WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Taranaki Daily News, 10 October 1934, Page 12

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

MEETINGS IN TARANAKI TAIPOROHENUI FIRST BIRTHDAY. TYPICALLY MAORI CELEBRATION. Mrs. S. Panenui, president, of the Tai- ■ pOrdhenui Maori Womens Institute, ’ greeted the large gathering' at the Tdi- ; porohenui Maori -hall on Friday evening. Among the visitors were the Mayor of ■ Hawera, Mr. J. E. Campbell, and Mrs. . Campbell, Mrs. W. Kaye, Inglewood, president of the Taranaki Federation of Women’s Institutes, Mrs. G. Eaton, RiSsington, Hawkes Bay, and representatives of women’s institutes and other bodies. Each guest, welcomed personally by Mrs. Panenui, entered a hall gay with an effective decorative scheme of greenery and blue and gold streamers, the institute’s colours, carried out by Mr. Heru Williams. At one end of the hall a concert programme arranged by Messrs. S. Panenui and H. Toka was given. There were several poLi, hakas and choruses, and also vocal and instrumental solos and duets. Accompaniments were played by the Taiporohenui String Orchestra and Mr. Toka. The choruses, which were interpreted with true Maori vigour, were “Hui Mai, Tenei anp Matou,” “Haere tnai Tainui,” “Tiima Ruru” and “E Pari Ra.” The programme commenced with the institute song and prayer led by Mr. Toka. The singers were Mrs. Wanairangi Toka, Miss K. Reid, Messrs. Toka and J. Anaru. Mr. and Mrs. Toka sang duets, and Mr. Toka played a steel guitar solo. The pois performed by the girls were a poi to music , a long string poi and a combination of long and short string pois. They also gave a clever dish band item. Two rousing hakas were given by the men, and a hula and poi impersonation by Mr. J. Whanau. AU the performers wore picturesque native costume and ornaments, and the items were enthusiastically received. After a few dances supper was served in the dining hall, decorated with greenery and with branches of kowhai, the institute flower, around the centre post. Novelties on the table were flax baskets containing cakes and sandwiches, and a woven flax pare or head-band for each guest. Mrs. Panenui presided, and before her was the birthday cake made and iced by Mrs. W. Adams, Hawera. On its top was a Maori meeting house of icing sugar surmounted by one candle. There were three sittings of supper, and in the main hall during the later sittings a short concert programme was provided by Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Allwright (songs), Miss Jean McAsey (tap dance) and Mr. S. Hintz (marimba xylophone solos). An amusing haka was given by Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Spragg and Mr. and Mrs. Allwright. Accompaniments were played by Mrs. Antoni Bonetti. When everyone had to the main hall, Mrs. Panenui thanked Mrs. Adams for the cake and asked her to light the candle. Mrs. N. Govenor bl€w the candle out and Mrs. Panenui cut the cake, which was distributed. The first year’s report presented by the secretary, Mrs, Govenor, stated that from 11 members the number had grown to 21. They had held four committee meetings, and also seven successful social funettions to raise funds. Demonstrations were given by Mesdames A. Stevens, R. Campbell, H. Lovell, W. Adams, H. Toka, Fowler and Miss D. Blake, and a travel talk by Miss D. Corrigan. A. large variety of useful competitions had been held at the ten general meetings. Two delegates had attended the half-yearly conference at Inglewood and one the Dominion conference. Greetings from the town of Hawera were expressed by Mr. Campbell, who congratulated the institute on the year’s work. Both Mrs. Campbell and he were happy to be associated with anything that was for the benefit of the Maori race, and the institute did much to give a better understanding between Maori and pakeha. In their association with the pakeha, he hoped that the Maoris would not forget their own wonderful arts, crafts and traditions. He wished the institute future prosperity. Congratulations and best wishes on benalf of the Taranaki Federation were offered by Mrs. Kaye. The goodwill and friendliness which existed should be an inspiration'to all to unite to help others, whether Maori or pakeha. Thanks to Miss D. Corrigan, the founder of the Taiporohenui Institute, were expressed by Mrs. Panenui. In reply Miss Corrigan said the institutes were the means not only of bringing country women together but of cementing a friendship between the two races. Birthday greetings from other institutes were expressed by Mesdames Eaton (Rissington), W. R. Shaw (Turi-town), A. Tidswell (Tawhiti), Rakena (Okaiawa J Maori), I. Bloor (Te Roti), J. Ninhinnick ' (Ketemarae Maori) W. H. James (Turu-, turu), S. G. Larcom (Whareroa), A. i Morse (Normanby), Tombleson (Ohawe). Mrs. W. W. Nicholas voiced greetings from the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. Mrs. Panenui returned thanks to the speakers and to all who had assisted. Bouquets were presented to Mrs. Panenui from the I e Roti and Tawhiti institutes and from her own institute by Miss Mary Turu, to Mrs. Campbell by Miss W. Panenui, to Mrs. Govenor by Mrs. M. R. Jones, to Miss D. Corrigan by Mrs. J. Bishaw, and to Mrs. Adams. Dancing was continued to music by the Taiporohenui Maori String Orchestra. A competition for a piu piu was won by Miss D. Swadling.

Mangatoki: There was a large attendance at the monthly meeting of the Mangatoki Institute on Wednesday. Mrs.

A. E. Mahon presided for the conduct of the routine business and Miss Rita Nicholas for the junior members’ programme. Miss E. Beech acted as secretary for Miss, E. Gatenby, who was indisposed. Delegates to the federation meeting were given a free hand. It. was decided to have again the potato growing competition but each would provide her own seed. Mrs. Wood, Rawhitiroa, demonstrated articles made from old rubber. An attractive and useful variety was displayed. The junior members made a roll call and each married member had to state “Where I met my husband.” Musical items were given by Misses N. Ashbury and D. Nicholas (vocal duet), Miss V. Beech (piano solo). There were over 30 entries in the ’ covered coat hanger’s competition. The ’ judges, Mrs. Wood and Miss Gould, ’ placed Miss P. Parker first, Miss O. Boot- ■ ten second and Mrs. J. R. M. Steward j third. The junior members, Misses Rita ' Nicholas, E. Beech and I. Carlson, were the hostesses. Okaiawa: The monthly meeting of the Okaiawa Institute was held on Friday, Mrs. Good presiding over a good attendance. Two Normanby Institute members, Mrs. and Miss Allan were present. The competition for the afternoon, most articles in a matchbox, was won by Miss Eva Cameron with Mrs. McCallum secondhand Miss F. Sutherland third. ‘ Mrs. Kaye, president of the Taranaki Federation gave an address. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs. Blair and Miss D. Smillie. Rawhitiroa: Last Friday was the first birthday of the Rawhitiroa Institute. To celebrate it the members held a social evening in the hall and it was an outstanding success. Mr. Bridger, on behalf of Mrs. Bridger, gave a short address. Mrs. Bridger also spoke. The president, Mrs. H. Belcher, welcomed the visitors. An exhibition of work done by members created much interest, many useful articles being exhibited, showing the interest the members take in the institute. The birthday cake made and ; iced by Mrs. Bootten was cut by Mrs. I Belcher, Mrs. Bridger lighting the candle. Songs were sung by Mesdames Scott, Rankin, and Mace and Mr. F. Silver. Miss Spence gave a number of humorous recitations. A short sketch written and produced by Mr. E. G. Smith, entitled “Aren’t Women Funny,” , caused much amusement. The principal parts were taken by Mrs. H. Belcher, Miss G. Silver and Miss I. Bleakley and Mrs. Silver. Competitions were won as follows: Peanut race, Mr. R. Bleakley; advertisement guessing, Mrs. Langston; men’s ankle competition, Mr. Beech; men’s hat trimming, Mr. L. O’Sonnor. i