WOMEN’S DIVISION

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1935, Page 19 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S DIVISION

ACTIVITIES OF BRANCHES Urenui: The annual meeting of the Urenui branch was held in the Urenui hall on Monday afternoon, when Mrs. J. F. Phillips presided Over a large attendance. Members paid a tribute to the late vice-president, Mrs. W. J. Freeth. The report stated that the past year had been successful financially and socially. Although the membership decreased, interest in the branch was maintained. One division housekeeper was employed. A mart, exchange of plants, miniature flower show and a bring and buy sale were held. A donation of £1 was forwarded to the New Plymouth shop and the rest room, and £5 to the Dominion branch community chest. A demonstration was given by Mrs. Foreman, and Mr. V. C. Davies gave an address on flowers and shrubs. Several competitions were held, prizes being donated by Mesdames O’Riordan, Strachan, and Guthrie. Members undertook to sell goods made by disabled soldiers, and satisfactory results were achieved. A donation was received from the Urenui branch of the Farmers’ Union, and at the annual dance of the union the members took charge of supper arrangements. Household guides were presented to four brides in the district. Officers elected were: President, Mrs. J. Guthrie; vice-presidents, Mesdames R. G. Luxton, J. B. Mabin, R. Weeden and J. F. Phillips; advisory members, Mesdames J. F. Phillips, R. G. Luxton and A. D. Carr. The resignation of Mrs. J. F. Phillips as president was accepted, and reference was made to the splendid work she had done for the

branch since its inception six years ago. Purangi: The monthly meeting was held on March 14. Mesdames Marsh, Fabish and Paynter, Inglewood, gave an afternoon of demonstrations. Pembroke Road: The last meeting of the financial year of the Pembroke Road branch was held on Wednesday. Mrs. Belcher presided over an attendance of Is. The date was fixed for the annual meeting and it was decided to ask Mrs. M. T. Phillips, who was chairman of the inaugural meeting, to preside. A sum was voted to the community chest. The branch decided to hold a euchre party and dance. Members expressed sympathy with Mrs. Cartwright in her long illness. Hostesses were Mesdames McCracken. The branch’s first birthday party on February 13 drew visitors from Pohokura, Stratford, Toko and Cardiff. The afternoon was spent in competitions out of doors, seats being arranged under the shade of pongas and awnings. Afternoon tea was served indoors and was interspersed with speeches by visiting branch presidents and representatives, and with items by Misses Tonkin (piano duet and vocal duet), Mrs. E. J. Hunt (solo) and Miss N. Belcher (recitation). The cake, which was baked by Mrs. Caldwell and decorated with natural flowers by Mrs. Paul Brown, was cut by the president, Mrs. Belcher. There was a splendid display of arts and crafts by members. Winners of the competitions were: Ladder croquet, Mrs. W. F. Ross; marble trick, Mrs. Horn; best thrift article, Mrs. H. A. Hunt (prize being donated by Mrs. Tomlyn). A handsome curtain ' worked in wools, the work of Miss Beard, Wharehuia, was awarded as a prize for .the best piece of fancy work. Midhirst: The Midhirst branch held its monthly meeting on .Wednesday, Mrs. J. Howard presiding over a fair attendance. An invitation was received from the Pukengahu branch to attend its birthday party, but owing to the district sports being held that day members would not be able to attend. The balance-sheet of the baby queen carnival showed a profit of £47 Ils lid, and a vote of thanks was passed to members for assistance. A donation of £5 5s was voted to the community chest fund. Mrs. H. Lutze and Mrs. Howard were appointed to visit sick members during the coming month. A competition was won by Mrs. Howard, Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs. Lepper and Miss E. Graham. Egmont Village: The branch held its third birthday party on Tuesday afternoon, when Mrs. Meuli presided over an excellent attendance including visitors from New Plymouth, Oakura, Kent Road, Hillsborough, Hurworth, Kaimiro and Inglewood branches. The hall was decorated while bowls of beautiful belladonna lilies, asters, and hydrangea lent enchantment to the interior. An exhibition of hand crafts and fancy work made a fine display. The table at which the presidents sat was decorated in division colours. Miss Morton made the cake and Mrs. Adamson decorated it. Miss Jean Morton opened the programme with a song and all took part in community singing. A competition was won by Mrs. C. H. Smith, Albert Road. Loma Adamson danced a Sword Dance and Highland Fling. Mrs. C. J. Harris, provincial president, gave a short talk on matters concerning the problems of countrywomen. Mrs. Nodder (Inglewood sang and the concluding number was tap dancing by Shirley Marsh. Inglewood: The branch held its meeting on Wednesday in the band room, when Mrs. Marsh presided over a good attendance. A motion of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Mr. W. J. Freith, Pukearuhe. Mrs. Marsh reported having despatched a box of books each to the Brixton and Uruti branches. Mesdames Marsh, Bennet, Gropki, C. W. Bennet, Ulenberg, Moir and Miss M. Gropki represented the branch at the Egmont Village branches’ third birthday party. It was decided that the branch should celebrate its sixth year of existence by ..holding a party. Mrs. Arthur, New Plymouth gave an address upon the League of Nations. The hostesses were Mesdames Chard and Moir.

Huiroa-Kiore: The last meeting of the year took place on March 14. Mrs. Williams presided over an average attendance. One member was enrolled. A summary of the half yearly conference held at Christchurch has been received and circulated amongst members. The sum of £1 was voted towards the community chest. Competitions were judged by Mesdames Martin and Smith as follows: Biscuits, Mrs. Rogers 1; Mrs. Wallace 2; Mrs. Taylor 3; coat hanger, Miss G. Rogers 1; Mrs. Taylor 2; Mrs. Williams 3; Miss Mary Williams won the points prize for competitions for the year. Hostesses were Mrs. Potroz and Miss Violet Rogers.

Inglewood Junior: The branch met on Saturday afternoon when Miss Mildred Fabish presided over an attendance of 20 members and six visitors. The bal-ance-sheet of the recent social disclosed a credit of £2 0s lid. It was announced that the competition for next month would be for the best four ginger biscuits. It was decided to stage a court of exhibits at the forthcoming show. Miss Tarry continued her talk on her recent visit to Fiji, the girls being keenly interested in her descriptions of the steamer trip, life on the sands, the habits and customs of the natives, the scenic attractions and the prolific vegetation. A vote of thanks was accorded Miss Tarry. A presentation was made to Miss Maida Comey, one of the vicepresidents, on the even of her marriage. Miss Corner was the first president of

a junior branch in New Zealand. Miss Fabish referred to Miss Corney’s popularity and said the girls could not let the occasion pass without recognising in a tangible way her splendid services to the junior branch. Miss Corney was presented with a Chinese brass fruit bowl. The hostesses were Misses Fanny Chard and Cecelia Fabish.

New Plymouth: Mrs. P. McPhillips presided at the last meeting of the financial year held in St. Andrew’s hall on Thursday afternoon. The Kawaroa Park garden party on March 1 showed a satisfactory balance-sheet. The child’s set competition was drawn, the winner being Mrs. Jury, Brixton. The question of affiliation with the League of Nations Union was discussed. It was decided that the branch should affiliate. The president read an appeal for funds from the Dominion secretary. It was decided to contribute £l2 to the community chest fund. This, together with a contribution of £3 earlier in the year, brought the 1935 donation to £l5. The hostesses were Mrs. Leadbetter and Mrs. Street. Mrs. C. J. Harris, provincial president, gave an account of the evolution, aims and objects of the W.D.F.U.