WOMEN'S DIVISION N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22756, 17 December 1935, Page 16

WOMEN'S DIVISION N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Reports ot 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 Merton Women's Division of the Farmers' Union held its last meeting for the year on Thursday. Ideas for Christmas gifts were exchanged. The roll cad was answered with "A Verse of Poetry learnt in Schooldays." Miss Kenyon was successful in winning the competition ot " Hidden Boys' Names."

Mrs Holgate presided over the Clutha branch at its final meeting for the year. She and Mrs J. C. Anderson reported on the recent executive meeting, after which a shilling mystery parcel sale was held among the members, tho proceeds being in aid of the branch funds.

When the Omakau branch of the W.D.F.U. met on December 11 Mr! Charles presided. The president, who had attended an Otago Provincial Executive meeting in Dunedin on November 13, gave an account of the proceedings there. By means of a raffle, a further sum of £4 5s was collected for the children's health camp campaign. The branch had collected for the Plunket Society at the local show, and the sum of £5 odd was raised for this cause.

On Friday, at St. Bathans, the Women s Division of the Farmers' Union of Cam-brian-St. Bathans held a Christmas Tree social for the children. A number of happv children gathered there and enjoyed games, dances, musical items, and a one act play by members of the division. Hie crowning glory of the evening was the Christmas tree, and when about half-past 10, Father Christmas entered the hall in his sledge drawn by a real deer, the excitement reached its height. After driving round the hall. Father Christmas presented each child with a gift from the tree and then, as he drove away, the children cheered him vociferously. After supper and a few more games and a musical item, a very enjoyable evening closed. The branch thanked all those who in any way had helped to make the gathering the undoubted success it was.

The last meeting of the year of the Kia Ora branch was held on Wednesday night. Mrs Durward presiding. The roll call was "A Scotch Joke." In the competition for a child's garment not to cost more than Is, the first prize went to Mrs Dalzicl, with Miss M. Kennedy second, and Miss Elsie Allan third, the garments to be given away. Instead of a demonstration, talks were given by some of the members. Miss Kennedy spoke of a trip through the Catlins, Te Anau, Queenstown, and Omarama, back "to Oamaru; Miss May Taylor gave a talk on Abyssinia, referring to the country itself, its climate, and products, and Mrs M'Clea described the people and their customs, the Emperor, and his family life and way of living. A game, in which all joined, was won by Mrs DalzieL The hostesses were Mrs Morrison and Miss B. Allan.