MATAWAI NEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18182, 1 September 1933, Page 8

MATAWAI NEWS

(Herald Correspondent.)

A well-attended meeting of the, hinterland group of Women’s Institutes took place m the Matawai Hall on Thursday. The group committee held a short meeting prior to the general meeting. Members present were Mesdames U. C. Arthur and Hutchens, Motu; Mesdames P. McLoughlin and W. A. Shaw, Rakauroa; Mesdames C. (1. Fielder and A. G. Gibson, Matawai. Airs. Gibson presided. A short discussion ensued on how best the group could help the Poverty Bay federation, it being mentioned "by the president, who is also a member of the Poverty Bay federation executive, that out of the 29 Women’s Institutes in Poverty Bay up to the beginning of August only seven had helped the parent body. It was decided to leave this matter in the individual institutes. On the motion of Mrs. McLoughlin, seconded by Mrs. Arthur, the matter of closing the group after the annual meeting at Rakauroa in Jaiiuary, is to be referred to the three institutes concerned for discussion. Airs. H. E. Burgess, president of the Alatawai Women’s Institute, was then invited to take the chair, and the proceedings opened with the singing of the institute song. This was followed by a song, “Aly Task,” by Mrs. Fielder, this item being well received. Airs. Burgess, in a pleasing speech, welcomed Mr. Everett, orchard instructor, Gisborne, who not only gave a very interesting and instructive lecture on orchard and garden pests and diseases, but later gave a practical demonstration of pruning at Air. Gibson’s orchard. Tn his address Air. Everett dealt with chewing and sucking insects, giving examples of each and quoting sprays for the control of these pests. The otTier diseases he classified into fungus, bacteria, virus and physiological. Those of the members who were privileged to see the pruning demonstration and to hear the careful explanation of each step in the process were well repaid for the long distances they had travelled to be present. On returning to the hall, afternoon tea was dispensed, and on the motion of Airs. Burgess, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer. In acknowledgement, Air. Everett thanked the meeting for the great interest shown in his subject and offered further assistance to any member who cared to apply to him. After the instructor retired, the voting for the competition, hand-knitted jumper, took place, Miss K. Shaw winning the trophy, and Rakauroa institute automatically taking possession of the bowl, which was won by Alotu institute in January. The lady demonstrators then carried on simultaneously, Airs. Thomas, Motu, showing how to make.vases from pungns, Mrs. Francis, Rakauroa, wool tapestry; and Airs. Fielder, Matawai, papier mache. All three were veiy interesting, each demonstrator being surrounded by a cordon of members. Community singing, led by Airs. R. AToughton, occupied the last 10 minutes of a very enjoyable afternoon, the singing of the National Anthem concluded the meeting. Air. G. Montgomery is spending his annual leave in Gisborne, Air. P. Weir continuing to do relieving work at the local Post Office.—Airs. F. C. Briant and family have been spending the school vacation at Patutalii.—Aliss K. Bilham, who has been appointed to take charge of the Kanakanaia School, is visiting Homebrook. Air. and Mrs. BatsonCarlton, Wellington, were recent visitors to Alatawai. The monthly church service held in St. Alary’s last Sunday was well attended. St. Mary’s Guild, which formerly held an annual spring flower show, lias offered to allow the Matawai Women’s Institute to take over this fixture. The offer will be discussed at the next meeting of the Women’s Institute committee.