WOMEN’S DIVISION

Southland Times, Issue 23795, 18 April 1939, Page 5

WOMEN’S DIVISION

OTAUTAU BRANCH There was a small attendance at the monthly meeting of the Otautau branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers Union. Mrs H. McLeod presided. Motions of sympathy with the members of the Dipton branch in the death of their president, Mrs McDonald, and with a member of the branch in her' illness were passed. It was decided to have a competition for four girdle scones in May. Arrangements were rnade for the 500 card evening on April 20. ( The competitions resulted as follows Single bloom, Mrs A. Chilton 1, Mrs J. T. Ryan 2, Mrs J. Campbell 3. Vase of flowers, Mrs J. T. Ryan 1, Mrs C. Ryan 2, Mrs A. Chilton 3. , At the annual meeting, which was held subsequently, the president reported on the activities of the branch since she took over her duties in August because of the removal from the district of Mrs A. W. Moore. She had attended three provincial executive meetings in Invercargill, the Dominion president, Mrs Wickham, being present at the l ast one, Mrs Orr, provincial president, addressing the members at the February meeting. Miss Muirhead stated she had started short talks among members with a view to encouraging adult education, and these would be continued through the coming year. She also thanked the vice-president and committee for their help and co-operation, and especially the secretary, Mrs H. Hogg, for the good work she had done. The members weie grateful to those who had given lectures and demonstrations and to Mr H. Gazzard for judging the flower competitions throughout the year. The secretary reported that they had come to the end of their ninth year, which had been very successful, The monthly and committee meetings had been well attended. The branch had now 97 senior members, and nine junior members. Twelve new members had been welcomed during the year, four were transferred to other branches and three resigned because of removal from the district. Miss Muirhead had officiated capably as president since the transfer of Mrs Moore. The executive meetings in Invercargill had been attended by the president and secretary, Mesdames Smellie and Black. T" e exchange table, under Mesdames Muirhead and Kennedy, had not been well patronized, only 2/11 commission being derived from the branch from this service. Thanks were due to Mesdames A. Milne and J. C. Black for acting as

reporters and to Mrs McCulloch for auditing the books. Tile flower competitions had again beer, t popular. The members were grateful to Mr Gazzard for acting as judge each month, and to Mr Laing for providing hot water tor •tea each month. A brin g and buy fan in July, in conjunction wi th the Nursing Committee, had supplemented the funds, enabling them to send do nations to the ministering and general funds of the Invercargill executive and also assist other worthy objects. Thnb ball in July was very successful, as was also the birthday social in August, visitors being present from all of the neighbouring branches. Two card e venings held during the year were well; attended. The picnic at Redfern in Marcin aftei being postponed from January, was an enjoyable function, although the attendance was smaller than usual. The reports were adopted. Officers were elected ;ss follows.— President, Miss B. Muirhead (re-elect-ed); vice-presidents, Mesdames Chilton,’ H. McLeod, Smellie and H. D. Collie; secretary, Mrs H. Hogg (re-elected); treasurer, Miss Reay Campbell, committee, Mesdames R. Hishon, R. James, J. C. Black, C. Ryan, P. Mackenzie, R. Smart, R. Sheddan, D. Sheddan, G. R. McMullan, J. Kennedy, J. Muirhead, A. C. White, A. Edwards, D. Mitchell and Miss Beggs; advisory members, the president and secretary; delegates to provincial executive, the president, secretary, Mesdames R. James and A. Chilton; Press reporters, Mesdames J. C. Black and A. Edwards; exchange table, Mesdames J. Muirhead and J. Kennedy; bloom competition, Miss Alys Chilton; open competition, Miss K. Snnellie. Mrs Smellie presented the most points priz es for the year as follows: Single bloom, Mrs A. Chilton (18 points) 1, Mrs J. Kennedy (16) 2, Miss Reay Campbell (9) 3. Vase of flowers, Mrs A. Chilton (18) 1, Miss Reay Campbell (12) 2, Mrs J. Kennedy (10) 3. Open competition, Mrs A. Chilton (11) 1, Mis J. C. Blacik (8) 2, Mrs R. Milne (7) 3. ORAWIA BRANCH The annu al meeting of the Orawia branch of th e Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was presided over by Mrs A. Brown. There was a small attendance. The bloom competition for the year was won by Mrs D. Young •with Miss Glyr.vn second. Most points in the monthly competitions was won bv Mrs D. Mactribbon. The report aitd balance-sheet was read and it showed a very successful year’s work with a credit balance of £9 1/11. It war, decided to hold a concert and dance in the Orawia hall

to celebrate the sixth birthday of the branch. !

The competition for the next meeting at Pukemaori on May 1 will be for the biggest carrot. /