Exhibition of Work

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19373, 10 July 1937, Page 12

Exhibition of Work

To all interested in artistic and utilitarian handwork, men as well as women, the exhibition of work of members of the Women’s Institutes of the district staged on Thursday and yesterday at the Selvyn Hall was a revelation of clever and intricate handwork, industry, charming designs, ingenuity and economy in materials. The exhibitors are to be congratulated on their work, and should receive far wider public support for their next annual display, which, if weather conditions are more favourable, should eclipse this year’s effort in extent and variety, for unfortunately a number of institutes on the East Coast and other districts were prevented from attending and showing their exhibits this week by the adverse weather and consequent difficulty of transport over bad roads and flooded streams in the back country. The chief feature of the show was the mixed court competition, in which each institute was allowed a space measuring 6ft by 3ft on which to stage a display of miscellaneous articles representing a variety of crafts. Although the prizewinners in. this section fully deserved their awards, it was regretted that some i of - the exhibits containing work of an exceptionally high standarad lost points through having an insufficient variety of types of handcraft. One institute, Wairoa, was given special mention for its excellent display of: arts and crafts, and another, Muriwai, J a special prize fa- Maori cruft work, j

this showing Maori mats, piit-pius from material gathered from the bush, a hand-made hat of wovdo flax, and carving, as well as European work. Most of the exhibiting institutes showed their table cloth, eacli beautifully designed and worked in their special colours, which is used for the president’s table at the monthly meetings. A great deal of pride has been taken in the making of those cloths, which were greatly admired by visitors to the exhibition. Another fine piece of work is the Poverty Bay Federation banner, done in fine tapestry and of a symbolical design carried out in orange, brown and fawn, the federation motto, “To help, to serve,” being woven into the background. To all housewives and bread-win-ners the competition for the most economical luncheon for four people attractively set on tables, points being given for all aspects of the meal as well as its cost, was of special interest. Owing to other entrants in this class being unable to be present on account of the weather, only three were shown, but each merited much praise. The Makaraka-Matawhero Women’s lirtstitute achieved a templing, nourishing savoury meal for a little over 2s (for four people), including Aberdeen sausage, condiments and preserves, a dish of blanc-mange bordered with red jelly and covered with pineapple, bread and butter in 1 neat rolled pats, and tea. This meal [ was charmingly set out on a snowy | cloth with a bright green dinner and

tea service, and a crystal vase of Iceland poppies, and received first prize. The second prize went to the Ormond institute, who, for 2s. 9Jd provided pressed tongue, pickles, fruit salad daintily served and other foodstuff's with tea, in a setting of yellow chinaware and Iceland poppies. Whangara, third prize, spent 4s 31d on its lunch, but provided a sumptuous meal with hot baked potatoes in their jackets, hard-boiled eggs encased in sausage meat, scones, cheese, jam and many other items, with charming blue and yellow china and posy bowls of mixed flowers. Each table showed its menu and price list. Among the novelties noticed in the exhibits were a round tea-pot stand made entirely of dead safety matches; beautiful rugs made from discarded materials of artistic design and finished workmanship; a novel sewing compact in wood; humpty from cheese crates; a beautifully patched pair of boys’ navy blue serge trousers; homecured sheepskin of exceptional softness and finish; and artificial flowers. The work shown included all manner of needlework, embroidery, some very fine smocking, leather work, , poker work, tapestry, embroidered framed pictures, brass and other , metal work, hand-made rugs, patch- j work, knitting of all kinds, wood- j j work, crochet work, pokerwork, pen- ( painting, carving, evening bags; petal j work; lamp-shades, attractively- i dressed dolls, toys of many kinds, tinsel paper work, tailoring, baby j ( clothes, articles from sacking, eider- 1 ( downs and screens. 1j l