WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1935, Page 2

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

THE TARANAKI EXECUTIVE. ACTIVITIES IN THE PROVINCE. The executive committee of the Taranaki Federation of Women’s Institutes met at Normanby on Monday. There were present Mesdames W. Kaye, president (Inglewood), W. H. Walton (Patea), A. Morey (Waitara), A. O. Whitehead (Tikorangi), C. H. Brewer (Kaponga), A. McAsey (Tc Roti), T. J. Allan (Normanby), Misses A. Coleman (Ngaere), E. Free (Normanby), and Mrs. W. J. Smith, secretary (Inglewood). This being the last meeting before the annual election, Mrs. Kaye thanked members for their co-operation.

On behalf of the committee, Mrs. Walton paid a tribute to Mrs. Kaye for the enthusiastic, cheerful and capable manner in which she carried out her duties as president and voluntary organiser for Taranaki. Mrs. Kaye’s vivid personality and ready understanding had endeared her to the members. A vote of thanks to Mrs. Kaye was accompanied by applause. The annual report and balance-sheet was discussed.

Final arrangements were made for the annual council meeting at New Plymouth on May 3.

The president reported that Mr. J. H. Ledgerwood would give a lecture on dramatic work and that a short play would be staged to receive his criticism. It was decided to try to make arrangements for excursion fares on the railway for the occasion and to ask members to make their own arrangements for refreshments.

It was decided that the federation should affiliate with the British Drama League. It was decided to ask institutes to stage plays at various centres during June, July or 'August. Matters connected with the pantry, larder and storeroom exhibition at the winter show were discussed. Mr. L. O. Hooker, Hawera, attended the meeting to offer suggestions. It was reported that the membership of the Taranaki institutes for the past year was 1347. Maxwell: The annual meeting was well attended. Mrs. Morrison presided. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Morrison; vice-presidents, Mesdames Hughes and Staite; treasurer, Miss Siddall; secretary, Miss Morrison; committee, Mesdames Blair, N. Hughes, Hood, Morrison, Siddall, Staite, Woodley, Misses Partridge, Siddall and L. Morrison. The points competition was for a Sponge roll, the result being: Mrs. N. Hughes 1, Mrs. Woodley 2, Miss C. Morrison 3. Winners of the flower competition were Mrs. N. Hughes (bowl of asters), Mrs. Morrison (bowl of zinnias). A programme for the year arranged by the committee was approved. Mangatoki: The fourth birthday picnic was held at Taumata Park, Eltham, on Saturday. There was a fair attendance, though uncertain weather in the morning after heavy rain kept many s away. Lunch and afternoon tea were provided by the institute members. The birthday cake was made by Mrs. T. Linn and decorated by Miss G. Linn. Before cut-, ting the cake Mrs. A. E. Mahon welcomed the visitors, with special reference to the Eltham branch. She expressed thunks to Mrs. Hilmer for supplying hot water, etc. Margaret Linn blew out the candles. Mrs. H. CliffordJones (Eltham), president, responded on behalf of the visitors. She cogratulnated Mangatoki on having carried out such a c'omprehensiw programme during the year. Mrs. Clifford-Jones referred with regret to the departure of Lord and Lady Bledisloe, who had at all times taken a keen interest in the work of ths institute. A golf croquet competition was won by Mrs. S. Morgan. Stewart Morgan won the “in-and-out” competition, and Mrs. H. Linn the “hitting the peg” competition. Bell croquet was won by Miss Cora Phillips. The picnic coincided with the school sports. Patea: The first meeting of the Patea Women’s Institute under the new committee was held on Thursday afternoon. Mrs. A. A. Carey presided. Mrs. Carey welcomed the members and expressed the hope that all would work together for the good of the institute. She thanked members for the support given her during the time she was secretary and said that if she received the same support as president her task would be much easier. The following officers were elected: Vicepresidents, Mesdames W. H. Walton and R. S. Crawford; hon. secretary, Mrs. W. VZhite; hon. treasurer, Miss Hemingway. The following stewards were appointed: Garden circle, Mrs. S. Gunn; drama circle, Mrs. I. Jones; hall, Mrs. T. Hills; potato competition, Mrs. W. Ingley; afternoon tea, Mrs. L. T. Adams; competitions, Mesdames W. H. Walton and R. E. Moore; hojne and country, Mrs. Carey; bring and buy stall, Mesdames Laing and Roots. It was decided not to give monthly prizes, but points are to be given, to go towards a points prize at the end of the year. Kaponga: The annual meeting on Tuesday afternoon was presided over by the president, Mrs. R. D. Dagg. Mrs. Dagg was again elected president. Mrs. Kaye, Inglewood, president of the Taranaki Federation, gave an address on institute aims and ideals and explained the object of group meetings. The annual report complimented members upon another successful year. The attendances were good and keen interest was displayed in the demonstrations. The membership showed a decrease from 60 at the commencement of the year to 40. The year ended with a credit of £1 15s 3d. Members attended group meetings and delegates were sent to the federation council meetings. In June a card party and exhibition of handicrafts was held at the parish hall. In August Kaponga was the venue for a drama festival and in September the group meeting was held there. The December meeting took the form of an afternoon for young folk, children of institute members being entertained at afternoon tea. Several demonstrations and lectures were being arranged for the coming year. Thanks were expressed to members for their support, to the demonstrators, to Mrs. Evans for her services as pianist, and to the hostesses. A “one egg cake” competition was won by Mrs. J. Gibson, Mrs. Alan Betts being second and Mrs. G. Lewis and Miss Weymss tieing for third. A “name-mak-ing” competition was won by Miss M. Guy. Two new members were elected. The hostesses were Mesdames Betts, Harper and Webb.