WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21575, 10 February 1940, Page 12

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

GAPES VALLEY At the monthly meeting of the Gapes Valley Women's Institute, presided over by Mrs R. Hall (president), there was rather a smaller attendance of members than usual, harvesting and sickness being responsible for the absence of a number of members. Mrs R. Hall gave the golden thread talk on gardening. The link letter from East Bridgford, England, received by Miss L. Maxwell, was read. The chief feature of the afternoon's programme was a talk by Mrs A. G. Brown on her trip to England, dealing chiefly with London before and after war broke out. Her graphic description of events was listened to with rapt attention and members w’ere delighted to hear of little incidents connected with members of the Royal Family. A vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Brown on the motion of Mrs H. Bailey. Competition results were as follows:—Seed cake: Mrs C. G. Hibbs 1, Mrs V. Le Lievre 2, Mrs G. Bailey 3. Bottle preserved fruit: Mrs G. Bailey 1, Mrs E. Maxwell 2. Mrs Hibbs 3. Most attractive basket of vegetables: Mrs G. Bailey. Bloom: A section, Mrs P. Barker; B section, Miss E. Hall; C section, Mrs V. Le Lievre. The tea hostesses were Mrs Judkins and Miss I. Bigham. BLUECLIFFS The January meeting of the Bluecliffs Women’s Institute, presided over by Mrs Cocks, was fairly well attended. On account of certain reasons the soldiers’ visit to Bluecliffs was postponed until a future date. Mrs Woodhouse gave a short talk on Red Cross and made the appeal for linen, blankets and flour bags. A letter containing Christmas greetings was received from the Institute link in England. The programme for the afternoon took the form of a most interesting as well as entertaining talk by Mrs Woodhouse on her visit to the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. Through her graphic description those unable to be present at Wellington, gained a splendid impression of the exhibits and displays in the various courts.

The competitions for the day resulted as follows:—Jam. Mrs Ward 1, Mrs Weeks and Mrs Collier (equal) 2; kitchen tidy. Mrs Weeks 1, Mrs Ward 2; flowers, Mrs Collier 1, Mrs Ward 2, Mrs Weeks 3. The hostesses were Mesdames Squire, Collier and Kenyon. WASIIDYKF The February meeting of the Washdyke Women s Institute was held in the Hall. Mrs Shaw (vice-president) being in the chair. A letter was received from the secretary of the Washdyke and Levels Soldiers’ Farewell Committee thanking the members of the Institute for helping at the farewell social held during December. Wool for socks and bedsocks, and pyjamas to be sewn up was received from the Red Cross Society and handed to members to be made up.

Nominations were received for the new committee to be elected next month.

A competition run by Mrs Darling was won by Mrs Seyb.

The monthly competitions resulted: Date scones, Mrs J. King 1. Mr# Shaw 2, Mrs W. Kellahan 3; soft toy, Mrs J. King; premier bloom, Mrs w. Kellahan. HUNTER Mrs Mercer presided at the February meeting of the Hunter Women’s Institute, when there was only a fair attendance of members. The roll-call was “What vocation I should take up if I had my time over again.” For the golden thread talk, Mrs Ayrey gave a most interesting account of a motor trip she had taken through Central Otago. Mrs W. Gibson was appointed to take charge of all patriotic work to be undertaken by the Institute. During the social half hour a “tree” guessing competition was won by Mrs Wallace.

Monthly competitions resulted as follows: 8100m —Mrs Prattley (dahlia) 1, Mrs Turner (lilium) and Miss Thyna Neal (gladioli) equal 2, Cabbage— Mrs Manson 1, Miss Peggy Manson 2. Washing Cushion Cover — Mrs J. McNeill 1, Mrs A. McKenzie 2.