PUKERAU NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21658, 21 March 1932, Page 12

PUKERAU NOTES

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE. (From Our Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the local branch was held in the hall last Thursday afternoon. Mrs Nixon presided over an attendance of 40 members. The annual report showed that ten regular monthly meetings were held during the year, with an average attendance of 33. The unflagging interest of the president, Mrs Nixon, has been manifested by her presiding at every meeting during the year. A presentation was made to the retiring secretary (Miss Maslin) in recognition of her services to the branch. Miss Stops (Voluntary Organizer) attended the June meeting and at her suggestion the accrediting system for competitions was adopted, Mrs Taylor being appointed to take charge. Play reading has been indulged in at various meetings and very much appreciated. Demonstrations and lectures of. an interesting and instructive nature were given during the year as follows. Tray making, Miss McLay, Pruning; Mr Burrows (Gore), Rug making, Mrs Haggart, Wreath making, Mr Newman (Gore), Native Flora, Mr D. L. Poppelwell (Gore), Poultry, Mr Clayton (Gore), Travel talk, Mrs Nixon. In addition to this Miss Stops demonstrated country dancing which was supplemented by Miss Taylor of the Southland Education Board. Delegates Io meetings were sent to Dunedin in June, Mrs Nixon and Miss Cameron, and to Gore in July and December Mesdames Nixon and Hoare. Th'e birthdayparty was held in September and was very largely attended as also was the flower show held the following month. During the year the sympathetic influence of the institute was availed of in effecting sales of basket ware from the Institute of the Blind (Auckland) while nearer home, assistance was rendered to a member whose hduse had been destroyed by fire. In conclusion we desire to render our sincere appreciation and thanks to all who assisted the branch during the year and solicit another year’s ■keen interest in the doings of “Our Institute.”

In moving the adoption of the report the president congratulated the members on the success of the year’s operations, and extended her thanks for the loyal support she had received during her two and a-half years in the chair. The report together with the balance-sheet showing a credit 19/14 was adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing years resulted as follows: — President, Mrs E. Hoare; vice-presidents, Mesdames Gordon and Nixon; secretary and treasurer, Mrs S. Kennedy; committee, president, vice-presidents and Mrs R. T. Edwards, Miss Cameron, Mesdames Sharp, Haggart, Knox and Miss Maslin. Mrs IL Kcrse was appointed to take charge of the market table.

The serving of afternoon tea by the hostesses, the Misses Charles, Mason and G. Voight was followed by a demonstration by Mrs Haggart on chocolate paper picture making, and the roll call, “The most useful hint.”

The annual meeting of the Pukerau Hall committee and Library subscribers was held on February 27, there being ten members present. Mr F. Norton presided. The balance-sheet showing a credit of £Bl was adopted on the motion of the chairman, who commented on the healthy state of the finances, while the library still served a useful purpose in the district, the number of subscribers being 37.

The following office bearers for the ensuing year were elected: Messrs F. Norton (chairman), L. Sharp, H. Potter, D. Murray, L. Potter, J. Burke and L. Millar. Mr R. Sharp was re-appointed secretary and librarian, and was granted a bonus of £2 10 for the past year. It was decided to limit the number of books to subscribers to four per week, to be returned within a month, after which a fine would be imposed.