THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22717, 1 November 1935, Page 16

THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

•It » W Repo its of meetings of branches are 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 be assured. The half-yearly meeting of the Otago Federation of Women’s Institutes was held in First Church Hall, Dunedin, on Tuesday, October 29. Members of the Executive Committee preseijt were Mrs Ayson (president), Mrs Cooksley (secretary). Mrs Cross (treasurer), Mesdames Kirkland, Bowie, Carson, King, Sinclair, Stevenson, and Tubman. The proceedings opened by singing the' institute song, “ Comrades and Friends.” The creed was read by Mrs Ayson (president), after which she expressed pleasure at seeing such a large gathering of delegates and members, and extended a special welcome to Mrs Kelso, organising secretary of the Dominion Federation of Women’s Institutes. Forty delegates answered the roll call, institutes represented being Awaraargu, Brighton, Benhar, Broad Bay. Clinton, Clydevale, Dunback, Goodwood, Green Island, Janefield, Kaitangata, Kaka

Point. Kuriwao, Kyeburn, Lovell's Flat, Middfeniarch, Mosgiel, Macandrew Bay, Milton, Papatowai, Paretai, Palmerston, Pukekoma, Roxburgh, Romahapa, Sutton, Taieri, Tuapcka Mouth, Taumata, Waitati, Warepa, Waiwera South, Waitahuna, Waikouaiti, Waitepeka, Waipiata, Sawyers' Bay, Tomahawk, Tawanui, Seatliff. Discussions on the remits put forward were entered into with zest by delegates present, denoting a growing interest in the work of the movement. At the opening of the afternoon session Mrs Sproull. of the Taieri Institute, sang, after which Mrs Kelso addressed the meeting, bringing greetings from North Otago, which she bad just visited. She proceeded with the formation of the MidOtago Federation, saying that she felt quite sure that the smaller federation* were the more successful, it released mors women for. the work, who would bring new ideas into the movement. The members for the executive of the Mid-Otago Federation Committee were then ap pointed. Mrs Kirkland, of the Taieri, was elected president, Mesdames Bowie, Ferguson. Graham. Henderson, Korner, Roberts, Wilkie, Williamson, and Miss Cameron. Tea was served by M institute* from South Otago, and members of the Green Island Institute gave a presentation of an amusing play entitled "Widows." Before the meeting closed many of the members intimated their intention of remaining in Dunedin until Wednesday' to attend the school which Mrs Kelso was to conduct, and which would be of such great assistance, both to officers and members in the work ot the institute movement. * * * Mrs Kelso, Dominion organiser of Women's Institutes in New Zealand, conducted a largely attended school for officers and interested members in .first Church Hall, Moray place Dunedin, on Wednesday, October 30. Mrs Kelso fully explained the aims and objects of the movement throughout New Zealand, and said how members should always attend the meetings with a spirit of helping each other, and emphasised the importance ot each institute sending a delegate, and as many interested members as possible attending all conferences and federation meetings. Delegates entered wnolcheartedly into the discussions and many questions and difficulties were solved. Members in Otago are all looking forward with great interest to the annual Dominion conference of Women's Institutes, which will be held in Dunedin in July, 1936. , * ■# x Po.potunoa Women's Institute met on Saturday. The president presided. The motto was " You will never offend by returning a smile.". The roll call was "My birthplace." The competition, " Best three pikelets," was won by Miss Collins,' with Mrs M'Kenzie second and Mrs Sanders third. The Rev. T. Tweedie gave a talk on " England, Scotland and Ireland." Songs were then rendered by Mrs Nelson and Miss V. Watkins, and a monologue by Mrs Sanders. sic * * The Windsor Park Institute was presided over by Mrs Webster. The roll call was " Why? " The various competitions were judged by Mrs Kelson, assisted by Mrs M'Nab. The results were as follows: —Cherry cake: Mrs Fisher 1, Mrs Coughlan 2. Flowering shrubs: Mrs M'lntyre 1, Mrs Fisher 2. Decorated cake tin: Mrs Forrest 1, Mrs M'lntyre 2. This was followed by a Hallowe'en party, controlled by Mesdames Watson and Bullock. * * * On Thursday, October 24, a happy time was spent in the Returned Soldiers' Hall, the occasion being the fourth birthday of the Kaitangata Women's Institute. The hall was decorated with bowls of spring flowers and greenery. Sister institutes were well represented, members from Balclutha, Benhar, Kaka Point, Lovell's Flat, Stirling and Paretai branches being present. A madhatter's parade, followed by a dance, imbued all with a birthday spirit, and a varied programme which followed was enjoyed by all. Mrs Gibson's mad hat was given first prize for the ladies, and Mr Leishman's for the men. The programme was as follows:—Madhatters' parade, Miss Aitcheson two songs, a play, " World Without Men," those taking part in it being Mesdames Careon, Hunter, Irwin, M'Auley, M'lntosh, Watson and Miss Phyllis Russell; two competitions^—paper bag blowing and' choir contests. After supper the president (Mrs Petrie) called on Mrs Bissett, the oldest member, to cut the cake, made by Mrs Watson and iced by Mrs Neill. Opportunity was then taken to present the points, competition prizes, which were won by Mrs Watson and Miss Ethel Gibson. Dancing was then enjoyed till midnight.