WOMEN'S DIVISION

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1935, Page 15

WOMEN'S DIVISION

ACTIVITIES OF BRANCHES Ahititi-Tongaporutu: The annual meeting was held at Ahititi last week, Mrs. Lewis presiding over a good attendance. The president reported that the book club had been added to and had proved a source of enjoyment to all members throughout the district. A large parcel of articles from the disabled returned soldiers of Wellington was sold by the branch. The knitting club formed last year had gone ahead and showed a credit balance after having helped local people in various ways. The president thanked those who spent so much of their time in doing this good work. At the November meeting beautiful home-made toys were brought by members. After being judged and photographed they were despatched to Mrs. C. Chapman, New Plymouth, to give to poor children as a Christmas gift. During the winter months, as the result of a pound scheme, several parcels were sent to the Red Cross Society for distribution. The balance sheet showed a credit of nearly double the amount of last year. Special thanks were due to the secretary (Miss Eileen O’Sullivan), for the way in which the the branch’s work was handled during the year. Votes of thanks were accorded car owners who assisted with travelling, and to Mr. W. L. Smith for auditing the books. The president (Mrs. H. L. Lewis) and the secretary were accorded a vote of thanks for their work during the year and were each present with a gift from branch members. Owing to business reasons, Mrs. Lewis did not seek reelection. Tire election of officers resulted: President, Mrs. F. Calvert; vice-presi-dents, Mesdames J. J. Chapman, Jimmieson and H. L. Lewis; secretary, Miss Eileen O’Sullivan; committee, Mesdames A. Petersen, F. O'Sullivan and O’Donnell pnd Misses Shaw and R. Foreman and Mrs. Burton; advisory members, Mesdames F. Calvert, Mrs. Burton and Chapman. Hostesses for afternoon tea were Mesdames I. Johnson and Hamblyn and Miss Shaw. A vote of thanks was accorded the Farmers’ Union for the gift of a guinea to the branch. Mr. F. Calvert, last year’s president said it was a small gift showing a little appreciation from the union.

Rahotu:—The annual meeting was held on April 11. Mrs. Butler presided over a good attendance. The election of officers resulted: Mrs. W. Butler, president; Mrs. F. B. Brewer, secretary; six vice-presi-dents; advisory board, Mesdames Wright, Cochrane and Barr; Mr. Linehan, auditor. A vote of thanks was passed to. Mr. Linehan, to Mrs. Laurie Billings and Mrs. Barr for housing some neighbours who were burnt out. The division collected the sum of £9 7s for the same family. Mr., M, Hill and Miss Fleming wrote acknowledging letters of sympathy from the division in severe illnesses. During the year baskets, to the value of £9 2s sd,' were sold for the Blind Institute, goods to the value of £1 10s 6d for disabled soldiers, £2 4s 6d was donated to the Poppy Day fund, £2 2s given to the Legion of Frontiersmen, £2 2s to the community chest, £1 9s in prizes for local children collecting butterflies, and £5 worth of blankets to a member whose home was destroyed by fire. It was decided to hold a community sing as soon as possible to raise funds for the division. A challenge at euchre is to be issued to the Farmers’ Union. The next meeting is to be held on May 9 and the competition arranged is the ‘best half a dozen pikelets. Brixton:—Mrs. McCaul presided over a good attendance at the annual meeting. The report reviewed a busy and successful year. The membership was the same as last year, 32 seniors and two juniors. The balance-sheet showed cash in hand £l3 16s 4d and other assets £ll, a total of £24 16s 4d. Donations made included £3 to the community chest fund, £1 to the New Plymouth Mayor’s Christmas fund, £1 to Flock House, £1 to the book club, 2s 6d to the bush nurses’ headstone fund, Is to Lady Bled'isloe’s farewell gift and toys to the Victoria League. To assist in the relief of distress at Waitara and New Plymouth goods were collected on pound days and clothing was made from material purchased with £3’ set aside last year. Several dances and a garden party showed a profit of £l4 10s. Eight demonstrations and talks were given during the year. A picnic was held instead of the January meeting. The branch was represented at all provincial meetings and at birthday parties held by the New Plymouth, Bell Block, Tarurutangi, Tikorangi and Huirangi institutes. Used stamps were sent to the Manurewa Children’s Home and the cancer research fund. Donations were received from Mrs. Hopson, Miss Muir, “Anonymous,” Mrs. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Jury and Mrs. Varcoe (New Plymouth). The branch was indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Longstaff and family for the use of a room for meetings. The report acknowledged help from other supporters of the branch. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs. McCaul; vice-presidents, Mesdames H. Andrews, Muir and Watson; secretary and treasurer, Miss Muir; social secretary, Miss Hopson; advisory members, Mesdames Limmer and Schroder; committee, Mesdames Sutton, Thatcher, Jury and Poletti, and Misses Limmer, Fulton and Meston; delegates, Mesdames Watson and Andrew; auditor, Mr. L. Jury. Omata: The annual meeting of the branch was held on Wednesday, there being a fair attendance. The balance sheet showed a credit of £ll 2s 9d. Mrs. Penwarden, president, presented her report for the year which, she said, had been a busy one for all members alike. As it was the first year of the branch funds had to be raised, dances being found the most profitable meansf'of revenue. Three dances were held, each being a great success. She thanked the committee and members for their help. Help had been given to cases of need in the district and £2 10s was sent to the community chest fund, 8s each to shop fund and rest room and 10s to the hall committee, which granted the use of the hall for branch meetings. Four competitions during the year resulted in a profit of £5 6s. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mrs. P. Penwarden; vice-presidents, Mrs. Hare and Mrs. Wilton; secretary, Mrs. L. Penwarden; committee, Mesdames K. Bailey, Mrs. Donald, Mrs. Gill, and Mrs. Grace. It was decided to hold a dance for the hall funds. Stamps will be collected and forwarded to Mrs. Arthux- for the cancer funds.