Women’s Institutes.

Putaruru Press, Volume XII, Issue 563, 15 March 1934, Page 2

Women’s Institutes.

WAHAROA Third Birthday Party The third anniversary of the formation of the Waharoa branch of the Women’s Institute was marked by a birthday party in the Public Hall, which was crowded with representatives of the institute branches in surrounding districts and friends of local members. The evening was spent in dancing, interspersed with items by the members of the branch.

Those present were addressed by Mrs. D. R. Gunn, president, who welcomed the numerous visitors, and congratulated the branches at Walton and Taihoa upon the success attained by these as winner and run-ner-up respectively in the institute competition at the recent Matamata show. The president also expressed the appreciation of the branch to the local hall committee for the use of the building for meetings held in the past year.

Mrs. Gunn read a telegram from Mrs. A. M. Stewart, the first president of the Waharoa branch, wishing the latter a happy birthday.

The institute chorus was sung, fob. owing which Mrs. Gunn was the recipient of a beautiful bouquet from the hands of Miss Nancy Petch. Sprays of flowers were also presented to the secretary, Mrs. R. W. Burns, and Mrs. J. B. Wathen, treasurer.

The opening chorus of the entertainment provided by the locai members was sung by Miss Hill, Mesdames Wathen, Copeland, East, Schuler, Jagger, Stanford and Williams. The next item, entitled “The Fruity Alphabet,” sung by the quartette, Mesdames Stanford, Copeland, Wathen and East, was much appreciated by the audience. Two humorous solos by Mr. Alex Clarke gained applause. Miss Stephenson was recalled for her exposition of the sword dance. Mesdames Cubis, Jagger, Williams and East and Miss Hill caused much amusement in “ Sea-side Belles,” depicting a holiday episode at a French coastal resort. A sketch entitled “ Girls Will be Girls,” in which Mesdames Burns, Schuler, Williams, Wathen and Stanford appeared, provided wonderful entertainment, and continuous applause. Mrs. Burns’ acting in the part of the hen-pecked husband in this item was superb.

Prior to the cutting of the birthday cake three candles were lit and extinguished by Mrs. E. Clarke, the oldest member of the institute. A special prize of knitted silk d’oyleys, donated by Miss M. K. Given, for the competition points gained throughout the past year was presented Mrs L. Cubis by Mrs. Gunn.

Mr. O. Lasenby expressed the appreciation of the guests for the entertainment provided and wished the branch many happy returns of its birthday.

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Waharoa branch of the Women’s Institute took place on Thursday afternoon, Mrs. D. R. Gunn presiding. The statement of accounts presented revealed a credit - balance and the annual report detailed a very satisfactory year’s operations.

The election of officers for the ensuing term resulted as follows: President, Mrs. R. E. Bartleet; vicepresidents, Mesdames W. P. Ryan and R. W. Petch; secretary, Mrs. R. W. Burns; treasurer, Mrs. L. L, Cubis; committee, Miss Given, Mesdames D. R. Gunn, W. P. Ryan, B. Tanner, R. Casey, R. W. Petch, R. E„ Bartleet, R. W. Bums, J. H. Williams, A. Jagger, L. L. Cubis, C. Stanford and G, T, Newsome; librarian, Mrs. H. Casey.

Tributes were paid to the services rendered to the branch by the retiring president, Mrs. t). R. Gunn, who declined re-election for health reasons'. Mrs. Gunn had held the office for three years, and completed much work for the institute during that term.

The competition for the destruction of white butterflies was concluded and awards made as follows: Miss Betty Barker first, Miss Nancy Petch second and Miss Joy Williams third. The winner’s total exceeded four thousand butterflies, and the number accounted for in the competition approximated eight thousand.