THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22020, 1 August 1933, Page 13

THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE.

Clydevale Women's Institute celebrated its fifth anniversary on the 20th inst. The hall was comfortably filled, and, decorated with greens, branches of cherry blossom and Japanese lanterns, presented a festive appearance, the members having spared no pains to make a suitable setting for the Japanese costumes they wore for the occasion. Floral kimonos with bright coloured sashes and large butterfly bows completed a picturesque scene. After the singing of the National Anthem the president (Mrs Weir) extended a hearty welcome to all. Neighbouring institutes who were unable to send representatives sent apologies with best wishes and birthday greetings. Visitors were present from Tuapeka Mouth-, Popotunoa, and members of the Greenfield and Clydevale branches of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union were also present by invitation. At the close of the president's remarks Misses Ruth Miller and Kathleen Mowat,on behalf of the members of the Women's Institute, presented the president and secretary with beautiful bouquets as tokens of appreciation of their fellow members. With the object of making everyone feel at home a " hand-shaking" game followed, the lucky lady and gentleman each receiving a gift, and the lively interest was sustained in the lucky spot waltz which followed immediately afterwards. A pianoforte solo, played by Miss Trixie Geddes,, was much enjoyed, after which the whole company joined in a community sing, the well known institute ode " Comrades and Friends." A vocal treat, contributed by Miss James (Dunedin). was received with delighted applause to which she generously responded and later again pleased the audience with "Hail, Caledonia." A one-act comedy, "The Art of Gargling," by Messrs Shanks and Weir, was very amusing. Miss Charlotte May received an imperative recall for her recitation "The Shadow on the Blind," and responded with " Only Jim " in her usual.pleasing manner. The items were interspersed with dancing, which was followed by a Japanese song ,by Miss C. Weir, with chorus and dance, the latter being gracefully performed by Miss Joan Quaife and Missec Lily and Louis May. The concluding item of this part of the programme was a well-staged one-act plav by members. Those taking part were Mesdames Mowat (minister), Kee (visitor), Misses C. Weir (hostess), T. Geddes (maid), K. Mowat (elderly spinster), and L. May (another visitor), who sustained their respective parts in a most creditable manner. After supper, the ceremony of cutting the birthday cake was performed. The president called upon Mrs Edwin Smith (Greenfield) to light the five candles, after which Mrs Caldwell (Greenfield), who, as first

provincial organiser for Otago, had opened the Clydevale Institute five years ngo, was called upon to cut the cake. This lady lias the unique experience of being the first member of a women's institute in Otago, the first provincial organiser, the first president of the Otago District Federation of Institutes, which position she held for two years, and last year held the office of treasurer of same. In fact, she may justly claim to have " blazed the trail " for women's institutes throughout Otago. Mrs Caldwell expressed the pleasure it gave her to be present, for of all the institutes she had organised, Clydevale Women's Institute she felt specially attached _ to. She asked for a closer co-operation between the Women's Institute and Women's Division, Farmers' Union branch, whose aims and interests were almost identical, and should therefore work hand in hand in country districts where both existed, a suggestion which met with general approval. Votes of thanks to Miss Gertie Wilson, who made the birthday cake, and to Mrs Kee, whose skill in icing it was again amply demonstrated, were carried with applause. Votes of thanks were also moved to the president, Mr s Weir, to whose untiring efforts the success of the party was mainly due, to the secretary, and to all members and friends (including Messrs Wilson and Laing, who attended to the " billy-boiling"), who had helped in various ways to prepare such a pleasant entertainment. An impromptu item took the form of a manikin prade of kimonos, which were much admired. Another was a roll call for husbands, " What you think of the Women's Institute," and caused much merriment. Mesdames M'Corkindale (Tuapeka Mouth) and M'Kenzie (Popotunoa)_ returned thanks, and conveyed greetings on behalf of their respective .institutes. Before closing, the president, Mrs Weir, voiced the feelings of all present in extending a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs' Alan Smith, of Greenfield, for their assistance at the jiiano, and expressed the sincere regret of everyone at their impending departure from the district. Aftejr more dancing, the singing of "Auld Lang Syne " closed one of the happiest birthday parties ever held under the auspices of the Clydevale Women's Institute.