WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19860, 25 July 1934, Page 12

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

SHERWOOD DOWNS. The third birthday party of the Sherwood Downs Women’s Institute was held on July 19. To celebrate the occasion, there was a large attendance of members and visitors from other A cordial welcome was extended by the president, Mrs A. B. Mackenzie. A short account of the recent Arts and Crafts Exhibition held in Timaru was given by Miss Foden, president of the Fairlie Institute. Miss A. Scott described the Fairlie Institute’s birthday party, and Miss E. Bray reported on the similar function held by the Fairlie Women’s Division. The president gave a report on the group meeting at Ashburton and also a short account of the birthday gatherings of the Temuka, Woodbury and Geraldine Institutes. A presentation was made to Mr and Mrs S. P. Bray for generously assisting the Institute in many ways. The Institute’s annual dances had held in their granary. The prizes for competitions won during the year were presented as follows: Most points, Mrs B. Anniss and Miss M. Whatman 1 (equal). Most entries, Miss Whatman. Mrs M. L. West (Fairie) lighted the three candles on the birthday cake. Two members made and iced the cake. Mabel Bray blew out the candles, and the cake was cut by Mrs Reid. Speeches congratulating the Institute were made by Miss Foden (Fairlie), Mrs Brown (Mount Nessing) and Mrs Fee (Kimbell). Songs were sung by Mrs Fee and Miss Ayson (Kimbell), and glees were given by the Institute choir. A presentation was then made to the president (Mrs A. B. Mackenzie). Appreciation of her work was expressed by Mrs A. P. Bray and Mrs Reid. The president was congratulated on being appointed proxy delegate to represent the South Canterbury Federation Executive at the conference. Bouquets were presented to Mrs M. B. Reid (vice-president), Mrs F. J. Carter (secretary) and Mrs S. Harper (treasurer). A collection of members’ handwotk was exhibited. A large parcel of winter clothing was forwarded to the Christchurch Red Cross Centre.

MISS JESSIE MACKAY TRIBUTE FROM ADMIRERS. As a tribute to the work of Miss Jessie Mackay, who has for very many years been one of the best-known of New Zealand poets, and who has always been active in feminist and other movements for social reform, a small committee has been formed in Christchurch with the purpose of presenting her with a letter of appreciation and a suitable gift. Those concerned include friends, admirers of her literary work both in New Zealand and Australia, and those who have been associated with her in her many other activities. The best-known collection of Miss Mackay’s poems is “Land of the Morning,” which was published in 1910. but she is represented in several anthologies, and her work is known outside of New Zealand. Her poetry has a strong element of Celtic mysticism, knit with the right turn of descriptive phrase, and it is notable for able craftsmanship in verse. Miss Mackay has been a journalist and reformer, being particularly interested in feminism, and temperance, vegetarian and anti-vivisection movements, as well as in Scottish Home rule. She lives in retirement at Cashmere Hills. Christchurch.