W.D.F.U.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 102, 3 May 1938, Page 9

W.D.F.U.

WAITOTARA BRANCH The first annual meeting of the Waitotara branch of the W.D.F.U. was held in the supper room on April 28. There was a large attendance, including Mrs. A. H. McLean (provincial president.) and Miss Matthews (provincial secretary). Mrs. Hartwell (president) presided. The creed was read and then all joined in the singing of the New Zealand Anthem, Mrs. E. McGregor playing the accompaniment. A number of apologies were received. A letter from Mrs. McPhail was read wishing the branch every success in the coming year and said how pleased she and Mrs. Polson, as organisers of the branch, were at the wonderful progress made during the year. In presenting the first annua; report, the president said it was eleven months since the branch was formed with a membership of eighteen, the number now being sixty-four (all financial), the average attendance being 30. She thanked an members for their loyal co-operation and the many I who had helped with the social part 'oi the branch. A play-reading circle had been formed and although the attendance had not been liege, happy hours had been spent. She thanked Mrs. J. Verry and others who had helped in this connection. Special thanks were due to Mrs. Laird, not only for her work as secretary, but for arranging so many pleasant afternoons, and all the work she had done to make the branch the success it is. Thanks were extended to all who had given donations and prizes and she looked forward to another happy and successful year. The secretary (Mrs. Laird) then read the balance-sheet, showing a satisfactory balance of £lB 5s sd. Mrs. Laird also gave an account of the housekeepers’ and dressmakers’ work; during the year three housekeepers had. been employed in the Upper Waitotara and no financial assistance had been required. The dressmaker had been engaged for ten weeks and had been employed by eight members and was at present engaged forty miles up the Waitotara River. Both the housekeepers and dressmaker had been a great boon to country members, especially those living in the backblocks. Mrs. Parsons, vice-president, spoke of the efficient manner in which Mrs. Hartwell had carried out her duties as president and of Mrs. Laird (secretary) for all the work she had done for the branch and for the splendid balance-sheet presented. Mrs. McLean then took the chair for the election of officers, which were as follows:—President, Mrs. Eric McGregor (Mrs. Hartwell did not seek re-election); vice-presidents, Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. Laird, Mrs. Hartwell and Mrs. Lee; treasurer, Mrs. A. 1 Verry; secretary, Mrs. J. Verry (Mrs. Laird did not seek re-election); advisory members, Mrs. Hodgetts and Mrs. Thorne; delegates to provincial meetings, Mrs. A. Verry and Mrs. J. Verry; committee, Mesdames R. Verry, W. Dobie, P. Leahy, P. Harting, S. Warner and I. D. Blackie. Mrs. McLean then addressed the meeting, congratulating the branch on the success of the year’s work and said it had given her much pleasure at being present. Miss Mathews also spoke of the progress made and the splendid brl-ance-sheet, and wished the new officers happiness and success in the coming year. A vote of thanks was passed to the chair and to the auditor, Mr. I. D. Blackie. Shoulder sprays were presented to Mrs. McLean, Mrs. Hartwell, Mrs. Laird, Mrs. R. Verry, Mrs. A. Verry and Mrs. J. J. Hurley. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mesdames P. Hartmg, J. J. Hurley, Thorne, and Miss Betty Watson. The attendance prize presented by Mrs. Laird resulted in a draw, the winner being Mrs. Hodgetts. There were seven members who h.r 1 not missed a meeting. A prize was also given to the youngest member. Mary Hodgetts, who had not missed a meeting.