THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21981, 16 June 1933, Page 15

THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Paretai held its monthly meeting last Saturday. There was a good attendance of members and visitors present, one new member being enrolled. The roll call, “ Cures for a cold,” was well answered, many useful hints being, given. The competition, “A shopping bag from a sugar bag,” "brought forth many entries, Mrs Thomson being placed first, Mrs Mealing second, and Mrs Thomas Marshall and Mrs Drake equal third. The hostesses for the afternoon were Miss V. Prentice and Miss N. Aitkenhead. Arrangements were made for a social evening on Saturday, 17th inst. The last card party was well attended, Mrs Rowley gaining ladies’ first prize and Mr D. Thompson, jun., men’s first prize. Mr Raines and Miss H. Raines gained .consolation prizes. * v * * The Tahakopa Women’s Institute held its monthly meeting on Thursday evening, June 8, Mrs Watson presiding over a good attendance of members, including visitors from the Papatowai Institute. The motto for the month was “ Look Back on Happy Days; but. Not on Sorrow. Yesterday’s Troubles Will Be Gone To-morrow.” The roll call, “ Uses of Kerosene,” enabled members to share useful hints. Mrs Watson, as delegate to the council meeting held recently in Dunedin, gave a brief summary of the business dealt with. Mrs Tubman also spoke on the work of the federation, of which she is a member. Mrs W. H. Latta kindly demonstrated the making of a rug out of old silk stockings. A competition, an article costing not more than one shilling, was won by Mrs Harrington, with Miss E. Tunnicliffe second. The hostesses were Mesdames Brosnan, Gould, Rooney, and Stickle.

A special meeting was held at Naseby on June 12 in order to meet Miss Reid and Miss Crowe, of the Home Science Extension Bureau. The president (Mrs Palmer) presided over a large attendance of members and friends. The roll call, a limerick, brought forth many original and amusing verses on the institute and other topics of interest in the district. Miss Reid then addressed the gathering, and was listened to with’ the keenest attention as she touched on various phases of home science extension and institute work. Some important facts were stressed with regard to nutrition and the health of children; gay little sun suits were displayed and the scouring of wool and making of eiderdowns carefully explained. There «was a splendid collection of articles for distribution among the needy. First prize for “ A new garment from an old one ” was won by Mrs MacMillan, with Mrs Fox and Miss D. Petrie placed second. The hostesses for the evening were Mrs Brown, Miss Browui, and Miss Ball.

On Friday, June 9, a lantern lecture under the auspices of the Women’s Institute, was held in the Dunback Coronation Hall. In spite of the cold weather there was a large attendance of residents and visitors. The speaker was Miss Bell, and Miss M'Leod attended to the work of the slides. The subject was “ Travels Abroad ” starting with life on board a liner, and passing through the Panama canal. The speaker explained the work of the locks, and how vessels pass through from the Atlantic to the'Pacific. England, with its famous abbeys, cathedrals, and castles. Scotland with its great war memorials, Spain with its wonderful architecture, and France, finishing at the world-famous Riveria, was the route taken. Miss Bell’s address received close and enthusiastic attention, and proved of great educational value. Mr Murray, in a short speech, accorded Miss Bell a vote of thanks for her interesting and descriptive address. Several Women’s Institute members in costume sang in a pleasing manner “ Come to the Fair.” Under the supervision of Mrs Brownlie several members delighted the audience with some of the old-time folk dances. The •accompaniments were played by Misses M'Leod and A. Wilson. After supper a dance followed, and brought to a close a successful and enjoyable evening.

The monthly meeting of the Balclutha Institute, held in St. Mark’s Hall yesterday, drew a record attendance for this year, the number present being over 70. Mrs J. R. Copland presided and the meeting was both enjoyable and interesting. The motto for the month, “Bo not stain to-day’s blue sky with to-mor-row’s clouds,” was read. The roll-call was “ Birthplaces,” and proved of more than usual interest, every financial member of the institute answering, the result being that it was discovered that members were born in London and other parts, of the world, the majority being New Zealanders. Routine business was then transacted. The president intimated that home science lectures would be given shortly and asked members to keep these in view. The president gave a brief but interesting resume of the business done at the recent Federation Conference in Dunedin and was accorded a vote of thanks. Miss M. Stewart then delighted those present with two very fine violin solos, being accompanied by Mrs J. G. Anderson, and heartily applauded at the conclusion. The hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdumes A, E. Russell, F. Waite, James Guest, M. Low, C O’Hara, Weir, W. Anderson, and N. Wilkinson. A “ Hunt ” Competition was held and provided some diversion. _ A ballot was taken as to whether the institute would

send a delegate to the New Zealand Conference in Christchurch, and it was decided by a large majority that a delegate be sent, and Mrs Copland (the president) was unanimously appointed delegate. Mrs W. R. Scott gave an interesting demonstration on the making of electric lamp shades and was followed closely by all members. The demonstrator showed in a concise manner the way to make these popular household articles and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.