THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 18

THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

WORK OF THE BRANCHES. MOSGIEL. Airs Kirkland (organiser of the Otago and Southland Federation of the Wamen’s Institute) met the young ladies of Alosgiel recently and formed an institute to be known as the Alosgiel Young Women’s Institute. Aliss Burn was elected president, Aliss Logan vice-president, Miss Blackie secretary, and Aliss Haigh treasurer. The meetings will be held in the Fire Brigade Hall on the second Wednesday evening of each month at 8 p.m. As the work of the institute is both instructive and enjoyable, it is to be. hoped that a large number of young ladies will become members. ¥ ¥ ¥ TAIERI. Fifty-two ladies attended the monthly meeting of the Taieri Women’s Institute, which was held on August 21. After routine business had been attended to. an interesting demonstration of pastrymaking and a three-minute sponge was given by Miss Hughes. Alessrs Turnbull and Jones kindly lent the electric cooker for the

occasion. Miss Hughcs;Tr!ffo judged the competition of scones, pikelets, and other goods, Mrs Hendry being awarded the prize. Afternoon tea was served, and an amusing game followed. Seven new members were enrolled during the meeting. * * * WAREPA. The Warepa Women’s Institute held its monthly meeting in the Warepa Hall on August 11. After the singing of the institute song and the reading of th;. motto for the month, the president extended a welcome to all present, especially to new members who had recently enrolled. The roll call, ‘ What Profession Would I Choose if I Could ? ” proved that the members aspired to high ideals. An advertisement competition resulted in Mrs Findlay being the winner. Miss Cross gave a demonstration of marquetry, which will he continued next month. An enjoyable afternoon tea was accompanied by the usual social chat. The hostesses were Mesdames T. P. Stewart. Day, and Millar. The singing of the National Anthem brought the afternoon to a close. ¥ -A if CLYDEVALE. A large and representative gathering of members, friends, and sister institutes assembled in the Clydevale Hall on August 19 to celebrate the third birthday of the Clydevale Women’s Institute. Idle hall was tastefully decorated and paper hats worn by the company imparted an extra touch of gaiety and colour to the scene. Mrs Cooksley occupied the chair, and, in her opening address, briefly outlined the good work -undertaken by the institute during the year. She spoke of the increas ing interest that was being taken in the movement throughout the rural districts of Otago and Southland. The speaker expressed her pleasure at the large attendance, and extended a warm welcome to all. The visitors present included Mrs Caldwell (Greenfield), Mrs Paterson (Taieri), the Rev. and Mrs Mitchell, and representatives of Clinton, TuapekaGreenfield, Warepa, Waiwera South, and Popotunoa Institutes. The proceedings opened with “ Smiling Song ” by members of the institute, after which the president invited everybody to join in a community sing. The idea, was a happy one and, combined with the “Merry Mix Up," that followed, helped to place the company entirely at its ease. • During the evening songs were rendered by Miss Weir and Miss M. Miller, recitations by Miss Mowat and Mrs M‘Kee (the latter reciting verses of her own composition relating to institute matters), a monologue by Mrs Weir, and a play-reading by AJesdames Kee and Cooksley, each item receiving worthy ap precaution. A Swedish dance by members wearing smocks of their own designing was heartily applauded. The smocks were later displayed in the hall, the first prize being awarded to Mrs A. I. Miller and the second to Mrs Weir. A waltz and a musical game followed, and thanks are due to Mr Alan Smith for supplying the music. A dainty supper was partaken of, after which Mr Arthur Kee spoke on behalf of the institute. He briefly surveyed the aim and objects of the movement and drew attention to all it had accomplished in a few years, and commended it as worthy of the loyal support of the com munity. The birthday cake was then cut and handed round. Mrs Caldwell, as president of the federation, congratulated the institute on the success of the occasion and wished them “ Many happy returns. ' Other ladies responding on behalf of their institutes were Airs Hayman for Tuapeka and Greenfield, Mrs Ayson for Warepa and Airs Stevenson for Waiwere South each in happy vein conveying their con gratuiations and thanks for the evening's entertainment. Mrs Kee spoke in appre ciative terms of Mrs Cooksley as presi dent, and also of the past and present secretaries. The singing of “ Auld Lang Syne ’’ brought a very happy party to a close. Ou September 17 Mr Burrows, of Gore, will deliver a lecture on “ Gardening."