TAIHAPE BRANCH W.D.F.U.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 3

TAIHAPE BRANCH W.D.F.U.

ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The Taihape branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers Union has just completed another year of steady progress. The annual meeting of the branch was held on Wednesday, when the president <Mrs. C. E. Laidlay) presided over an attendance consisting of Mesdames C. Steedman, R. Dobson, F. Howie, A. Adiam, H. Belk, P. Munro, W. H. Adair, R. Floyd, W. Bosher, T. Platt, J. Banks, W. Duole, W. H. Horton, G. N. Mac Diarmid, Stoddart, 11. M. Hay, and the secretary (Mrs. H. Jensen). Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Mesdames E. Gilbert, Speedy, Wilson, R. Gibbs, Harris, Neagle, D. Batley, 11. Dodds. Annual Report. The president presented the annual report, which stated that the year s work began in May with the wool campaign, which was conducted on different lines this year with an exhiibtion of antiques, curios, produce, cake and sweets stalls. The wool display was perhaps the best held in Taihape and the popularity of the campaign was refletced in the keen competition and interest shown by the community and the district. Woollen garments of all descriptions, woollen mats and other articles, were displayed, and the work in all classes was of a very high standard. The inclusion of an exhibition of antiques and curious proved popular and the produce, cake and sweet stalls doing brisk business, helped to raise funds for the branch. Special thanks are due to all who assisted to make the wool campaign such a success. "Our housekeepers have been in demand, as has also the division dressmaker, who has visited the district twice during her rounds," continued the report. "The thanks of the branch are due to Mrs. F. Howie for her assistance to the division in several different directions. She also, with Mrs. McHardy, represented our branch at the conference.

"On February 16 the Wellington Central Provincial Executive quarterly meeting was held at Taihape, all branches being well represented. I wish to thank especially the ladies of our committee, the Utiku ladies, and all who worked so hard to make the day a success.

"On show day the W.D.F.U., in conjunction with the Plunket Society, ran a refreshment booth on the show ground. This, and our wool campaign were our chief efforts to raise funds for the branch.

"We hope that six girls will go from this branch to the girls’ educational week to be held in Palmerston North in May. "To those who have suffered bereavements during the year we offer our heartfelt sympathy. "Our thanks are due to our hardworking secretary, Mrs. H. Jensen. We also wish to thank the Press for their assistance. My personal thanks are also due to our energetic commute for the staunch support and goodwill they have shown toward me during my term of office, and to all members and friends who have helped in any way during the year. I earnestly hope that the coming year will be a happy one for the members of our division."

The report was adopted. The secretary’s annual report stated that the number of financial members on the roll was practically the same as last year. Twelve applications for housekeepers have been received during the year. Mrs. Field, the provincial housekeeping secretary in Palmerston North, deserved special thanks for her asistance in this connection. The W.D.F.U. dressmaker had also done good work. The report was adopted.

Election or UMccrs. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as under:—President, Mrs. C. E. Laidlay; vice-presi-dents, Mesdames F. Howie, H. Belk, A. Adiam; treasurer, Mrs. R. T. Dobson; housekeeping secretary, Mrs. A. Adiam; committee, Mesdames P. Munro, W. H. Adair, W. Bosher, T. Platt, J. Banks, W. Doole, W. H. Horton, G. N. Mac Diarmid, Stoddart, H. M. Hay, H. Jensen, J. Williams, Wilson, R. Gibbs, E. Gilbert, A. W. Bicknell, C. Steedman; advisory members, Mesdames Laidley and Adiam; delegates to provincial executive, Mrs. F. Howie and the secretary. Mrs. Howie spoke in praiseworthy terms of the work of the president (Mrs. Laidley) during the past year. In responding, Mrs. Laidley said that lit was a privilege and a pleasure to belong to the division. Mrs. Howie also referred to the services rendered by the retiring secretary (Mrs. Jensen) and added that the branch had shown its appreciation in a tangible way. Mrs. R. T. Dobson spoke in a similar strain. The auditor (Mr. C. E. Darvill) was acordcd a vote of thanks for hrs services. Afternoon tea was served at the conclusion of the meeting.