WOMEN’S DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 91, 17 April 1930, Page 3

WOMEN’S DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING

ELECTION OF OFFICERS An unexpected pleasure was accorded to the members of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, at their annual meeting yesterday. Mrs C. C. Jackson, the Dominion President of the W.D.F.U., was able to be present, and took the chair. After the minutes of the past meeting had been taken, the following report was submitted by Mrs Wickham. President of the Wanganui branch of the W.D.F.U.: “The last has been a very active year for the Wanganui branch. Our membership is 325. Recently we have added eight more to our list of life members, now we have ten life members. Last year a lady in England, Miss Adkin, in Berkshire, donated £lO to the Earthquake Relief Fund through the W.D.F.U. She was made an hon. life member of this branch, and a member’s badge was forwarded to her. In May last, at the request of the Health authorities, and in conjunction with other branches all over New Zealand, we held a il Mothers’ Welfare Week.” A lecture on health was given, pamphlets of interest to mothers were distributed, a baby show, and physical perfection contests for children were held. The judge was a lady doctor, and it is of interest to note that all the winners were, or had been, Plunket babies. From funds collected during this week we were able to forward three guineas to the Obstetrical Travelling Scholarship Fund—this was our first donation to this fund. Recently, through the kindness of Mr and Mrs David Blyth, in holding a garden party and in which Okoia and Fordell helped, and also with the sale of coupons, the W.D.F.U. were able to contribute £62 5s to the Obstetric Appeal Fund. During the year we have had several social gatherings, when addresses on various subjects were given. In Octobef we and the Victoria League joined in entertaining Lady Alice Fergusson on her farewell visit to Wanganui. Last month we entertained the overseas farmers and their wives. A letter of appreciation was received. As in other years, we opened a rest room for mothers and children on Show days in November. The “Shop Day” returns were not so good as in former years owing to so many other appeals being made at that time. We collected 600 books for the Dominion Book Club which the branch took over in September and Mrs Martin was appointed honorary librarian. Boxes of books were deceived from Raetihi, Marton, Stratford, Dannevirkc, Levin, Okoke, Opunake, Frankton, Waverley, and five cases of books from Mrs Smith, head office. Every week parcels of books and magazines are despatched to Book Club members in the backblocks. There are over 140 members and as each member receives two books, magazines and paper, also one or two children’s books, and when there arc three or four members in a group, these parcels take some packing. Our members with cars are very helpful in taking these packages to the railway station. Mrs Martin has received many letters of appreciation and thanks from the recipients, and now as winter is drawing near, new members arc joining up every day. A visit is paid every week to the public hospital by two of our members, who take the patients fruit and magazines. These visits give a great deal of pleasure, and arc eagerly looked forward to by the patients, and we would like the names of a few more helpers to take part in this work.” Mrs Wickham attended several executive meetings in Wellington on behalf of the W.D.F.U., and also meetings of the Housekeeping Section in Palmerston North. In conclusion, she thanked the committee for loyal support and co-operation during a very pleasant year. Mrs C. C. Jackson, in a pleasant little speech, mentioned the excellent work done by Mrs Wickham, and the great assistance she had given, as a Dominion vice-president. Ths election of officers then began: Mrs Wickham was unanimously re-

elected president of the Wanganui W.D.F.G., this decision being received with applause. As vice-presiuents, Mrs B. Luourn, Miss Polson, Blyth, Mrs iScotu and Mrs B. L. Gibson were elected. Mrs Butcher was again elected honorary treasurer and, as Miss Pratt retired from her honorary secretaryship this year. Miss Cole was elected to tha,. position, with Miss K. Fraser as iiouoraiy assistant secretary. I'he committee was elected as follows: Mesdaines Preston, E. H. McDonald, J. Blyth, Mullins, Fulton, A. G. Anderson, kSoundy, Cave, Corit, Cross, C. •Smith, Misses Pra t, N e Murray, Anderson, with Mrs A. Giiisuii and Miss Jordan a advisory members. Power to add to the ccmmittee was voted. Mrs J. Martin was re-eiected honorary librarian. Votes of thanks were passed, and ac claimtu, to Mrs Wickham, for her

splendid work as presiden., Mrs Preston, Mrs Maitiii, Mrs Cave and Miss Jordan, (win. are in charge yf the arrangements for W.D.F.U. visits and gills to the hospital), Miss Pratt, Mrs Butcher (whose balance-sheet, as treasurer, met with warm praise), Mrs McDougall, who has been an excellent helper prior to her retirement this year, tiie Victoria League, who have been most generous in allowing lhe Division to use their rooms, and to the Wanganui Biver {Services, who have kindly allowed parcels to be conveyed free of charge.

The business of the meeting transacted, members and friends had time to lean back and enjoy a dam y afternoon tea at tables gay with berries, antumir foliage, dahlias, and cactus flowers. •Several new members were enrolled, before the comraiuaccmcut of a delightful musical programme, to which ah listened with great interest. Miss Jean Mcilvride, a charming yeuiig singer whose soft, rich voice is a new disco--cry in Wanganui’s nusical wur.d, sang a most effective little spring song, which was heartily encored. This was followed by a delightful song of the shadows of clouds, which . Miss Mcilvride sang with feeling and sweetness Miss Mary Harvey’s dainty song of spring and the cuckoo’s call, given in a clear and pretty soprano voice, were also very popular, and both singers were fortunate in their accompanist, Mrs H. D. Bobertson, whose two pianoforte solos were beautifully rendered, with the soft and tender touch which shows real love of music. Mrs H. D. Bobertson was wearing a pretty cosfume and hat of dahlia shade. Miss Harvie wore a jumper suit in grey and primrose, and Miss Mcilvride a dainty frock of beige figured crepe de chine. Among those present were Mrs C. C. Jackson, who wore a black costume and hat, with jumper of beige and old lace; Mrs Wickham, in nigger brown moire coat and hat to match; Mrs B. Lilburn, Miss Polson, Mrs Blyth, Mrs Scott, Mrs B. L. Gibsun, Mrs Butcher, Miss Cole, Mis Pratt, Miss Jordan, Mrs K. Cave, Miss Frazer, Mrs Preston, Mrs E. H. McDonald, Mrs Mullings, Mrs N, Fulton, Mrs A. G. Anderson, Miss Anderson, Miss Anderson, Mrs Soundy, Mrs Cork, Mrs Cross, Mr Claud Smith, Mrs A. Gibson, Miss N Murray, Mrs J. Martin, Mrs McDougall, Mrs J McGregor, Mrs H. D. Bobertson, Mrs Tennent Wells, Mrs Hine, Mrs Trevor Austin, Mrs Wotton, Mrs E. Ashton, Mrs A. N. McLeod, Mrs Bicc, Mrs Brandon, Mrs Hammond, Mrs L. Gibson, VJrs Neumann, Mrs J. Gray, Mrs Murdoch, Mrs Lambert, Miss Sampson, Miss Jean Mcilvride, Miss Mary Harvey and many others.