FORDELL INSTITUTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 2

FORDELL INSTITUTE

An .enjoyable social evening was held at Fordell on Friday, April 21, to celebrate the first birthday of the Fordell Institute. In spite of rough stormy weather there were over 80 visitrs present from neighbouring institutes and the surrounding district, besides local members. Decorations of wonderfully tinted autumn leaves, French marigolds and Iceland poppies toned well with the institute colours which are orange-flame and black.

After the president, Mrs. Dale, had welcomed the visitors, and the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed, the programme for the evening was proceded -with. A vocal duet by Miss I. Howie and Mr. J. Howie was enthusiastically received and encored. Members of the Westmere Institute then staged a novel dress parade of old-fashioned frocks, accompanied by songs of tho same period pleasingly rendered by Mrs. Corliss and Mrs. XVilson, the item being entitled “Looking Backward.” Mrs. Dale then introduced the speaker of the evening, Mr. Nolan, who gave a most interesting and lucid address on a subject which, to many of his hearers, had been until this time a name only—Douglas Social Credit. Mr. Nolan showed how the system could function ■with regard to currency, taxation and the national debt, concluding with some humorous extracts from a mythical Encyclopaedia Britannica 1999, on the subjects of gold, hanking and the unbelievable stupidity of tho “Ancients,” away back in ’33! A hearty vote of thanks to the speaker for his instructive address was proposed and carried by acclamation.

After a charming little song and encore by Mrs. Aiken, Miss E. Smith (Westmere) gave two enjoyable violin numbers and Mr. J. Howie’s artistic rendering of “Pale Moon” was received with emphatic applause.

Mrs. (Dale thanked all those who had helped with the programme, especially tho XVestmere lumbers who had come so far in such inclement weather We were glad to have with us the president of the XVanganui Federation, Mrs. Millen, who spoke a few words of congratulation and encouragement to the institute which she had been instrumental in forming one year ago. Mrs. Millen also kindly judged the points competition (a plate of assorted savouries) placing Mrs. R. Campbell, who had a wonderful collection, first, Miss N. Christie second, and Mrs. Lloyd third.

After an attractive supper provided by the members had been dispensed, Mr. J. Macßeth on behalf of the visitors thanked tho institute for a very pleasant evening, washing them “Many Happy Returns”—a wish accompanied by “musical honours.”

Excellent dance music was provided by a gramophone (kindly lent by Mrs. Green,, by Mrs. Nisbet and by Mr. C. Higgie. and a happy evening was brought to a close by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” Tho next meeting will be held on

May 16, when there will be a dressmaking demonstration, a clothes drive and a competition for the best article of clothing made from something old.