WOMEN’S DIVISION OF THE FARMERS’ UNION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 16 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S DIVISION OF THE FARMERS’ UNION

NOTES OF THE WEEK. It is with great regret we have co tell of the death of one of our members, Airs O. I’. Lynch, Paekakariki, who passed away very suddenly on April 12. The sympathy of the Division goes out to all the members of her family. Aliss Alclvor, Totaratahi, Oamaru, is lie newly appointed editor of the women’s page in the Oamaru Alail which has now become the official organ <>f the W.D.F.U. in the South Island. Aiiss Alclvor is one of our very enthusiastic members and intends to run .i weekly column of W.D.F.U. news, -he would be glad to receive any items , interest from the different branches . ; insertion therein. rhe Ohingaiti Garden Party held on aiurday last in the grounds of the president, Airs T. Stewart, was a great • access. There were the usual games and competitions. As a means of promoting a friendly atmosphere the “bean” game is unrivalled. Everyone at the party received half a dozen beans, but those who answered “Yes, no. nor, nay or black, white or grey’’ to any question had to forfeit one bean to the questioner. The one who held the most beans at the end of the day being the winner of the prize. The Community Chest will benefit to the extent of some £l6. Alondav next is Householders Day. Nominations for Schools where there are 250 or more pupils have already closed, but for the committees of the smaller schools the nominations close at the meeting. The Alinister of Education only last week spoke of the remarkable difference in the educational results when parents are interested in their children’s education. How much greater will be the benefit when the rather or mother is on school committees? Is your branch putting up a member for the school committee? Two requests have come for old clothes—one from. Raetihi and one foi a man about five feet six and a half inches in height and of slight build. Any old clothes would do but particularly trousers and a jacket is wanted. “Up here it is just impossible to get men's or youths’ cast-offs. Our men wear their clothes to shreds and even in town—we are not a fashionable place—folks seem to wear their clothes is quite done.’’ This is a particularly destitute case, people down and out without even bedding. The man has I had no work for a long time but is ; now working on the land. His wife! lives in town, there is another baby, coming. Their seven children have been j»nt in an institution as they couldn’t support them. We have managed to supply the woman with clothing. There is an unconscious pathos in the other-request, which comes from a Taranaki branch. Some clothes, knickers and the like are wanted for a little girl of eleven. Dark clothes for preference as “the father has to do the washing.” If members have any clothes for a man or little maid would they please leave them at Draffins’ Garage, care The Bush Nurse and Housekeeper Auxiliary. The annual meeting of the AVanganui Branch was held Wednesday, April IS at the Luxor Cabaret and some 50 members were present. The president’s report was read anU adopted as was also that of the secretary and treasurer. After the reports were read the election of officers for the ensuing vear was proceeded with and resulted as*follows: President, Airs AVickham; vice-presi-dents, Afesdames Lilburn, Scott, Peat, and Aliss Polson; hon. secretary, Aliss Pratt; hon. treasurer, Aliss Anderson; town committee, Afesdames Afullins, Fulton, Gibson, J. Blyth, D. Blyth, AleDougal, Ale Donald and Miss Jordon; county committee, Airs Simpson (Nukumaru); Airs Anderson (Kai Iwi); Airs T. Mitchell (Fordell); Alts Anderson I (iMakirikiri). The finances of the AVanganui branch are in a most satisfactory condition. Since the branch was started two years ago £209 (Is has been paid into thp community chest. The following donations have "been received for the year 1927-1928: Afrs E. P. A aughan, £8 6s; County Council, £5; Mrs A. A. Sherry, £1 ■ shop day to community chest, £5O; total, £66 6s. After ad expenses had been paid l in connection with Afr s Amery’s reception there was a small surplus of £3 5s 6d over which was handed to Aliss Jordon, the branch’s hospital convenor to spend as she thought fit. The balance sheet in detail will be published in next Saturday’s “Chronicle.” The past president (Airs Lilburn) and committee wish to thank Air Silk for his unfailing help, for the uses oi the board room and also for his kiaJness hi acting as hon. auditor to the Manganui Branch.— Hie officers of a branch constitute a working board. They have been chosen because they are women of principle, who are willing to give some time and thought to making their organisation a success. The officers are responsible for extending the member- I ship, for planning the work and for making the meetings interesting and effective. President.—lt is the duty cf the president of a branch to take the ehair at meetings, to maintain order, to make decisions as to points of order and give a casting vote in ease of a tie. i Tile presiding officer should never speak to a motion while- occupying the chair. , Vice-President.—-it is the duty of the vice-president to take the chair in the absence of the president and carry on her work should she be away for any length of time. Committee.—The committee should forward the interests of the branch by every means in its power. It should meet the other officers at least once a year and discuss the affairs of the branch, such as alterations in programmes, arrangements for entertainments, speeches, etc. The secretary of a branch should supply the- presiding officer with a clearly expressed order of business for each meeting, should keep correct minutes of every meeting held, and should answer all correspondence promptly. The secretary should send in regular monthly reports Io headquarters after each meeting, with names and addresses of new members, etc. The secretary should see that each meet-

ing is advertised beforehand and all necessary arrangements properly made. The Treasurer must keep accurate accounts of all membership fees received, all monies raised or expended, drawing up a financial statement at the end of each year to be presented to the members at the annual meeting. VICTORIA LEAGUE’S AVORK. The Secretary of th c AVanganui Vic toria League has received the following letter from Airs Cecil Wray in London:—“l cannot tell you how delighted I am wiitlf the lovely gift of ~ IG ,' ,is . W,hich . vou us for the Facial patients who used to be al Sidcup, but who are now at liochamp ton. This noble gift from the Victoria League has come as such a groat surprise, and 1 hope you will tell all who .have a. share in it huw deeply grateful I am for this b. which enables me to go on givieg the men so much pleasure and shihi •.•nieni, to say nothing of the many delicacies and things they fancy when they are so very ill ano <io not eat with any appetite the hospital diet. They simply love to feci they are remembered ana I alway s take care to tell them how good Nw Zealand is to them, and that 1 am only a messenger, taking them the things 1 am given for them. “I never miss a week excepting through Hint's so they look upon me as a sort of established fairy who brings them what they like. 1 have a license lor cigarettes and buy about l-l.Ofm a year all of which go, as there are over 500 men in Queen Alary Hospital. “Would you please correct anyone who thinks the facial cases are still at Sidcup. They hav e al] come to Rochainpton so I see them every wek and view them all. There are many very bad cases, and some are only getting their teeth fixed in, and this is nine years after the AVar. l-'oor things, they have much to put up with apart from actual suffering, as they are so disfigured. “Please tell everyone how delighted I a mand how it makes us go on witii fresh energy to have this grand encouragement. ’ ’