COUNTRYWOMEN MEET

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19919, 22 April 1939, Page 14

COUNTRYWOMEN MEET

MRS SHERRATT PRESIDENT

CENTRAL COMMITTEE

SUPPORT FOR SCHEME

• The Gisborne branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union deckled at its annual meeting yesterday afternoon to co-operate with the other women's organisations of the district in the formation of a women's central committee in Gisborne; Mesdames I. D. Morrison and Hewetson were appointed the division's representatives on the committee, to be set up to carry out community service in a time of national emergency. There was a large attendance at the meeting, which was held in the Bon Accord tea-rooms. The president, Mrs. E. R. Black, was in the chair.

On behalf of the members, Mrs. Black extended a welcome to Mrs. C C. Jackson, Dominion treasurer, who had made a special trip to Gisborne from the Wairarapa to attend the meeting. Mrs. Black presented the visitor with a bouquet.

The secretary, Mrs. Morrison, reported on the Women's Central Committee proposal and on the Rahiri Women's Home scheme. The Rahiri scheme was briefly discussed and, on the motion of Mrs. Veitch, seconded by Mrs. G. V. Smith, it was agreed not to support the movement.

Red Cross Delegate

In response to a request from the Gisborne branch of the Red Cross Society, it was decided to appoint a representative on the Gisborne Red Cross committee, Mrs. E. R. Black being elected to the .position. Mrs. Hewetson undertook to make a floral wreath to be placed on the War Memorial on Anzac Day on behalf of the division.

The pasi year's activities were reviewed by the president, who stated that owing to the difficulty of bringing members together in December and January the meetings for these months had been cancelled, but the remainder of the monthly meetings had been fairly well attended. Interesting travel talks had been given by Mrs. Puflett and by Dr. Theodora Hall. Mrs. Swain gave a demonstration of felt work, and Mrs. Galvin an exhibition of floral work. Members heard an explanation by Dr. A. L. Singer of the work of the Red Cross Society.

The sum of £44 was cleared at a jumble sale held in the Parish Hall in October, and it was hoped to hold a similar effort annually. Members also had assisted the Gisborne Young Farmers' Club is staging a ball. During the year a fund was established to aid tired mothers to obtain the rest they needed.

Sound Finances The report of the financial statement, which showed that the branch was in a sound financial position, was adopted, on the motion of Mrs. E. R. Renner, seconded by Mrs. T. Field. Mrs. G. V. Smith congratulated the president and secretary on their excellent work on behalf of the society. She moved a vote of thanks to the two officers, which was carried. In presenting a report on the housekeepers' subsidy scheme, the secretary stated that the branch had subsidised housekeepers to the extent of £ls while £42 had been received from headquartres for the purpose. Positions had been found for housekeepers. The election of officers resultedPresident. Mrs. R Sherratt.- vicepresidents. Mesdames E. R. Black ami T Field; committee. Mesdames E. U. Black T. Field. J. Steed, Hewetson Busck'e E R. Renner, C. Blackburn. Kin" I Puflett and Veitch, hon. secretary" Mrs. I. D. Morrison; housekeeping' secretary, Mrs. Hewetson: advisory members to the housekeeping secretary, Mesdames H Lange and R. Scott. .. .. Before vacating the chair the retiring president, Mrs. Black, paid a tribute to the work of Mrs. Morrison, who had done a great deal of work during the year as secretary, treasurer and housekeeping se « el " J - On behalf of the members of tt» branch she presented Mrs. Mornsoi. with a crystal bowl. Bouquets were presented by M ■ E. R. Renner to Mesdames SlacK. Sherratt and Morrison.