WOMEN’S DIVISION

Southland Times, Issue 23947, 13 October 1939, Page 12

WOMEN’S DIVISION

LUMSDEN BRANCH A meeting of the Lumsden branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers Union was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Mrs E. Latham presiding over a good attendance of members. Reports were received from delegates to the Centennial Tree-Planting Committee and from members elected to the accommodation committee of the emergency precaution scheme. The roll call, “A review of a book I have read,” met with a good response. Mrs W. H. Ward reported that a branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union had been formed in Mossburn and that an invitation was received to an afternoon at Five Rivers at the inauguration of a branch in that district.

Mrs R. Allan (Castlerock) gave a demonstration of boning and stripping a shoulder of mutton.

HOKONUI BRANCH At the monthly meeting of the Hokonui branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union there was a good attendance. Mrs H. Anderson presided. A paper was read about helping different organizations in Red Cross work, should it become necessary. An invitation was received from the Otapiri Junior Homemakers’ Club to an afternoon on November 7. A musical competition was won by Mrs W. Sims. Miss McKenzie sang a song in Gaelic. Competitions resulted:—Best stalk of rhubarb, Miss M. Paterson 1, Miss G. Paterson 2. Best bloom, Mrs McLeod 1, Mrs R. Mcßae 2. The roll call was “What you would like for Christmas.’/ The hostesses for the afternoon were Misses M. Paterson and Smith. The competition for the November meeting will be best lettuce and shortbread. FAIRFAX BRANCH The monthly meeting of the Fairfax branch of the Women’s Divison of the Farmers’ Union was held in the hall, Mrs Mclntosh presiding over a fair attendance of members. _ The provincial president’s message about Red Cross work was read, and it was decided to try and arrange a first-aid lecture for next meeting. The roll call “a spring cleaning hint” was very instructive. The president gave a demonstration on the covering of coat hangers with silk crochet. Competition results were: Half dozen heaviest hen eggs, Mrs Carmichael 1, 'Mrs Darragh 2, Mrs Fleck 3. Flowers, Mrs Brown 1, Mrs Darragh 2, Mrs Grey 3. HEDDON BUSH BRANCH At the monthly meeting of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union Mrs Montgomery presided over a fair attendance of members. . The president welcomed Mrs A. F. Ridd, a new member. The president read a circular received from the Dominion executive in Wellington, asking all branches to carry on as usual, and to prepare a list of all members willing to take care of children, invalids and elderly persons in case of emergency. Mrs R. L. Andrews gave a report on the country women’s week. Mrs H. Keown was the winner of the evening competition. Competitions: Best bloom, Mrs R. L. Andrews 1, Miss G. Clark 2, Mrs T. Horner 3. Heaviest hen eggs, Mrs W. Mathieson 1, Mrs Andrews 2, Mrs G. Clark 3. The return match of a euchre party between the South Hillend branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union and the Heddon Bush branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Heddon Bush hall. The winners for the evening were: Women, Miss V. Hazlett 1, Mrs G; Mathieson 2; men, Mr F. Cody 1, Mr W. Boyl, jun. 2. Heddon Bush 312 - games, South Hillend 277| games. MAKAREWA BRANCH The monthly meeting of the Makarewa branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was well attended. Mrs McClean presided. The roll call, “farm noises,” caused much amusement. A collection among members for the Makogai leper fund realized 13/6. Competitions resulted: Bowl of spring flowers, Mrs Kidd 1, Mrs Burns 2. Knitted article, Miss D. McDougall 1, Mrs Kidd 2, Mrs Clark 3. Miss M. T. Crofts, Invercargill, gave an interesting travel talk. The hostesses were Mesdames McMillan and E. Mortimer. EDENDALE BRANCH There was a good' attendance of members and visitors at the monthly meeting of the Edendale branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. Mrs F. McKenzie presided. The roll call was “the best recipe for dinner when the meat runs out.”

A special circular was received from, the Dominion executive asking branches to prepare a register of all members willing to help in a war-time emergency. Members were asked to state their qualifications for the work they could do, such as nursing, cooking, motor-driving, caring for children, old people and invalids, and so on. It was decided to make a register as suggested. Mrs Stanley Brown, Invercargill, gave a short talk on the aims and objects of the Pan-Pacific Women’s Association. Miss L. M. Story, who has been appointed physical welfare officer for Southland, under the Department of Internal Affairs, gave an outline of the work she hoped to accomplish, as well as an account of the keep-fit campaign foi- women of all ages in England.

On the motion of Mrs T. Dickson, a vote of thanks was accorded both speakers. Mesdames F. Brown and Robertson gave a short talk on the programme that had been arranged for the recent Country Women’s Week in Invercargill. First aid' and home nursing classes were started on September 9, with Dr Woodhouse, Mataura, as. lecturer. A small committee, comprising Mesdames W. Irvine, sen., G. Dickson and T. Scoular (secretary), was formed. The class numbers 38.

Competitions resulted as follows:— Best daffodil, Miss A. Pow 1, Mesdames Geddes and Pow (equal) 2, Miss R. Dobbie 3. Sponge roll, Mrs Morris 1, Mrs D. Caldwell 2, Miss Tither 3. OTERAMIKA BRANCH The monthly meeting of the Otera-. mika branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Oteramika hall. Mrs King presided over a good attendance of members. Mr McAlpine gave ar. instructive address on first aid.

A vote of thanks to Mr McAlpine was carried by acclamation. Fortnightly meetings on first aid under the guidance of Mr McAlpine will be held in the Oteramika hall. Competitions resulted: —Daffodil, Mrs McNaughton 1, Mrs King 2. Article,, made from 501 b flour bag, Mrs McAlpine 1, Miss King 2,’