WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 643, 22 December 1932, Page 14

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Promoting International Trade. The value of the Women's Institute movement in promoting' international trade is becoming more and more apparent. Lately many New Zealand institutes have received letters from their overseas ‘'links,’' speaking appreciatively of the butter which was sent as a gift a few months ago. One letter stated that the members of a certain Yorkshire Women’s Institute have continued to use New Zealand butter in their homes since tasting that sent as a gift from their New Zealand link. Incidentally they have sent a Christmas cake as a token of appreciation. This “gift scheme” is now being applied to other products, with the double object of stimulatingtrade and promoting friendship. Duvauchelle. At the monthly meeting of the Duvauchelle Women's Institute Mrs Lewtlnvaite presided. It was decided to hold a picnic on December 27. and Mrs Kay placed her grounds at the disposal of the institute. The competition for January is to be snapshots. A bring and buy stall did good business. Community singing terminated a pleasant afternoon. Sefton. The monthly meeting of the Sefton Women’s Institute was held in the Presbyterian Schoolroom. Mrs A. Dalzell presided over an attendance of fifty members. An interesting demonstration of the making of g’ift toys was given by Mrs A. Cory. The competition for the best Christmas gift—the materials of which did not cost more than one shilling—brought many dainty articles, Mrs R. J. M’Gowan gaining three points and Mrs Matthews two points. The hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames W. and T. Ashworth, D. J. Boyce and G. Carline. Springfield. The monthly meeting of the Springfield Women’s Institute was held in the hall, Mrs M’Keown being in the chair. One new member was proposed and one resignation received. It was decided to send a donation of cash to the Mayor’s Christmas fund. Mrs M’Keown, who demonstrated the making of toy animals, was accorded a vote of thanks. The concert party agreed to assist the School Committee with their concert. The president made a presentation of a piece of china to Mrs J. Kelly, avlio is leaving the district. During the month, at the invitation of the W.D.F.U., members attended a lecture on India given by Major R. H. Howell. The hostesses for the afternoon were Misses Fraser (2) and Saundercock (2). Parnassus. The monthly meeting of the Parnassus Women’s Institute was held recently. A demonstration on art needlework was given by Mrs Gnrty, for which she received a vote of thanks. The surprise packet gift competition was won by Mrs Sheffield. Many useful and ornamental gifts were sold. The hostesses were Mesdames Coe, Drayton and M’Meeking. Tinwalcl. The monthly meeting of the Tinwald Women’s Institute was held in the Parish Hall. Mrs Houston presided. Members were asked to bring suggestions for next year's programme. As there will be no meeting in .Tanuarv, nominations for officers for the coming i year will be taken at the February meeting. A demonstration on barbola work was given by Mrs A. Bray, Ashburton. The competition for the day, soft toys, was won by Miss E. Miller, with Mrs Hopwood second. Items were given by Miss P. Clark and Mrs R. Fisher. The hostesses were Mesdames J. Roffey, Gower and K. Wilson. Arundel. The Arundel Women’s Institute held its third annual Christmas party recently. The hall was crowded. A feature of the evening was the arrival of Father Christmas and each child in the district received a present from the Christmas tree. A short concert was given, the items being as follows: Christmas carols and Institute song, Institute members; recitation, Mr J. M’Comb; song, Dolly Johnston; song. Miss M. Charles; dance, school children; song. Miss R. Ashby; song, Mr J. Stack; Indian scene. Institute members. The accompaniments were played by Miss A. Ashby. After the concert, dancing was enjoyed to music supplied by Mesdames A. Pithie and J. Charles, Misses T. Turton, R. Ashby and C. Lewis and Mr A. Popplewell. Mr J. Hewitt was M.C. Arahura Valley. At the last meeting of the Arahura Valley Women’s Institute, a demonstration of cane and raffia work was given by Mrs Appleton, of Hokitika. A small presentation was made to Mrs Ditely (the president) for the use of her home for meetings, and also to the secretary (Mrs ITaroourt) for her services. A competition was won by Mrs W. HousOkains Bay. The monthly meeting of the Okains Bay Women’s Institute was held in the ball on Wednesday, Mrs A. Ware preThe monthly competition, a was well contested, Mrs 11° J. U Mason and Miss M. Marshall being first, equal,

second, equal. Eac tov for St Savioui good collection wa the afternoon song Atkinson, Miss T. Robinson. Two a won by Misses T. re and W. Robinson >h member brought a •*s Orphanage, and a s received. During s were sung by Mrs Mason and Miss \V. gai and

Railway passenger traffic continues to be fairly heavy. The trains for Dunedin and the West Coast were well patronised to-day and the holiday season promises well for the volume of traffic.

j A road 21 feet wide and metalled a ! foot thick with dint has been found in [ ! a cornfield at Rarlcombe Mills. The Romans made it when the Roman Empire was at the height of its power, j It was a road from London to Lewes.