WOMEN’S DIVISION

Southland Times, Issue 23815, 12 May 1939, Page 14

WOMEN’S DIVISION

SOUTHLAND EXECUTIVE At the meeting of the Southland executive of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union a motion of sympathy was passed to the relations of the late Mrs D. McDonald, of Dipton, who had been president of the branch since the formation, the members standing in silence. Sympathy was also expressed with Mesdames T. S. Smith and R. Russell, in their illnesses. A letter from headquarters containing a suggestion from the Canterbury Agricultural College that Lincoln College offer facilities for the training of women students of ages from 18 years upwards, received the full support of the meeting. The proposed course would embrace domestic science, general biology, horticulture, and so on. A letter was to be sent to the Canterbury Agricultural College congratulating them on their proposal. A talk to be broadcast from Station 4YZ on May 23 was left in the hands or Mrs W. Orr to arrange.

The following nominations for provincial vice-presidents were received, six being the number required: Mesdames J. Dennis (Waikaia), F. Harrison (Tuatapere), A. H. Munro (Mokotua), J. McKinnel (Gore), E. Rabbidge (Wyndham), W. A. Robertson (Waikiwi), E. K. Sim (Pukemaori), Miss H. L. Hunt (Riverton), Miss M. L. Liddell (Balfour). “This branch considers that £1 a week is too much at which to assess home helpers’ and nurses’ board, when men working on farms are only assessed at 15/- a week,” was . a remit from the Lumsden branch which was carried. A recommendation also from Lumsden branch, “that in view of the world situation all branches should have one or two lectures a year by experts in first aid, as taught by St. John. Ambulance,” was approved. A remit from Balfour, that the Government or the Railways Department be approached to urge the necessity of hastening the promised rail-cars to take passengers and children to secondary schools,” was carried.

LUMSDEN The tenth annual meeting of the Lumsden branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall when Mrs Russell presided over a big gathering of members representing Lumsden, Mossburn, Castlerock and Five Rivers districts. The secretary submitted the following report of the branch: “During the past year we have maintained steady progress, our roll membership now being 96. Twelve general meetings and two special meetings have been held with a good attendance at each meeting and the various competitions and roll calls have met with a good response. Visits were made to Castlerock, Five Rivers and Mossbum and were well attended, as also were the birthday party and annual social. Mrs Wickham (the Dominion president) paid the branch a visit in March and gave an outline of work done throughout the Dominion, representatives and Farmers’ Union members being present from all parts of the district. The branch was again represented at the Girls’ Educational Week, Country Women’s Week and also at the Dominion conference.

The treasurer’s report on the year’s work showed the finances of the branch to be in a sound condition. In moving the adoption of the balancesheet the president expressed her appreciation )f the support given her by the officers and members of the branch during her term of office and' to all who had assisted during the year. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mrs Latham; secretary, Mrs Upchurch; treasurer, Mrs Hamilton; vice-presidents, Mrs _W. Young (Mossburn), Mrs W. Cunningham (Five Rivers), Mrs R. Allen (Castlerock), Mrs Campbell, Mrs N, Crosbie (Lumsden); social committee, Mesdames Milburn, Dawson, J. Patterson, Nelson, K. Allen, McKenna, Ward, Jamieson, Miss Gibson and all officers; auditor, Mrs Clouston; competitions: Mrs T. Soper; housekeeping members, Mesdames Ward and Hamilton.

Competitions for the year resulted: Fancy work, Mrs Clouston 1, Mrs Russell 2. Best Bloom, Mrs Russell 1, Mrs K. Allen 2. General, Mrs Latham 1, Mrs IL. Allen 2.

TUTURAU The annual meeting of the Tuturau branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held recently, Mrs F. Mitchell presiding over a good attendance of members. The annual report stated: The birthday party was held on May 12, 1938, taking the form of a mock wedding. Nine meetings were held throughout the year, two of them being in charge of the junior members. Demonstrations were given by the following: Mrs Christie (wreath making), Miss Brown (triple embroidery), Misses Folster (hair-pin work), Mrs Drysdale (woollen mats) and Miss N. Ross (woollen cushions). An interesting talk on her trip to Australia was given by Miss Alice Dickie, and a gardening talk was given by Mr J. J. Griffiths. Misses D. Mitchell and G. Ward reported on the girls’ educational week, while Mrs Mitchell reported on the women’s educational week. In November a picnic was held for the children. Twelve of the members took a term of dress making under the tuition of Miss Georges. A prize, presented by a friend of the branch, for most points was won by Miss Folster in the senior section and by Miss Doris Mitchell in the junior section.

The election of officers resulted:— President, Mrs F. Mitchell; vice-presi-

dents, Mesdames C. L. Humphries and A. Christie; secretary, Mrs N. R. Marshall; treasurer, Mrs L. G. Townsend; advisory members, Mesdames Craig and Marshall.

DRUMMOND The Drummond Branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union held its monthly meeting in the hall recently. Mrs Kincaid presided over a good attendance. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mrs D. Brown in her long illness. It was decided to have mystery parcels to the value of 17- for the June meeting. The secretary reported on the executive meeting in Invercargill. Arrangements were made to sew up squares for quilts at the secretary s residence on the evening of May 24. The president presented Mrs R. Laughton with a gift on behalf of her fellow members on the occasion of her recent marriage. Mrs Laughton replied. , , . Points for best bloom were won by Mrs W. Woodhead, jun., with Mrs W. Woodhead, sen., second. A bring-and-buy sale resulted in the sum of £6/14/6 being raised. Hostesses were Mesdames J. Kmcaid, R. Hallum, R. Wakeling and G. Lindsay.