WELL DESERVED HONOUR.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13687, 20 October 1937, Page 4

WELL DESERVED HONOUR.

ACCORDED MRS. H, PATERSON.

BY THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE. The last half-yearly Council meeting of the Bush-Wairarapa Federation of Women’s Institutes (held at Alasterton) honoured Mrs J. D. C. Crewe, of Pa hi atu a, with a gold honours badge of the Institute movement, given on rare occasions in recognition of meritorious service to the organisation. The presentation was made by Mrs H. Paterson, who was similarly honoured at yesterday’s Council meeting at Mangamutu. Fittingly enougu it was Mrs Orewe'e privilege to make the presentation to Airs Paterson, and in doing so the former said it was a great honour to be able to do this. Mrs Paterson lad been a member for 11 years, she went on to say, pointing out that she (the speaker) had ueeu helped in. the three years of her presidency by Mrs Paterson, who later became president of the Pahiatua Institute and then presidentof the Dominion Federation. The vahiatua Institute had been proud of this honour but had been prouder still when Airs Paterson was honoured last year by being appointed a New Zealand representative at the conference of the Associated Countrywomen of the World in Washington. Further evidencing her work, Mrs Orewe mentioned that Airs Paterson had visited every Federation in the Dominion and nearly every Institute, doing wonderful work. There was one they had to thank for this and that was Dr. Paterson who, as everyone knew, was a very busy man and who must have missed her greatly when he came home tired after a heavy day’s work. Airs Crewe then pinned the badge on Airs Paterson which went with all their love and affection, adding that next to Miss Jerome Silencer (founder of the movement in New Zealand) no one deserved the honour more. (Applause). Airs Macdonald handed Mrs Paterson a bouquet in token" of the joy they experienced in having the presentation made to Airs Paterson at Mangamutu, adding that the latter Institute felt that she was really one of their own because she had been one of their first members and had been a Mangamutu delegate when she had been made Dominion president. (Applause). Receiving an ovation when she advanced to reply, Airs Paterson expressed surprise at receiving the presentation. saying that she had felt she had been paid a great honour when she had been appointed to represent the Dominion at the Washington Conference. Mrs Paterson said she was glad that Airs Crewe had mentioned her husband because he had been a great lielj> to her and had always encouraged her. Sometimes when she bad felt the weight ot responsibility of the Dominion presidency the doctor had said. “Never mind, you have always got the BushWairarapa Federation behind you.” Airs Paterson was then accorded musical honours by her fellowmembers.