WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18163, 10 August 1933, Page 4

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

MANUTUKE’S BIRTHDAY INTERESTING DEBATE That a very large section of members of the Manutuke Women’s Institute and Ormond Women’s Institute disapproves of the modern girl was apparent at a lively debate which took place at the monthly meeting of the Manutuke institute, held at the institute’s hail, on Tuesday afternoon. Visitors from the Ormond institute augmented the gathering, which packed the building to the doors and necessitated a hurried call on neighboring members for extra seats. The programme was a very full one, and as it was quite impossible to include (file demonstration and allow- members to return to their homes at - a reasonable hour, it was reluctantly postponed. Mrs. W. A. McCliskie, the president, was in the chair, and she, and the secretary and treasurer Mrs. Puilinger, were presented with exquisite boiiquets of violets, daphne, daffodils, marigolds and snowflakes, by Mrs. Cummings, president of the Ormond institute; the tributes were tendered on behalf of the visitors. <

The decorations' of the hall were most artistically carried out by Mrs. Piercy, who utilised quantities of violets, Iceland poppies, narcissi and anemones. After discussion, it was decided to hold the evening to bo given for the entertainment of members’ men-folk, on Thursday, September 7. A letter was received from Mrs. Dougal Williams, congratulating the Manutuke institute on again winning the programme banner (it is interesting to mention that this banner is competed for by institutes throughout the Dominion and Manutuke has won it twice). After other matters of business were disposed of in a satisfactory manner, a report on the recent Dominion conference of institutes was given by Mrs. McCliskie, and, inter alia, she said that 200 institute people were bn (board the boat she travelled on, and a special railway carriage was placed at the disposal of delegates. Humorous incidents were recounted and drew much laughter. The speaker said that, with the sanction of members, she would hold over all matters touching on the remits until next meeting. This was promptly forth- j coming, and Mrs. McCliskie continued her report, giving a running and graphic account of tho conference. She mentioned the cordial welcome delegates received at tho hands of Mrs. Deans and others, tho welcome tendered to Colonel Studholm and Dr. Might, and gave a brief resume of their speeches. Mention was made of the address of Dr. Irving, who had requested permission to attend the conference to lay his views before delegates on matters pertaining to the obstetrical hospital. This speaker had stated that £51,000 , raised for this specific purpose had not been. used. Lady Wigram, head of the Red Cross in Canterbury, was another speaker to address tho conference. Mrs. McCliskie stated that there were 635 institutes in New Zealand, with an approximate membership of 30,000, and she stressed the fact of it being a fully organised body. At the civic reception tendeded delegates the Mayor of Christchurch had said that lie had not known what the institutes were until his attention was aroused by a constant stream of donations for unemployment relief coming to hand; then he thought he had better find out something of the institute movement, and now the more he found out, the more he felt convinced that it was a power of good in the land, and lie wished it every success. Reference was made by Mrs. McCliskie to the new constitution, .which has been adopted for one year. Over 300 delegates had attended the conference, and there were approximately 200 visitors who sat in the gallery and were interested spectators of the proceedings. Questions that had puzzled the various individual executives were put to the conference for solution. In a running commentary characteristic of Manutuke’s president and delegate, nothing of importance was omitted. On amusing incident was given in connection with the placing of the “Collar of Heather” on the newly-elected president of tho Dominion executive, Mrs. Patterson, of Pahiatua. Canterbury had won tho much-coveted Bledisloe prize. In entertaining the delegates to the conference Canterbury had attained a high standard, and they had put on a play “The Whirlwind,” which was wholly delightful There had been a mannequin parade at which the youngest frock worn was 50 years old. The frocks were genuine and they created an immense amount of interested and admiring comment. One frock was a grandmother’s wedding dress, and there was hardly a spot on the skirt where it was not bunched or bustled Every conceivable color was represented; some of the materials were exquisite in texture; and one frock, a ball dress, featured a lovely pink quilted-satin underdress. The 13 delegates from Poverty Bay had spent an enjoyable and most instructive time at the conference.

fit the conclusion of the report Mrs. W. A. Smith heartily congratulated Mrs. McCliskie, and moved a vote of thanks and appreciation, which was passed by acclamation. The roll call, limericks on members, was next on the programme, and it proved vastly amusing. During the serving of a delicious afternoon repast by the hostesses, Mesdames Piercy and Bradford and Miss Piercy, a beautifully made and iced birthday cake was cut by the visiting president of the Ormond institute. The cake 1 was, very large and was white and silver with three candles on top. Miss McLean made the cake, and Miss Wyatt iced it, and to these two ladies the thanks of the institute were tendered.

Two competitions were on the programme, and the awards were as follow: Best plate of girdle scones.—Mrs. McCliskie, 1; Mrs. Daulion, 2; Miss Atkins 3. Article donated for the hall.—Mrs. McCliskie (cloth embroidered in W.I. colors), 1; Mrs. Daulton (liumpty), 2; Mrs. Bertleson (tea-cosy), 3. The debate, “Is the Modern Girl a Better Woman than the Girl of Her Grandmother’s Time?” had been eagerly anticipated, and, as the speakers had evidently given much thought to tho matter, a lively discussion followed.’ The leaders were Mrs. J. R. Read and Mrs. J,. A. Pirie, the former taking the negative and the hitter the affirmative. The second speakers were Mrs. Leclue Mclntosh, for the affirmative, and Mrs. F. R. Ilill, for the negative. Points were scored by both sides and the greatest pleasantry and good humor marked the proceedings. When put to the vote the negative won, and a pleasing feature was that the visitors, too, recorded their votes and obviously were as keenly interested as anyone present. Thanks to tho principals and their supports were tendered by the president, and a v hearty round of applause followed. Prior to departure, Mrs Cummings thanked the Manutuko institute for the invitation to lie present, and voiced the pleasure derived by the Ormond institute members. She congratulated Manutuko on its president, and spoke of her able and efficient representation

at the conference, also mentioning tho fact that Poverty 'Bay delegates were indebted to Mrs McCliskie for the excellent travelling arrangements. Looking round the 1 room,, Mrs Cummings offered her congratulations on tho comfortable and commodious hall, and the wealth of reading matter in tho imposing library. The meeting, which was one of the most enjoyable so far held, concluded with the National Anthem, fitly closing (proceedings on tho third birthday of the Manutuko Women’s Institute.