W.D.F.U.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 106, 8 May 1933, Page 2

W.D.F.U.

TAIHAPE BRANCH ANNUAL AIEETING HELD The annual meeting of the Taihapc branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held on Wednesday, May 3, when the president (Airs Al. Adlam), occupied the chair. Also present were Alcsdames J. Williams, Alarshall, D. Gordon, Steedman, Speedy, Belk, H. Bradley, Hill, Siddle, Ash. Jensen, Boon, de Lautour, McGuinn, Aluir, E. Gilbert, Bicknell, Howie, Miss Long and the secretary (Air. L. A. Hcbberd). Airs. Harris, of Alarton, honorary secretary of the Wellington Central Provincial Council, was also in attendance. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Alcsdames R. J. Gibbs, G. Terry, Alartin and Perry. The president presented the annual report, which read as follows: “The Taihape branch still continues to take a keen interest in the affairs of the division. The monthly meetings are always well attended; indeed, as a president, I cannot speak too highly of the wonderful help and encouragement this interest on the part of the committee has been. The branch was represented at conference by Alcsdames Gordon, Hebberd and myself. Our town members organised a knitting class at the beginning of the winter, when some very pleasant afternoons were spent, and a lot of useful i.deas exchanged. Our wool display was held at the end of June and was a most successful affair. The Parish Hall proved quite inadequate to accommodate the large number of people who attended, and the committee was very sorry indeed that a good many of the patrons were unable to get a good look at the display owing to the crowded condition of the hall. Air. A. Stuart, M.P., accompanied by Airs. Stuart, did us the honour of journeying from Alarton in most inclement weather to perform the opening ceremony. Airs. (Dr.) Hay very kindly allowed us the use of her home as a receiving depot. We are deeply grateful to Airs. Hay for the wonderful help she has given us in so many different ways. Our sincere gratitude is also extended to Atisses Addis for their beautiful selections of music played during the afternoon. We are also indebted to the ladies who kindly did the judging for us—Mesdames Livermore, Ryan and Marshall. The town hall has been engaged for our display on Alay 31. In October a novelty afternoon was held, when members brought any new idea they could display, to discuss the merits thereof. In September our Dominion president (Airs. C. C. Jackson), paid us a visit. She was accompanied by the Dominion secretary (Aliss Conner). Airs. Jackson’s address was particularly interesting to members. The Anglican Bulb Show was being held at the time, so our visitors were shown tho wonderful display of spring llow’crs and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. In October we established the women’s exchange. This venture is proving quite successful, and as we only “run” the shop one day a week, wc feel we are not doing any real harm to the business people of the town. The shop is conducted by twu different members of the committee each Saturday and with Mrs. Williams as treasurer everything is running quite smoothly. We have a rest room fund in connection with the exchange, and to augment this fund we ran a shop day in December which realised £2 12s. For the same fund we held a dance i in Alataroa and cleared £2 13s 9d. The greater part of the work in connection with this function was done quite willingly and cheerfully by Alcsdames Steedman and Alarshall. The Borough Council has accepted an offer from us to share the expenses of some such needed improvements to the public rest room. As this room is chiefly used by country people, we are more than pleased to be able to help in this matter.

In February the provincial council met in Taihape and we spent a very interesting and pleasant time with the visiting delegates. There is still a steady demand in the district for our housekeepers. There have been eight different women employed during the year, with a total of 59 weeks’ engagement.

There is also quite a demand for tho sewing woman in the district. This scheme is new and has required quite a lot of adjusting, but there is now no doubt about its popularity.

It is understood that only members of the division are eligible to engage either housekeepers or sewing women. The annua) subscription is only 2s fid, and if paid as it falls due would greatly facilitate the smooth running of affairs in the branch.

The work of arranging for housekeepers and sewing women is in the capable hands of our secretary, Airs Hebberd, but I consider the time ah? come when we should spread these duties a little.

An honorary secretary has quite enough to do without this other work but there is one thing certain, that if we can tsill got Airs. Hebberd to carrv on the work of manager of our housekeeper and sewing women activities, we will be doing a. groat thing for the branch; more especially as she is a member of the Dominion executive in this capacity and is thoroughly con versant with everything connected with the work.

Our shop day for the community chest fund reaiisod £fi odd, and Iho committee’s thanks is extended to our friends, both town and country, who so generously helped us.

fn conclusion, I would like to tender my sincere thanks to the committee for its wholehearted support and cooperation during my term of office and hope that tho same may be extended to mv successor.

Tho balance-sheet disclosed a credit of £l3 6s 4d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Election of Officers The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Mrs. D. Gordon; vice-presidents, Mesdames M. Adlam, F. Howie, A. W. Bicknell; joint secretaries, Mesdames Hebberd and Jensen; treasurer, Mrs. W. J. Williams; advisory members, Mesdames Gordon and Hebberd; provincial delegates, Mesdames F. Howie, Williams, Hebberd; executive committee, Mesdames McGuinn, Ash, Boon, Marshall, E. Gilbert, H. Bradley. General Mrs. Harris (Marton), spoke on the women’s exchange ana a lengthy discussion ensued, some members speaking in favour of the exchange, while others spoke against’ it. Mrs. de Lautour said that she was pleased to be present and added that she reaiisod that the W.D.F.U. was doing much good work. She extended an invitation from Kev. E. T. King to all present to partake of afternoon tea at the chrysanthemum show.

Mrs. Howie paid a high tribute to the work of the retiring president, Mrs Adlam, stating that Mrs. Adlam had carried out her duties in a highly efficient manner and the branch owed her a deep debt of gratitude. Mrs. Howie’s remarks were endorsed by the committee and Mrs. Adlam was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.