APPRECIATION OF SERVICE

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1934, Page 12

APPRECIATION OF SERVICE

MRS. R. F. PAGE FAREWELLED. HAWERA CLUB PRESENTATION. Over 70 members of the Hawera Women’s Club assembled on Tuesday evening in honour of Mrs. R. F. Page, who has been organising secretary of the club since its inception four years ago and who is leaving Hawera for Wellington. Musical and elocutionary were provided. In recognition or ner services to the club Mrs. Page was announced a life member. In wishing Mrs. Page happiness and success the president, Mrs. W. O’Callaghan, referred to the splendid work Mrs. Page had done for the club. She said that the club really came into existence mainly through Mrs. Page’s enthusiasm and belief that a women’s club at Hawera would justify its existence as a means of social intercourse and a medium for the cultivation of the various forms of art. The club had fulfilled all and more than ever its promoters could have thought possible. On behalf of the members of the club she presented Mrs. Page with a cheque, with which went the good wishes of all concerned. Mrs. Page in reply thanked the president for the pleasant things she had said. She herself did not by any means believe that her own part in the foundation of the club hqd been as important as the president had said, but what she had done had given her the greatest pleasure and she wished the club continued success and that it would always hold a high place in the life of the community. Mrs. Page briefly referred to her recent visit to Dunedin, where she attended the conference .of women’s clubs as the delegate of the Hawera Club. Of the 22 federated clubs of the Dominion delegates from 17 attended, and matters of special interest to club women were discussed. “The Hawera Women’s Club,” said Mrs. Page, “was the only club singled out in Lady Lindo Fergusson’s presidential address. Lady Fergusson had spoken enthusiastically of the splendid arts and crafts exhibition which had been entered by the club at the South Taranaki winter show, when many clubs in the Dominion had assisted the display by sending in specimens of their hand-craft, paintings, etc.” Mrs. Page said that the general impression she had gained from the conference was that members‘of the .arious clubs of the Dominion, and more particularly in the larger centres, were endeavouring to make themselves informed on the social and economic questions of the day, thus fitting themselves to play an important part in the remedial measures which might be used to counteract the evils of our present social and economic conditions. She specially mentioned the study of the Factory Act, governing the employment of women and young people, and the domestic and scientific education of girls in the concluding two years of their school lives. Mrs. Page’s remarks were listened to with interest and at their conclusion all present joined in singing “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The president presented Mrs. Page with bouquets, expressing good wishes from the committee, one from the members of the gardening circle and a posy of multicoloured berries from Mrs. A. G. Bennett (Manaia), who was unable to be present. A presentation was also made to Miss Anne Page from club members as some recognition of her many services to the club.