Notes for Women

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21772, 11 October 1932, Page 13

Notes for Women

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Items of social interest and topics relating to the home aye invited. Communications must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer. Notices of engagements must be signed by one at least of the principals, or by some responsible person, as a guarantee of genuineness.

PERSONAL AND SOGAL

WOMEN’S r DIVISION N.Z. FARMERS' UNION BRANCH ‘ ACTIVITIES

Mothers’'Day!. This was the attraction of the. Miller’s Flat meeting held on October 5. Mrs Bruce Smellie, president, was in the chair, and warmly welcomed the visitors, the mothers and their children. Specially invited to be present were—Mrs John Bennetts, Mrs J. R. Gilmour , (president and treasurer . respectively of the Roxburgh Plunket Society), and Miss C. E. Cowles (of the Plunket Committee, Roxburgh),. , Mrs Bennetts, to whom is due much of the growth, development, and success of life' Plunket movement in Central Otago, theft, gave a friendly and,, informal talk /about the pioneering wort of the movement, her reminiscences proving very • interesting to some of the Solder,' - residents, - (who Still gratefully remember the first Plunket nurses in the district. The speaker also mentioned the . different languages' into which Sir Truby King’s Plunket text books had been translated... All present then spent -an enjoyable tirte ehafting and admiring thfi; several babes- present. The hostesses were Mesdames A. H. Smellie, J. Smith, I; Stockdill,:.- and' "Smellie. At a suitable interval the president then handed a smallf gift to- each child present^:'special gifts beifig presented on behalf of their many- division- friends, to Don and Dick Waldron, twin sons of Mrs Y. Waldron, whose first birthday happily coincided with the, branch’s first Mothers'. Day. No more worfhy i: tribute could be paid to the invaluable work of the founder and supporters of this great Plunket movement than the gratitude of proud and happy mothers, blest with their bonny, healthy babes. The little 4 , people who contributed to the success of the afternoon were—Doreen Kitto, Billy Mudge. Margaret Findlay. May Adams, Des Wingfield, Barbara Smellie (Green Island)', lan Jolly, Raymond Weaver, Ronald Weaver, Graeme Mudge, Bruce Aitken, Billy Adams, Bill Creighton, Tom Pannett, and Don and Dick Waldron, Appreciative votes of thanks to the Roxburgh visitors, and to the chair, followed by the singing of the NationaLArithem, brought to a close a thoroughly enjoyable meeting. -"• ' • ■ ■■ ■/.

The second birthday party of the Ow’aka branch of the Wortien’s Division of the Farmers’ Union Was held in .the. Owaka Memorial Hall on Friday, September 30, and was well attended; a. large number of. visitors being’ present from adjacent branches of the Farmers- Union _ and Women’s Division in addition to friends and associates of the _ branch in Owaka. As a result the seating accommodation of the hall was fully taxed-Tiy an enthusiastic audience, who were .very pleased with the programme, which wns ani excellent one. reflecting great credit-pn, those responsible for its arrangement*' and also on the performers who participated. The president (Mrs J. Logan), > before- announcing the first item on the programme, appropriately welcomed the visitors from adjoining branches, expressed her plcasure at seeing so many present, arid made reference to the goodwill and concord existing between members and branches that cemented the harmonious spirit’’that prevailed in .the Women’s Division. The membership Of the Owaka branch, she stated, was’ now 50, and she hoped, that it would continue to increase. In conclusion, Mrs Logan stated that apologies had been, received from Mrs Drake, Miss Finlayson,. and. Mr A. C; Cameron. Before commefacing;the first item, which.was

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a chorus by members of the division,. Mrs W,, H. Craigie, on behalf of the local branch; presented Mrs Logan with a bouquet of flowers as an emblem of esteem'arid goodwill of the members, who had much appreciated her unstinted efforts and thorough efficiency in attending to all duties pertaining to her office, which she had filled with credit to herself and the branch. The programme, of which nearly all, the items were encored, was as follows: —Dialogue, Mrs. and Miss Wright; duet, “Madam, Will You Walk?” Mias S. R. Martin and ,Mr E. Wilson; vocal solos, Mies R. Craigie; dialogue, Misses J. Ryley, S'. R. Maftjn, and -D. Miller, and Messrs E. Wilson,, jJariies Logan, and A. Osborn; and' rin-.'octet, entitled “Local Hits,” by Mrs ’Pagey, Misses Martin, Osborne, and Craigie, and Messrs Crawford, Wilson, and 'Chapman-Cohen. Coon songs and jokes by. a;-roinstrel troupe concluded the concert part of the programme, after which • 1 congratulations and good wishes were. convened to the Owaka W.D.F.U. by'Mrs G. S. Wilson (Gleuorriaru). Mr TV (Tahatika), Mrs M. Allan (Ratariui), Mr J. D. W. Hogg (Owaka Farmers’, Union), and Mr C. C. Norrish ’.(Owaka,;Yalldy)., After supper, the birthday, gftke was' cut and partaken of. The floor was then cleared and dancing indulged in till a late hour.

THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE . BRANCH ACTIVITIES .

The Parefni Women’s Institute held its final card party in the Port Molyneux Hall on Thursday night. Some 64 players took part in the euchre tournament, Mrs Dippie winning the ladies’ first prize and Mr Glover the men’s first prize. The consolation prizes were won by Mies M. Murdoch and Mr A. Taylor. After supper the floor was cleared for dancing to the music supplied by local residents. The monthly meeting was held in the school on Saturday. The president (Mrs Aitkenhead) presided over an attendance of 26 members and friends. A roll call, “My Favourite Pastime,” or “ Whistling John Peel,” caused much merriment. An interesting demonstration on making wool quilts, humpties, and many different kinds of covers, was given by Mrs Boyd, of Lovell’s Flat. A short community singing was much enjoyed by all present. !]! * *

On October 3 Lawrence held its monthly meeting. Mrs Barton presided. After the correspondence was read and dealt with Mrs R. Cox gave an interesting demonstration on “ Papier Ma'chc,” and also exhibited some fine specimens of this handicraft. A profitable half hour was spent in physical culture, with Miss Lane as instructress, while Miss Noble officiated at the piano. During the social half hour Miss Stewart delighted' th 6 members with her singing and was recalled. The roll call was a simple remedy on “ house economy.” The ' hostesses were Mrs Hunt and Misses Highley, Haworth, and Hopkins. * =l; * 1

On Thursday last Romahapa held its monthly Mrs F. M'Kenzie was elected vice-president, and Miss Edna Cunningham treasurer (these offices not having been previously filled). A number of new members was then enrolled. The president (Mrs Evans) took the opportunity of explaining that girls under the •age of 16 would be admitted to free membership. A display of antiques proved very, interesting and called for much admiration. Miss Grant, of Petirua, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for her explanation of many points in connection with institute matters. The hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdamcs Evans and Wright. -v • ,i

Papatowai held its monthly-theeting in the school last Tuesday. Mrs W. Tubman welcomed the members and visitors. ,A competition, “ Boys’ Hidden. Names,” was won by Mrs W. H. Latta. The roll call for the evening was “My Pet Economy,” and many amusing answers were given. Mrs W. H. Latta demonstrated the making , of pictures from coloured papers. Then followed a social half-hour, which was very enjoyable. The hostesses for the evening were Misses L. Hay and L. Latta.

The Stirling monthly meeting was held in the Athenaeum Hall on Wednesday at 2 p.m. A good attendance of members was present. The president (Mrs Ericr son) presided. A competition for the best article made out of a 501 b flour bag resulted in the first prize being awarded to Miss K. Rutherford, the second to Mrs Ericson. and the third to Mrs James Boyd and Miss Maxwell, (both equal). Mrs J. Garfield Anderson then sang two pretty songs, after which a pleasant half-hour was spent in social chat. Mrs Reid, from Balclutha, then gave a demonstration of “ barbola work, and some beautiful samples of. the work were handed round for inspection' and muefi admired by all present. Mrs Jensen thanked Mrs J. Garfield Anderson for so kindly entertaining the gathering that . afternoon, Mrs John .Bell also according,-a hearty vote of thanks, to’: Mrs Reid for her very interesting demonstration. ' . * " * .!»

There was a good attendance of members at the September Heriot meeting. Mrs King presided and welcomed" several visitors. The motto for the day was “ Face the World with Your Head Forebost and Your Backbone Straight.” The roll call, “My Pet Cure for the Blues,” caused much laughter. A competition for the best fancy apron resulted in Mrs Morrow being placed first, Mrs Gordon second, and Mrs A. Smith third. The chief attraction for the afternoon was the visit of Mrs Coubrough, of Kelso, who gave a talk on Scottish music and songs. Mrs Coubrough also generously offered to sing any request numbers, and her offer was eagerly accepted. Miss V. Black obligingly relieved Mrs Coubrough and Mrs Foster accompanied the singers, A vote of thanks was extended to Mrs Coubrough, who was accorded musical honours. In reply, Mrs Coubrough told of her association with rural institutes in Canada and the Homeland, and of the beautiful and useful work done by the women of these institutes. The hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames Morrow and M'Ritchie and Miss Moncur. On September 30 Heriot held a successful concert and dance, the seating accommodation being taxed to its utmost. Songs, ballets, dance duo, playettes, instrumental items and a play by some of the members helped to fill an attractive programme, and the items of the assisting artists, Mesdames Howell (Parkhill) and C. Smaill (Moa Flat), and violin solos by Mr Howie, were very much enjoyed by all. DR JOAN MACDONALD’S TROUSSEAU A young designer,’Miss Enid Drysdale, who has recently.set up in a dressmaking business in London, was commissioned by her friend, Dr Joan MacDonald, second daughter of the British Prime Minister, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, to design and make her trousseau. Dr Joan MacDonald's wedding took place last month. “Dr MacDonald and I have been friends since we were children, and when she became engaged she asked mo to design and make her trousseau,” Miss Drysdale told an English writer. It included a travelling suit in black hopsack lined with shepherd’s plaid; a blue tweed coat and skirt trimmed with leather buttons; a simple woollen dress of a red and blue herring-bone pattern. There was a lavender-blue taffeta evening dress piped with green, with a matching cloak of deep blue velvet; arid a long, caped coat of old-rose tweed, worn over a dress of grey and rose-patterned silk—the going-uway suit. The wedding dress, a shimmering length of white and gold brocade, was cut on straight and simple lilies, high-waisted, and with long, tight sleeves puffed on the shoulder.