx officio. Mesdames Anderson. G. P. Dixon and C Dodson: housekeeper secretary, Mrs A. G. Frost.

DOVEDALE JUNIOR BRANCH The annual meeting of the Dovedale junior branch of the W.D.F.U. , opened v/ith tne singing of the National Tnthem followed by the reciting of the! creed. The balance sheet was read and adopted. The election of officers resulted: President. Miss Marjorie Burnett (reelected); vice-presidents. Misses Mona Win (re-elected) and Hilda Burnett; secretary. Miss Tressa Fowler (re- j elected): reporter. Miss Joy Win; com- ! mittee. Misses Connie Win. Peggy Win and Shirley Brislane; auditor. Mr J , Fowler.

j The president in her report remarkjed on the successful and happy year I which had just erded. There was now a membership of 28. All meetings had been well attended and keen interest taken in the monthly competitions. Members attended the educational week in Nelson which was very interesting and enjoyed by all. Several instructive demonstrations were given during the year. In conclusion, the president thanked the senior branch of ,he Women's Division and the Farmers’ Union for their help; also the Dovcdale Methodist trustees for the use of their building for the meetings. The roll call, “Where I would like to go for a holiday, how and why,” was well responded to. The competition, a jar of blackberry jelly, was won by Miss Lene Biggs. Miss Tressa Fowler coming second. The flower competition was won by Miss Marjorie Jordan with Miss Connie Win and Lene Biggs second. A competition arranged by Miss Hilda Burnett was won by Miss Edna Fowler. Afternoon tea brought the meeting to a close.

DOVEDALE BRANCH The annual meeting of the Dovedale W.D.F.U. held in the Bible Class Hall was well attended. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs L. Hall; vice-presidents, Mrs P. Jordan and Mrs J. Davies; advisory committee, Mrs L. Hall and Mrs A.- Silcock; general committee. Mrs S. Win, Mrs ' W. Smith and Mrs C. Burnett; pro- | gramme committee. Mrs A. Win. Mrs j D. Thompson, Mrs P. Jordan and Mrs C. Burnett: auditor, Mr J. Fowler; rc- ' porter. Mis C. Burnett, a hearty vote j of thanks was accorded the retiring president and secretary. Mrs P. Jordan , and Mrs S. Win. Correspondence was ; -ead from Mrs Ward concerning the forming of dressmaking classes and it decided to endeavour to form a •lass. It was arranged to hold the •uchre parties as usual throughout the »'«nter. During the evening the points prizes j f or the year were presented. Mrs C. Burnett being first and Mrs A. Win second. In the flower competition, Mrs C. Jordan gained the most points and Mrs A. Win came second. After the meeting a. very enjoyable supper was handed round.

ANNUAL MEETING OF ROCKVILLE BRANCH The annual meeting of the Rockville branch of the W.D.F.U. was held recently in the Aorere Central Hall. There was a good attendance of members. Mrs P. G. Fish was in the chair. The president’s report was read and adopted. The secretary’s report and balance sheet, which showed a satisfactory position, was adopted as read. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President. Mrs L. R. S/iulton; vice-presidents, Mesdames Fish and Salvigney; secretary. Mrs McDonald; committee. Mesdames C. L. Grant, S. Grant, Brewer, Lcggatt, Thomasen ' and Miss Field; special committee j Mesdames C. L Grant, Lcggatt. Sal- I vigney; advisory member. Mrs C. L Grant; delegates to executive, president and secretary and Mrs Brewer; aud- | itor. Mr P. G. Fish. Afternoon tea was served and the meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem.