WOMEN’S DIVISION

Southland Times, Issue 23922, 14 September 1939, Page 3

WOMEN’S DIVISION

QUEENSTOWN BRANCH

The monthly meeting of the Queenstown branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Plunket Rooms, when there was a fair attendance. Mrs J. B. Hamilton presided. The roll call, “A schoolboy howler, produced some amusing stories. The competitions were a plain cream sponge and the most articles in an ordinary match-box. In the former competition Mrs W. Forsythe was first and Miss M. Bagrie second. Mrs W. Mclnnes, with 70 articles, won the second competition, and Mrs P. Hansen, with 69, was second. It was decided to rend £5 to the community chest fund. Mrs Rankin gave an interesting reading of a translation from the AngloSaxon of “The Passing of Chad’’ and extracts from Tennyson. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Rankin. It was decided to invite Mr B. P. Mansfield, of Invercargill, to speak on 1 gardening at the next meeting. ORAWIA BRANCH The monthly meeting of the Orawia branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Pukemaori Hall. Mrs Froude presided over a fair attendance. An appeal from New Zealand lepers on Makogai Island was received, and members all made a contribution. An interesting and comprehensive report of the women’s educational week was given by Mrs Todd. Mrs Sim spoke on the executive meeting held in Invercargill. Competition results for the afternoon were:—Ginger nuts, Mrs Williams 1, Mrs Froude 2, Miss Hazel Tomlinson 3; best bloom, Mrs Carr 1 and 3, Miss N. Blomfield 2. HEDGEHOPE BRANCH The ’ Hedgehope branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union fittingly celebrated its ninth birthday. The party took the form of a social and dance. The nine candles decorating the birthday cake were lit by the youngest member, Miss I. Rance, and extinguished by the senior member, Mrs H. Leebody. * During the evening dancing was enjoyed and several enjoyable items were given, namely: Solos by Mrs R. Ker, and a step-dance by Miss Bishop, Mataura. A humorous playette, “Rhyming,” was presented by Mrs P. Barber, and Misses K. Mackay, W. McKay and O. Sanderson. The visitors included Mrs A. Adamson (Tussock Cerek), Mrs Hocking (Mataura), Mrs Cook (Wyndham), Mrs Dryden (Waitane) and Mrs McNaughton (Thombury). Competitions held during the evening resulted as follows:—Lucky spot, Mr and Mrs Don Diamond; statue dance, Mr and Mrs Peter Barber; first-on-the-floor, Miss C. Leebody and Mr lan Kempthorne; Monte Carlo, Miss L. Stewart and Mr F. Crawford. Messrs J. Sanderson and W. Mcßae were masters of ceremonies.

The September meeting of the branch was very well attended and was presided over by the president, Mrs J. Sanderson.

It was decided to support the annual leper fund appeal. During the afternoon a salad set was presented to Mrs J. Dempster, who was recently married. Mrs Dempster has always been a most enthusiastic and valued member of the institute and the president stated, on behalf of the members, that her co-operation would be missed.

RIMU BRANCH The monthly meeting of the Rimu branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the hall. Mrs W. Emerson presided. The competitions for the afternoon resulted: Best ironed shirt without collar, Miss T. Stewart 1, Miss Jessie Stewart 2; nut loaf, Miss T. Stewart 1, Mrs Little 2; best bloom, Mrs Shand 1, Mrs Little 2. The roll call, “farmyard noise,” brought a good response. The hostesses were Mesdames t W. Stewart and W. Emerson. MORTON MAINS BRANCH The Morton Mains branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union held its ninth birthday in the hall during the week. In spite of unfavourable weather and petrol restrictions, quite a number of visitors were present from other branches. Items were given by the following: Songs, Mrs Ritchie, Mrs Edie, Misses Jean Sutherland and E. Sheat; piano-

forte duet, Misses E. and D. Sheat; recitation, Mrs J. B. Falconer. Competitions were won by Mesdames McNally, Sutherland and Officer. Miss Emerson (Rimu) was the holder of the lucky cup. The cake, which was made and decorated by the president, Mrs Jefferis, was then brought in and the candles were lit by Mrs A. Sheat, a foundation member, and the cake cut by Mrs Blackmore, the first president of the branch.

Congratulations were extended to the branch by Mrs Henderson (Woodlands), Mrs McKenzie (Edendale) and Mrs Emerson (Rimu). A vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Jefferis by Mrs Robertson. The hostesses were Mesdames Fleming, Smith and Sheat.