FARMERS' UNION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION

WOMEN’S DIVISION ACTIVITIES.

The rest room provided by the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union at the Wanganui A. and P. Show on Wednesday and Thursday was very much appreciated by the mothers, and particularly those whe came in from the country. Considering what a tremendous boon this is to the country women that it’s a great pity that the A. and P. Association cannot find better accommodation for the W.DkF.U. rest room. Mrs Wickham (president), Miss Cole (secretary), Mrs Preston and Miss Jordon were in attendance.

The Wanganui branch of the W.D.F.U. are holding a “shop day” the first week in December, and gifts will be welcomed. The Stratford branch second birthday party was a great success. Over twenty members were present, also the presidents from the neighbouring branches. Mrs W. J. Polson gave the birthday address, after which Mrs McDowell gave a demonstration in soft toy-making. Then came tea served in Mrs Thompson’s beautiful garden, with its four hundred different specimens of rhododendrons and native shrubs and plants.

Stratford and Toko branches are keenly interested in the Women’s Exchange and it will not be their fault if Taranaki Province has not the biggest showing at the Dominion Conference. A very enjoyable afternoon party was given on Wednesday in the hall by the Cardiff members oJ the Stratford branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. The tea tables were decorated with Iceland poppies and afternoon tea was served.

ZMrs Phillips (president) spoke of the aims and objects of the division and several matters of interest to the country woman. Hearty thanks were accorded the Cardiff members for their hospitality. Songs by Mrs Davis (Stratford), and Miss Gadsby were much enjoyed. Several competitions caused a great deal of amusement, Mrs Burton (Midhirst) winning one and Mrs Percy Thomson (Stratford) the other one. Pahiatua Branch. The Woman’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, Pahiatua branch, met in the Pahiatua County Chambers .on Tuesday afternoon. Mrs J. D. Piper presided over a good attendance of members. The meeting opened with the reading of the Women’s Creed. Correspondence was read by the secretary, explaining the procedure of the correspondence school inaugurated by the Education Departmcr for providing education for children living in isolated districts. This applies both to primary and secondary departments, and the scheme should be a great boon to children living remote from high schools. Under this system they arc prepared for the Public Service and matriculation exams if they wish. In the secondary department a great den] of prominence is being given to agriculture and a special teacher has been appointed to take charge of this subject. A good circulating library is provided in both departments and children are allowed to select books from catalogues sent to them. All postage is free. This also applies to the library books. Preliminary arrangements were made for the garden party which is to be held in the Pahiatua district in February. Feilding Branch. The Feilding branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union held its monthly meeting last week, Mrs M. D. Coloquhuon presiding. Mrs Colquhoun reported that the Bring and Buy afternoon held in October had been a great success. Mrs K. Ross, West Street, had kindly lent her house for the occasion and the afternoon had been most enjoyable, nearlv 30 members and friends attending. ‘Two amusing competitions helped to swell the takings, which will be used towards shop day which the committee are busy arranging. It was decided to hold shop day early in December and special efforts are being made to raise a substantial sum for the housekeeping auxiliary. Four housekeepers are employed within the branch. . , t +1 Notice has been received that, the quarterly meeting of the Wellington Provincial Council will be held in Feilding next month, when delegates from Taihapc, Ohingaiti, Hunterville, Marton, Bulls and Feilding will attend to discuss matters of interest relative to the midsummer executive meeting, which is to be held in Dunedin some time in January. Activities at Uruti.

The monthly meeting of the Uruti branch of the. Women’s Division was held on Wednesday at the residence of Mrs J. Smith, Mrs Butt presiding over 15 members. An interesting report was read of the meeting of the housekeepers’ auxiliary in Palmerston North i October 21.

An invitation from the Urenui branch to a social afternoon in Urenui on November 17 was accepted. Two new members were enrolled. A vote of thangs was accorded Mrs Smith for the use of her home for the meetings. The meeting concluded with afternoon tea provided by Mrs Butt and Mrs G. Oxen ham. Masterton Branch. The Masterton branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union has decided to rent a room in Perry’s Buildings. Perry Street, and establish a rest and club room for town and country members of the division. An annual rest room subscription of 2s 6d is being made, and an effort is being made to raise funds by a sale on Saturday, November 22. Donations of money or furnishings for the room are being invited. Palmerston North. The Palmerston North branch of the W.D.F.U. was held this week, Mrs W. Howell (Raumi) presiding. The secretary presented a balancesheet from the recent street stall, which showed a credit of £8 ss. This was considered a very satisfactory result. everything being sold out early in the day. The annual reports of all the branches were .aid on the table. Mrs F. N. Andrews having placed her house and grounds at the disposal of members for an afternoon party, November 26 was the date decided on for this function, several ladies offering to assist Dlrs Andrews. It. was arranged to have a “bring and buy” stall, other arrangements being left to the hostesses. On the motion of Mesdames Howell and Bond, Dlrs Shaw was appointed advisory members in place of Dlrs Carson, who has left the district. The president and secretary will now represent the branch in this capacity on the Housekeepers ’ Auxi 1 iary. The loss to the branch through Dlrs Carson’s removal from the district was referred to by members and, on the motion of Dlrs Howell and Dlrs Bond, it was resolved to place on record appreciation of her services to the branch as first president, a position she occupied for three years, and also to the