WOMEN’S DIVISION

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1934, Page 6 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S DIVISION

Inglewood: The Inglewood branch held its annual meeting on Wednesday afternoon. An invitation to the Mangamahoe branch’s first birthday party was accepted. The president gave a resume of the year’s activities and stated that interest had been well maintained. Ten meetings had been held in the Parish Hall. During the year the branch had been represented at all provincial and special meetings, the birthday parties of numerous branches. Mrs. Grofski had recently been appointed book club officer to assist the president. In June the annual euchre party and dance had been held but, owing to counter attractions, the attendance had not been as great as previously. However, a profit of £2 15s had been made. Appreciation of the Inglewood Farmers’ Union’s donation of £5 was expressed. An annual visit ' had been paid to Mr. E. Wright’s poultry farm on Windsor Road. During the year interesting addresses had been delivered upon subjects of interest to women and demonstrations of useful arts and crafts had been made. Competitions of late had not been popular but no doubt this was due to the fact that business and welfare work had been a major part of operations. On Christmas Eve the branch had again assisted the Inglewood Chamber of Commerce with Christmas tree arrangements. Instead of having a large party and display of work for the birthday this year the branch had decided to hold a picnic at Everett Park and which proved most enjoyable. Three housekeepers were employed through the branch during the year and all proved satisfactory. New branches for its North Taranaki Pro-j vincial Executive had been formed. Financial membership had decreased slightly since last annual meeting. The books had been audited and found correst and the treasurer had prepared a balance-sheet which showed a credit of £2 19s. Before the election of officers Dorothy Winter presented the retiring president with a Victorian posy. Dorothy and Master Stuart Bennett also made similar gifts to the secretary and treasurer. Mrs. Grofski asked Mrs. Marsh to reconsider her decision to resign and presented her with a leather nandbag as a token of the esteem in which she was held by members; Mrs. Marsh responded. The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs. Marsh; secretary, Mrs. Moir; treasurer, Miss McMahon; committee, Mesdames Keegan, Chard and Mounsey; branch hostess, Mrs. Allen; book club officer, Mrs. Grofski; plant exchange officer, Mrs. Gee. In addition Mesdames Winter, Bennett, Klenner, Dodunski and Weston were appointed vice-presidents. Cardiff: The monthly meeting of the Cardiff branch was held on Thursday. After the business of the meeting had concluded Mrs. Brunton, on behalf of members, presented Mrs. Brown, who will' shortly leave the district, with a bouquet and wished her every happiness in her new home. Mrs. Brown replied. A competition for the best darned stocking was won by Mrs. Myers, with Mrs. Brunton second and Mrs. -Fox third. The hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames Brunton, Huckstep and R. Smith. The dance organised by the Women’s Division on the occasion of its first birthday, proved a successful function. Mr. H. Marchant, president of the local branch of the Farmers’ Union, congratulated the division on its successful year. Mrs. D. Brunton and Mrs. M. T. Phillips, of the Stratford branch, also spoke. The concert programme comprised items by Mrs. Davis, Miss Gadsby, Messrs. P. Hom, A. O’Sullivan and H. Gordon and Hall. Hooker’s orchestra supplied the music. Mr. A. O’Sullivan was master of ceremotaies.

Oakura: The report presented at the annual meeting recorded a year of satisfactory achievement. The members continued to take a real interest in all that concerned the Women’s Division. Garments were prepared for a family in the district. A quilt was presented to the New Plymouth branch and another to the Plunket funds. Two new efforts had been made since July, the monthly sales table, for the benefit of 'both branch and members, and an exhibition of work, shown at the brarich birthday party. The birthday party was well attended. The branch held a fancy fair to raise funds for domestic use, with a fair measure of success. Links with other organisations were a concert and dance arranged on behalf of the Plunket Society, by which £3 was raised, and a social to introduce Miss M. Greenwell and Mr. J. H. Ledgerwood, of the Y.W.-Y.M.C.A. This resulted in the inauguration of a branch of the organisation at Oakura, the first rural work undertaken in New Zealand. The president attended provincial executive meetings, the Dominion conference and the National Council of Women’s conference, where as a delegate from New Plymouth she represented the division. Small donations were sent by the branch to the Flock House funds, and to the fund for a memento to be presented to Mrs. Jackson. The number of new members during the past year was four. Officers elected were: President, Mrs. Harris; secretary, Mrs. Tills; vice-presi-dents, Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Cochran; delegate to conference, Mrs. Beale; delegate to National Council, Mrs. Harris; advisory members, Mrs. McGregor and Mrs. Wilkins; auditor, Mrs. Harris.

Hillsborough: On April 24 a Mrs Marsh, the honorary organiser and president of North Taranaki provincial executive, addressed a good attendance on the aims and objects of the division. It was unanimously decided to form a branch of the division to be known as the Hillsborough branch. The election of officers reseulted as follows: President, Mrs E. J. Bishop; honorary' secretary, Mrs Bishop; vice-presidents. Mesdames A. Anderson and R. H. Goodrick: committee, Mesdames P. Hood, Nicholls and Miss L. Sampson. It was decided to hold meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 1.30 p.m. After afternoon tea was served a vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Marsh.

Ohangai: The annual meeting of the Ohangai branch was held on Tuesday. Mrs Meuli, organiser for South Taranaki, presided. Mrs Robertson, senior vice-president thanked Mesdames Williams, Frahm and J. Kerrisk for their work during the year. The annual report stated that the year had been a busy one and had closed with a credit balance of about £7. Numerous demonstrations had been given of useful crafts and lectures had been given by Miss Corrigan, on continental travels, and byMrs O'Callaghan on gardening. The branch had taken part in the Hawera winter show exhibit, and also in the Egmont A. and P. show, where one member had gained a prize in the home-made rug class. The secretary had been busy helping the country candidate in the Hawera carnival, for whom two entertainments had been held in the district, and about £3 raised. Mrs Frahm then presented the statement of accounts, which showed that the branch had began the year with a credit balance of £8 4s Id. The chief items of expenditure were Flock House, community chest and Red Cross donations. A cake, made by Mrs Frahm, brought in £2 8s to the funds, and z a bring and buy afternoon 16s 3d. The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs G. W. Williams; vice-presidents, Mesdames Robertson, Elmes, Wallace, Dyson and Dalton; secretary, Mrs John Kerrisk; treasurer, Mrs J. Kerrisk, junr.; advisory member, Mrs Elmes; social committee, Mesdames Tidswell, Dyson, Thompson, Misses O’Shea and Elmes; auditor, Mr E. K. Cameron; correspondent to New Zealand Countrywoman, . Miss Elmes. A competition for the children collecting the greatest number of white

butterflies was won by Melva Trilford (Ohangai) S,SSI, and J. Davidson (Meremere) 4,950. It was decided tn. hold meetings alternately' at MeremeJt and Ohangai. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses. Mesdames John Kerrisk jnr., Kerrisk, and Miss O'Shea.