WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

Opotiki News, 15 October 1940, Page 3

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY FEDERATION 81-ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING The bi-annual council meeting of the E.8.P.F.W.1. was held at Matata on October 7, Mrs. Woolfield presiding. Over 90 delegates, fnembers, and friends were welcomed, including Mrs. McNaughton, and Mrs. Christian and other Tauranga visitors, who had been invited to attend the meeting; also the president of the Awakeri W.D. An' apology for absence was received from Mrs. V. Wilson, V.O.

The usual routine business was dealt with and Mrs. Withy, V. 0., gave her report. A letter from headquarters was read, urging members to release eggs for export by selling locally as. many as they' could spare, also to raise more pullets for next year. Institutes were also warned against the unwisdom of making levies" on members for various funds. The president in her address asked members to deal with each other in these hard times with the utmost sympathy, trust and understanding. Women would be called upon more and more to do extra work. While it was interesting to know they had dope much for Patriotic work, they must not lose sight of the fact that they were also “doing their bit” justing by looking after their own homes and families. Mrs. Woolfield asked the “Penfriends” secretary, Mrs. McNaughton, to convey to English penfriends their sympathy with them in their troublous times.

Manayvahe W.I. was congratulated on winning the potato shield,’ having grown 2521 lbs. of potatoes amongst 13 members for federation funds. Institutes were reminded to plant their potatoes for the competition this season.

•The only remit, “That the Hon. Minister for Health be asked if a district nurse could be made available to the combined white settlers of Muripara and Galatea, with a strong recommendation that she bo made available to other remote districts,” was carried unanimously. " Mrs. McNaughton asked institutes to try to arrange for a visit from Miss Cox-Jolmson, agricultural tutor, and explained the details of the course of lectures. The visit would be towards the end of November or early in December, and the object of the course was to create a greater interest in gardening, especially vegetables and orchards. The course includedpractical and theoretical work in ilower, fruit, and vegetable cultivation, preserving and drying, garden lay-out, tree-pruning, treatment'of soils, control of pests. The lectures are open to everyone, including' men and members of Young Farmers’ Clubs. Jt is hoped that institutes will join with clubs and other circles to make the lectures, available to as many people as possible in the shortest time. The charge for the full course of six lectures is 5/- per person or I/- each single lecture: After the luncheon adjournment, occasion was taken to do honour to Mrs. Withy, who this year retired from the federation committee, after 10 years’ service, during which time she never, missed a federation meeting.- Mrs. Withy was president of the original federation, before Tauranga divided from the rest of the Bay of Plenty six years ago, and was first president of the new East-, ern Bay of Plenty Federation, and is also a voluntary organiser. Much of the success of the institutes iT the. federation has been due to Mrs. Withy’s untiring enthusiasm and energy. Mrs., Woolfield called upon Mrs. McNaughton, as a member of the Dominion Council, to present Mrs. Withy with the Gold Service Badge. A posy wa s presented to Mrs; Withy from the E.B.P.F. and one from Tauranga, also a. beautiful presentation box of flowers. In returning thanks for the gifts, Mrs. Withy spoke of the pleasure it had always given her to work for the institutes and of how much there was in the movement for every woman. Posies were presented to Mrs. Woolfield (one from each federation), lo Mrs. Christian and to Mrs. McNaughton (who also received a presentation box of lloAers), and shoulder sprays to Mrs. Woolfield and Mrs. Wardlaw. After the delegates had given their half-yearly (including records of patriotic work done), Mrs. Christian gave a most interesting address on “Democracy and what it means to us”.

Votes of thanks were passed tr all who had helped to make the meeting a. success and the singing of the National Anthem brought tho meeting to a close. Tho competitions resulted as follows

Bowl of Flowers: Woodlands 1,