WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 253, 25 October 1937, Page 2

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

SIX MONTHS’ ACTIVITIES WINNING TVvO-MINUTE REPORTS At the Ruapehu Federation halfyearly council meeting held at Mangjweka last Thursday, Rangiwaea Institute had the honour of winning first place for the two-minute reports, which were judged by the Dominion president, Mrs W. Deans, assisted by Miss J. Bankier Young, president of the Wanganui Federation. The report submitted was as follows: Yet another six months have passed, and members and delegates from the ten institutes comprising the Ruapehu Federation meet once more to discuss matters, and report on their various activities for this period. Well, Rangiwaea cannot be accused of inactivity, as the following brief resume will prove. Our membership now stands at 25, and meetings for the most part have been well attended, and have baen bright and happy. Competitions have been well contested, and demonstrations watched with keen interest. Competitions are as follow: Best iced cake, buttonhole worked at meeting in 10 minutes, eggless cake with recipe, patched garment, and the best ironed shirt. The April competition, best report for annual council meeting, produced some very creditable work. In addition to demonstrations of cross-stitch in tapestry work, cellaphane belts, and wool mats, two fine addresses have been given, one by our very popular federation president, whom we were so pleased to have with us at our July meeting, and who gave us a splendid account of the round table conference recently held at Wellington. The other address, on gardening, by the Rev. Mr King, of Taihape, was very informative and must have been of great assistance to our members, most of whom are enthusiastic gardeners. At the May meeting the “Golden Thread” was inagura\*d, the subject being “Women of the World.’’ This has been a great source of interest. The social half -hour at our meetings, usually take the form of community singing, dancing or drama. An old-time dance —the Maxina—was taught at one meeting and was greatly appreciated by our young members. In the drama world we have held our own. Rangiwaea entered a team for the drama festival held at Taihape on July 28, and gained first place. At our September meeting a bring-and-buy stall was held for the lepers, and a goodly sum was realised for this most deserving cause. And so, it can be seen that Rangiwaea, although situated some twenty-four miles from a town is not backward in institute affairs.” WANGANUI FEDERATION At the Wanganui Federation meeting held at Westmere on Friday, when there was an attendance of about 200, it was announced that the Westmere Institute had won first place, with Maxwell and Deniair (the youngest institute) equal for a close second. The reports from this federation were sent to Miss Jerome Spencer, of Hawke’s Bay, founder of the movement in New Zealand, who kindly judged them. The reports are as fol10Wa. —; Westmere. The past six months have been a happy, busy time in the Westmere Institute, and we fell that we have advanced in interest, friendship, and sympathy with one another and with the movement. This has been largely due to our energetic sub-committees, whom we have lo thank for arranging demonstrations, flower shows, and concerts. The garden circle has benefited by co-operation with the children’s garden circle, and institute members have been helpful in giving suggestions which resulted in demonstrations of marquetry, brass and pewter, and wood-fibre, while our nome-nursing classes wilt prove of value to all who attended them. The music and drama people have assisted

at various functions in town and country, and have increased their membership. The sick and lonely have ben visited by our vigilance committee, who also took charge of a collection of clothes for the needy, and the arts and crafts circle have been at work on the institute banner. Amongst the addresses we have had were Airs Patterson’s account of the Washington Conference, Miss Young’s report of the round table conference, and Mrs Rowe’s address on “Care of the Hair.” The continuity of our liv ternational Golden Thread has been maintained by travel talks—Jamaica and Egypt—a competition, and a display of foreign objects; while one member wrote an article on “Thinking Internationally,” for our Institute News. Most of our members take this little paper, which is another link binding us to one another and to the institute. Deniair. An interesting event took place in the newly-formed railway deviation camp at Deniair on July 1, when the inaugural meeting of the Deniair Women’s Institute was held. Miss J. Young, then voluntary organiser for the Wanganui District Federation, addressed the meeting on the principles and objects of the institute movement. Mrs Farley also spoke, and dealt with the responsibilities of the Women’s Institute membership, and urged all members to practise the ideals of the institute. Twenty-three keenly interested members were enrolled, also the officers duly elected, the first meeting being scheduled for July 15. At this first meeting Miss Young again attended, reading the rules of the institute to a good attendance of enthusiastic members. A hearty welcome was extended to six new members. A very witty talk on a trip to Honolulu was given by Mrs J. Farley, and greatly enjoyed by all. The “Funniest Oid Fashioned Hat” was to be the competition for the next meeting. Members were also asked to bring along a sixpenny mystery parcel to be sold for the benefit

of the institute funds. At the second meeting, after routine business had been dealt with, live new members were enrolled. A most instructive and enjoyable hour was then spent with officers of the Wanganui-Rangitikei Power Board, who gave a demonstration of cooking by electricity, and an interesting explanation of the small electrical appliances on view. This was very much appreciated. Our last meeting, held on September 16, was well attended, a cheerful and happy spirit prevailing. After general business and correspondence had been attended to, two new members were enrolled, this bringing the total membership to thirty. A very encouraging number considering l?.e short life ot the institute. Our institute emblem flower, chosen by the members, is the marigold, our colours being orange and brown. We are fortunate to have among our members a very efficient speaker in the person of Miss Facer, who then gave an instructive address on First Aid, this being listened to very attentively by all present. Miss Facer is also a very proficient cook, and judged the competition for the month, namely six whit? sczios. The sixpenny lucky dip caused a little amusement, the proceeds of this going into the institute funds. The meeting then concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

(Vanity Fair Continued on Page 12).