WOMEN’S AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 25308, 11 June 1935, Page 12

WOMEN’S AFFAIRS

INSTITUTE MEETINGS DIPTON Miss Stewart presided over a good attendance at the monthly meeting at Dipton when the roll-call, “How can your Institute help your district?” brought forth varied answers, some serious and some amusing. A demonstration on smocking which was given by Mrs McGill was enthusiastically followed, several members attempting the art. Samples of cuddly, woollen toys were also shown. Winners of_ the competitions for the day were: Animal study, Mrs Soper 1, Miss J. O, Callaghan 2, Miss I. McCurdy 3; Best laundered serviette, Mrs E. O’Callaghan 1, Miss M. Finlayson 2, Mrs Adam 3. In response to a letter from the Dipton Domain Board asking the Women’s Institute to assist in building a suitable pavilion, it was decided to make arrangements for a concert later. Members &lso decided to form a correspondence link with an institute in Canada. During _ the social half-hour a competition, “Advertisements,” was won by Miss J. O’Callaghan. The hostesses for the evening were Mrs W. L. Stewart and Miss E. McCurdy. FORTIFICATION. At the monthly meeting at Fortification members gained not a little enjoyment but much education as well from a talk on home nursing given by Mrs Challis, of Invercargill. The answers to the roll-call, “My most treasured possession,” proved that there are other possessions far greater than wordly treasures. The competition, best bunch of chrysanthemums, was won by Mrs Fallow, and after afternoon tea had been served by the hostess for the afternoon, Mrs O’Connor, an interesting letter was read from the overseas link in Winchelsea, England. The motto for the month is “If you are up to your neck in hot water, try to be like the kettle and sing.” KENNINGTON. Mrs Maxwell presided over a fair attendance at the monthly meeting at Kennington. The roll-call, “What I would most like to learn at the institute,” showed that knowledge in any form would be welcome. It was decided to hold a flag 500 evening at the residence of Mrs A. Henderson, who offered it for the occasion. During the afternoon, Mrs Paterson demonstrated to a very interested audience the art of refooting stockings. The competition, “Something new from something old,” resulted as follows:—Mrs Paterson 1, Mrs Cloughley 2, Mrs Burgess 3. LIMEHILLS. There was a good attendance at the monthly meeting at Limehills, when the motto for the month was “Keep us O Lord from pettiness.” A ready response to the roll-call, “What I would do with a legacy of»£500,” was given by members. At this stage, the president, Mrs McNaught, called on Mrs Clapp to make a presentation to the former president, Mrs W. Walker. In handing to Mrs Walker, a crystal rose bowl filled with flowers, Mrs Clapp thanked her for all that she had done for the institute in the past, and expressed the wish that she might be long spared to be a strength and a help to the Limehills Institute. Mrs Clapp’s remarks were endorsed by Mesdames Woods and McNaught and Miss Cowley, and Mrs Walker suitably replied. The president then introduced Mrs Smart of Winton, who gave a most interesting demonstration on papier mache work for which she was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The competitions resulted: Best covered coat hanger, Miss N. Crowe 1, Miss Lepper 2, Mrs H. Doherty 3; bran biscuits, Mrs H. Doherty 1, Mrs H. Cowie 2, Miss E. Crowe 3. It was agreed that the married women outside the committee should be responsible for conducting the next meeting During the social half-hour a lucky cup competition was won by Mrs Pemberton. LONGBUSH. The motto for thg month at Longbush is “Nil desperandum,” and the roll-call, “Ask a riddle.” The competition, best four squares of shortbread, brought forth a pleasing number of entries, the winners being: Mrs Browning 1, Mrs G. Brown 2, Mrs Nelson Hughes 3. A demonstration on humpty making from golden syrup tins, given by Mrs Warnock, was much appreciated by all and a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Warnock for her interesting demonstration. As members are anxious to commence working for a bazaar to be held later in the year, material has been bought and distributed for making into garments and novelties. NIAGARA.

Mrs Ramsay presided over an attendance of twelve at the monthly meeting of the Niagara Women’s Institute. The motto for the month was “Sweep clean before your own door before you clean the doorstep of your neighbour.” The roll call, “My honest opinion of the birthday party,” was answered by all, the general opinion being that it was “good.” A demonstration on the making of paper flowers, given by Mrs Ramsay, was enjoyed by all. One new member was welcomed and after supper the members spent an hour at games and dancing, the musical parcel being won by Miss M. McColgan. Hostesses for the evening were Misses G. Ramsay and M. McColgan and the winners of the competition, best article fTom 1/- worth of material, were: Mrs Ramsay (pair men’s sox) 1, Miss M. Voice (child’s frock and bloomers) 2, Mrs Moss (child’s silk scarf). The public hall at Niagara presented a gay appearance and was the scene of a large gathering when the Niagara Women’s Institute celebrated its first birthday. Representatives from Waikawa W.D.F.U., Fortification Women’s Institute and the Southern Southland Federation of Women’s Institutes were present, also many visitors from the surrounding districts and local residents. The birthday cake, which was made by Mrs J. McColgan, was cut by Mrs Fallow, vice-president of the Southern Southland Federation, who was presented with the first slice. The one candle was lit by Niagara’s junior member, Miss J. Robertson, and extinguished by the vice-president, Mrs Pope. A series of choruses by members was very well received, as also was the playette, “A Quiet Chat,” the characters being Mrs Trott (Mrs Ramsay), Mrs Williams (Miss D. McColgan) Mrs Murphy (Mrs Moss), Miss Holmes (Miss G. Ramsay), and Susan (Miss J. Robertson). A one-act play, “When the Whirlwind Blows,” was given by three members, while a song, “Play to me Gipsy,” sung by Mrs Ashmore, was illustrated by Miss J. Robertson and Miss V. Pope. The presentation of prizes to those who gained most points in competitions held throughout the year was made by the president, Mrs Ramsay, the winners being: Miss H. Voice 1, Mesdames Ballantyne and Moss (equal) 2, Miss J. Robertson 3. After supper a recitation was given by Mrs Brookes, and dancing was then indulged in until the early hours. A lucky spot waltz was won by Miss V. Pope and Mr T. Buckingham. (

NIGHTCAPS. There was a good attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the Nightcaps Women’s Institute, presided over by Mrs Cook. The motto for the month was “Laugh and the world laughs with you,” and the roll-call “Uses of old newspapers.” A sixpenny mystery parcel competition was held, the proceeds from whichr are to be donated to the children’s health camp. The winners were: Mrs Berry 1, Mrs Lobb 2, Miss F. Spence 3. Owing to there being no demonstration, an enjoyable half-hour was spent in dancing, a statue dance being won by Mrs Low and Miss Dockerty, after which supper was served by the hostesses, Mesdames Cook, Burgess, Fordyce and' Misses Purdue and Rushton. OHAI. There was a large attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the Ohai Women’s Institute. Before proceeding with the meeting the president, Mrs Martin, referred to the loss of one of the members, Mrs Kelly, stating that her regular attendance and cheerful nature would be sadly missed. Members stood for a moment’s silence as a mark of respect. Mrs Martin congratulated Mrs Baineaves, a member, and a recipient of the King’s Jubilee Medal. Mrs Baineaves modestly replied. The motto for the month was “Cheerfulness is nature’s umbrella in the storm of life.” The roll-call, “My pet economy,” brought forth useful hints and sometimes humour. The demonstration, “Tinfoil Pictures,” by Mesdames Pophani and Martin, was followed with keen interest and both were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Miss Evans gave an interesting talk on her trip to Samoa, showing snaps taken there. A display of native handcrafts was much admired. The baking competition, six pieces of shortbread, made from a recipe in the Institute Cookery Book, resulted: Mrs Martin 1, Mrs McKenzie 2. Mrs Balneaves judged this section. The handcraft section, a hand-worked handkerchief, brought forth a number of beautifully worked articles. This was judged by popular vote and resulted: Miss P. Wilson 1, Mrs J. W. Martin 2, Mrs McKenzie 3. Mrs Martin gave an interesting and comprehensive report of the recent school for officers conducted by Mrs Kelso in Invercargill and was accorded a vote of thanks. Mrs Wilson’s offer to make the birthday cake was accepted with thanks. OREPUKI. There was a fair attendance at the monthly meeting at Orepuki. The rollcall, “How to waterproof an article,” was fairly well responded to, and the competition, “Fruit squares,” judged by Mrs Noble, resulted: Mrs Morris 1, Miss McAllister 2, Mrs Mempes 3. Miss McAllister was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for preparing six months’ programmes, which are being sold to members to augment the funds. The Rev. Mr Luker attended the meeting and spoke on Palestine. As he had spent four years there the talk proved very interesting, especially that part relating to the old and the new Jerusalem, its people and their mode of living. A hearty vote of thanks was accorder Mr Luker. During the social half-hour, a competition conducted by Mrs Mempes was won by Miss Johnston and Mrs Humble. WAIANIWA. At the monthly meeting of the Waianiwa Women’s Institute Mrs Mason presided over a fair attendance. The motto for the month was “Always be proud enough to be humble,” and the roll-call, “Places I would like to visit, and why.” There were two competitions, “Three oven and three girdle scones” and four lines about the Institute. The baking competition was won by Mrs Hawke with Mrs Hunter second and Mrs Wilson third. The four lines of poetry resulted: Mrs N. McNaughton 1, Mrs C. Mason 2, Miss Powell 3. An interesting talk and demonstration on tapestry was given by Mrs E. K. Mills, of Invercargill, and many beautiful articles were displayed and viewed with admiration. The meeting concluded with a social half-hour during which a solo was sung by Mrs Mills. WAIRIO. There was a good attendance of members at the monthly meeting at Wairio. The roll-call, “What I would do with my life if I could live over again,” was well responded to. The competition for the evening was “A dressed clothes peg,” and resulted: Mts Gardner 1, Mrs Shermap. 2, Mrs Bell 3. Mrs Johnson, of Aparima gave an interesting and detailed travel talk, showing a large collection of photographs and souvenirs of her trip to England. A demonstration on articles made from cellophane paper, given by Miss Pullar, proved most interesting. Miss E. Keen was appointed Home and Country secretary and Miss N. Sherman competition secretary and pianiste. WOODEND. Mrs Robertson presided over a good attendance at the first monthly meeting of the Woodend Women’s Institute. The roll-call, “What our grandmothers did without,” brought forth some amusing answers and the competition, “Best six pikelets,” resulted: Mrs McKerchar 1, Mrs Perkins 2, Mrs Brown 3. A vote of thanks was accorded Miss Bloomfield for her interesting demonstration on pastinella painting which was closely followed by all present.