NORFOLK WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1931, Page 14

NORFOLK WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

FORMATION OF A BRANCH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The opening ceremony in connection with the newly formed, branch of the Women’s Institute was held in the Norfolk school on Wednesday evening. A good number of residents and their families was present. The formation of this branch was due to the efforts of the district organiser, Mrs, Kaye, and Mesdames W. and L. Brown. A strong committee of ladies was set up, and each took upon themselves various duties in order to make’ the opening night a success. The president, Mrs. W. Brown, gave an address on the foundation of the Women’s Institute, and explained its aims and objects. She then called upon several of the oldest residents and past •residents’ who had 'been invited to be present, to give their experiences of the early history of the Norfolk Road district. ”.

Interesting happenings and exciting episodes were told about the times when .the first settlers came to reside in the midst of virgin bush early in 1875. Several recalled hard times and struggles for existence until they were able to fell the bush and work their holdings of land. Others spoke of the terms and conditions under which land was taken up from the Government, how they had to carry on without monetary assistance, and how later on employment was found by working on road formation and with survey parties. A Amongst the speakers were Mr. Bert Lawrence, Mr. H. Trimble, Mr, A. Marshall, Mr. W. C’orney, Mr. G. Ackland, Miss N. Trimble, Mrs. Egarr and Mrs. Hunter, and their little speeches whiled away the evening all too soon. Many old photographs and pictures of the pioneering days were exhibited and depicted great contrasts to present-day conditions.

A song, “The Little Brown Jug,” by the 'basketball girls and . recitation, “The Groom’s Story,” by Mr*. C. Adname, were capably rendered. The evening concluded with supper, the committee acting as hostesses. Considering the branch is In its infancy there has been a large enrolment of members and this bids fair to make the branch a successful adjunct of the Women’s Institute.