WOMEN’S DIVISION N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22352, 28 August 1934, Page 13

WOMEN’S DIVISION N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Ueportu of meetings of branches nr« requested, but they should be furnished promptly. for the publication of reports that are not supplied within a week from the date of the meeting •cannot bo assured.

The Hampden branch met on Thursday, the president (Mrs Belcher) presiding The roll call was “ A Spelling Competition.” A demonstration was given by Miss M'Kenzie on “ Tatting.” Alesdamcs Murcott, Murray, and APAleeking were the hostesses.

The Waipiata branch met on Wednesday, August 22, Mrs W. E. Beattie presiding. A song guessing competition was held and a play discussed. The hostesses were Mesdarnes Weir, Millar, Hanrahan, and Jones. The motto for the day was “ Silence is a friend that will never betray.”

The monthly meeting of Momona branch was held on Thursday, Mrs Taylor presiding. The roll call was “ A Verse of Poetry Learned at School.” A competition for the best plate of coconut ice was ‘won by Miss A. Baird. Mrs James Bruce ably demonstrated the correct method of boning and stuffing a shoulder of mutton* Mesdarnes Gillespie and Dryden and Miss Gillespie were hostesses.

The Hillend branch met in the hall on Saturday. Mrs A. T. Stewart presided Miss Doris Bishop was chosen to represent the branch for the “ Education Week for Girls.” Mrs Stewart reported on having attended the field day at Palmerston and spoke of the success of that gathering. Mrs Elliott, of Melburn, gave an account of her travels on the Continent and had views for inspection. The hostesses were Mesdarnes Morgan And Gordon.

. Th« Warrington branch held a social jn the school last Tuesday to raise funds for the community chest. A iclothes-hang-ing competition for the men was won py Mr John Lay, with Air Dan APAleese second. Miss Fleming sang “ Danliy Boy,” Mr_ Proudfoot sang “The Sergeant Major” and “Good-bye.” Air D. Kemp nanced the sailor’s hornpipe,' and Air AI Aleege an Irish jig, both accompanied by Air I, Cameron. Aliss B. Ward and Miss C. Murdoch did a tab dance. A liute solo was given by Air Davis, and a selection by Air and Mrs Walters find Air Davis—piano, violin, and flute. Five Members of the branch—Alesdames MAleese, White, Kemp, Crawford, and Devlin—rave _ the one-act play “Honest Folk. Dancing was interspersed among the itethe.

parts Of Otago on Thursday farmers’ wives accompanied their men folk to Bushey Park Estate, Bushey, where a field day was organised by the North Otago Young Farmers’ Clubs to pay honuor to and meet their grand patron. Lord Bledisloe, and Ij/ady Bledieloe. This comparatively new movement is receiving the whole-hearted support of the Women’s Division and the Farmers’ Union, and for this function tho three farming movements co-operated with Others to .make the gathering an outstanding success. Five to sis hupdred people, representing practically every district in Otago, renewed acquaintanceships and exchanged greetings with old ffiends. Members of the Women’s Division at Palmerston and Waikouaiti provided morning tea and picnic lunch fop tho members of the various executives. On arrival of the vice-regal party* at 11.30 a.m., the Governor-General was met by Mr A. C. Cameron (president, Federation Young Farmers’ Clubs) while Lady Bledisloe was greeted by Mrs J. F. Drake (Otago provincial president, Women’s Division), who presented to her Excellency the meiphere of the Otago Provincial Executive and officers of the branches with whom spent some little time. A delightful interlude was made when little Hilda. May Service (Palmerston) presented a posy of violets. Speeches of welcome were made to their Excellencies by members of the various groups represented. On behalf of the Women’s Division in Otago Mrs Drake eloquently spoke of the encouragement and inspiration given by Lord Bledisloe to the farming Community by bis personal interest, wise counsel,. and sense of stewardship, and expressed the hope that the future would hold every happiness for both Lord and Lady tuedislOe. Lord Rledisloe’g adch’ses was primarily to the young farmers, but, nevertheless, be said he would tike to bear testimony to the grand philanthropic work which the members of the Women’s Ijjvisu.ii were doing to make the lives of the farming women more interesting, more comfortable, and more useful. Prior to departure at 1.30 p.m., her Excellency graciously consented to be photographed mi Women's Division ‘members. The Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe [eft amidst ringing cheers to board the express at Bushey. After luncheon, while the men were atending stock demonstrations, the ladies gathered together under the chairmanship of Mrs J- Fi Drake, speeches being made by Mrs K. B. Meek, provincial president for North Otago, Mrs J. Preston (Flag Swamp), who was the first Otago provincial president, and interestingly reviewed _ the growth of the movement which in 1320 was but an idea of the president of the N.Z.F.U., Mr W, J. Poison. In 1925 the movement was inaugurated, and had growp to exceed all dreams. Mrs Drake, in her speech, commanded the closest attention when she said that it Was desired to make New Zealand a better place for the children. It was for every country woman to put herself into an ( j stand by the orgapjsation which wap started in New Zealand bv New Zealand women fop New Zealand women, and which backed the Farmers’ Union because that which affected the farmers affected the woineu. On behalf of the visitors, Mrs Drake thanked all those ladies who had worked to make the gathering a success, especially mentioning Mrs Galloway (Mayoress of Palmerston) and Mrs Twaddle. Mrs W. R, Wedge (president Palmerston branch, W.D.F-U.) also ppoke to this. Amongst the prominent Women’s Division members noticed were Mcsdames Crawford Anderson (Stirling), W. Annan (Clyde). W. J. M’Kcnzie (Waikoikoi),

W. Elliott (Clarendon), Bruce Smellie (Miller’s F.lat), J. M’Donald (Tapahui), A. T. Stewart (Hillend), J. Wither (Berwick)', E- James (Middlemarch), James Bcgg and Stuart Moore (Dun-' edin), W. Gardiner (Warrington). W. Lee (Waikouaiti), Miss F. V. Finlaysoa (organising secretary), and many others.