WOMEN’S DIVISION

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1935, Page 18 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S DIVISION

Manutahl: Mrs. L. R- Hamilton presided over a fair attendance at the first meeting of the year. It was decided to hold a “bring and buy” stall at the next meeting ih aid, of branch funds. Members wefe then entertained by a talk by Mrs. LoVell, HaWefa, Who gave some of her impressions and experiences bft her recent trip to America. Hostesses Were MeSdarries 0. Schwass, W. Smart and D. JiUett. Midhirst: Despite very unfavourable weather there was a good attendance at the monthly meeting on Wednesday. The resignation Of Mrs. R. J; Laird owing to ill-health Was received with regret. Mrs. J. Howard WaS appointed president. It was decided to hold the crowning Ceremony of the baby carnival on March 14 with a baby show in the afternoon and a dance at night. A competition was won by Mrs. Walker, junr., the prize being given by Mrs. Dill, s6nr. A pre* sentation of a silver cake dish was hiade to Miss E. Walker in view of . her ap* proaching marriage. Afternoon tea was Served by the hostesses, Mrs. A. Carter and Mrs. C. Carroll; Auroa: The Aurda branch organised a picfiid to the mountain last Tuesday, and a party of oVer 50-spent an enjoyable day climbing and exploring the different tracks made by Mr. J. E. Murphy. Three lorries ladeft With passengers were de* lighted with the good road up to the mountain, with its beautiful ferns, talas, and other native forest trees. Mr. Murphy took one party oft a botanical pursuit along different tracks. A clearing Was showft which by a Sowing bf 2 cwt. bf super per acre, danthofila, a native grass, had been ptaCtiCally killed bUt, and replaced by good grasses. Stumps of trees from 16 to 32 yeats of age were shown in perfect preservation. It was interesting, lb note a patch Of ragwort that had never been allowed to flower and yet appeared to be spread* ing. Manakau treefe Were shown with a diariteter of 3ft. Bin. Hall’s totate, which grows bn MbUfit Egfriont, was mUck admirfed, bne bld tree of Which may have been there before the Itot eruption. Other interesting trees afid plants noted were the dryrns and cdld* rata, putuputuwheta (food for the wheta), the patete with its toVCfi fingCrS, arid the northern pariex with its five fifigets. The Rangiora with its pbisofi-likb tUtu was examined, also the elastic flax (a species bf cabbage tree). A kbrbmikb, peculiar to Egmbnt, was' shown, hfid the New Zealand broom. Many little Alpine plants and berries ware admired, as was the ffiouritairi primrose, primulas and orchids. All stages in the. growth of the rata tree may be studied along the drive; This popular giant, of the fotest begins life as ari epiphyte high up in the mould gathered in the forking . branches of Some fotost trees. From thfere it sends dbWn rbbts Which reach the ground and; branching on the way down, enclose in a network of rbbts thb, supporting tree which ik crushed afid destroyed. RimUs are the usual victims;