WOMEN’S DIVISION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 93, 21 April 1939, Page 3

WOMEN’S DIVISION

ANNUAL MEETING OF MARTON BRANCH. The annual general meeting of the Marton branch of the W.D.F.U. was held on Tuesday afternoon, Miss M. K. Simpson presiding over an attendance of twelve. Several apologies were received. The annual report, which was adopted. read as follows: “It has been quite a successful year, although we have not had as many activities as formerly. However, our monthly meetings have been well attended by the committee. The membership, I think, remains about the same; if we have lost a few members, a few new ones have joined. “Mrs. Frederick, of Porewa, reported at a meeting the distress among the natives at Onepuhi. Parcels of clothing were contributed through the branch and were much appreciated. “Mrs. T. Whale attended the conference in Wellington in July. Mrs. J. B. Thorpe was responsible for the sale of disabled soldiers’ leather work, etc. A donation of £1 was sent to the Leper Station, £1 to the Health Camp campaign and also 10s to Mr. Christian, a Pitcairn Islander, who was stranded in New Zealand. | “The annual garden party was j held at ‘Closeburn’ in November and las usual it rained. However, in spite | of the weather, many loyal supporters ■ braved the elements and the sum oi £33 was taken. ' “The branch supplied luncheon for I the provincial meetings held in Mar- | ton and were assisted with afternoon ; teas by the surrounding branches. | South Makirikiri, Bonny Glen, Tutaei nui and Turakina. The money from the garden party, after deducting* expenses, was allocated thus: £lO to Bonny Glen-South Makirikiri, £lO to Marton and £5 to Rest Home Fund. “In October a social afternoon was held in the ladies’ club to c ay goodbye to Miss Taylor when she was given a small parting gift from the branch while a small token of appreciation was given to Mrs. W. F. Stevens who has for several years been the housekeeping secretary and has been a very valuable member. “Invitations were received to attend, the opening of the Rest Home and various garden parties. A pleasant afternoon was spent at ‘Closeburn early in February, when the Bonny Glen-South Makirikiri branch and representatives from the Marton and Tutaenui committees met to say goodbye to Mrs. Duncan Simpson, when she received from the Bonny GlenSouth Makirikiri branch a travelling cushion and from the Marton committee a small token of appreciation of her work and interest in the division. “I was sorry to receive Mrs. R. W. Harris’ resignation as secretary and as there was no time for a meeting and we felt we could not allow Mrs. Harris to go without some little recognition of her services, I was authorised by the committee to convey a small gift which took the form of a pretty powder bowl. I am sure vou will agree that Mrs. Harris was a very useful secretary and her work much appreciated. I think we owe to Mrs. Thorp who, apart from being our treasurer, has upon many occasions placed her drawing-room at our disposal for meetings, a very hearty vote of thanks. “In conclusion I should like to thank all members for their loyal support at all times. Our thanks are also due to the Jockey Club through Mr. Way for the use of the room, Mr. A. C. M. Parkinson, the auditor, and the Press.” The balance-sheet showed that the Community Chest credit balance stood at £33 Is lid, while there was a credit balance of £l6 5s 4d in the general fund. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted:— President. Mrs. D. Willis; vice-pre-sidents, Mesdames P. H. Wood, W. F. • Stevens and Miss M. K. Simpson; secretary, Mrs. A. H. Wing; treasurer, Mrs. J. B. Thorp; housekeeping secretary, Mrs. F. E. Williamson; committee, Mesdames T. Whale, A. Gray, Morgan, Gow, A. A. Williams, E. Thoms, and P. H. Wood; provincial delegate, Mrs. A. A. Williams; advisory members, Mrs. W. F. Stevens and Mrs. F. E. Williamson; hospital visitor, Mrs. P. H. Wood; Press correspondent, Mrs. A. H. Wing; delegate to conference, president and secretary. Votes of thanks were accorded the auditor, Mrs. A. C. M. Parkinson, the Jockey Club for the use of their room and the Press for reports. WANGAEHU BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING HELD The Wangaehu branch of the Women’s Division held its eighth annual meeting on Tuesday, April 18. Mrs. Mackintosh, president, presided. Members present were Mesdames Anderson, W. Baldwin, Connors, Humphries, Liggins, Johns, Mackie, Mercer, Luff, O’Leary, A. Olsen. C. Olsen. Webby, Grant and Misses Baker and R. Honeyman. Apologies for non-at-tendance were received from Mrs. Honeyman and Miss Bignell. A motion of sympathy was passed to all members who had suffered bereavement during the past year, members standing in silence. The treasurer, Mrs. Grant, read her financial statement, which showed a satisfactory balance. In presenting her report on the work done during the year, Mrs. Mackintosh thanked the secretary, treasurer and committee for their help and co-operation during the year. With their loyal support the work of the branch had been considerably lightened. By attending the monthly meetings whenever possible members showed their interest, which went a long way towards the success of the branch. During the winter months a series ' of fortnightly euchre parties had been i held, the main object being to swell the amount sent to the community ] chest. The conference in Welling- : ton, held in July, had been attended i by both the president and delegate. The branch had been honoured by a visit from Mrs. Wickham in July, this being her first visit to a branch after I taking office as Dominion president. I

After giving an interesting talk on the conference, Mrs. Wickham had spoken of the need for a rest home for country women and a place for the training of girls as housekeepers and had told of the generous offer of the New Zealand Sheep Owners’ Federation of the Girls’ Flock House at Awapuni. In February of this year the dream of the W.D.F.U. had been realised and the Girls’ Flock House had been taken over as a rest home. During the year assistance had been given towards the furnishing of the home, the branch donating 10 pairs of bedroom towels, also jam and pickles. Assistance had also been given to the R.S.A., Blind Institute, Makogai lepers and the New Zealand ambulance for Spain fund. The community chest had benefited to the amount of £5. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted:—President, Mrs. Mackintosh (re-elected); secretary, Mrs. Grant; treasurer, Mrs. Mackie; vice-presidents, Mrs. O’Leary, Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. W. Baldwin; committee, president, vice-presidents, sec- > retary and treasurer and Mesdames Peffers, Luff, Johns and Connors; delegates, Mrs. W. Baldwin and Mrs. Johns; advisory members, Mesdames Humphries and Anderson; delegates to conference, Mrs. O'Leary and the president. Mrs. Grant moved a hearty vote of thanks to the president and retiring secretary, which was carried by acclamation. A dainty afternoon tea was then ' served by the hostess. Monthly Meeting The monthly meeting of the above branch was held after the annual meeting. A letter was received from Mrs. Allen tendering her resignation, Ovving to leaving the district. A new member, Mrs. C. Olsen, was warmly welcomed by the president. Trophies for competitions held during the year were won by Mrs. Mercer and Miss A. Castles, who tied for first place. It was decided to hold a series of six fortnightly euchre parties, commencing next week. There will be good prizes and the usual good supper. The next meeting will be held on May 23. Hostesses will be Mesdames Webby, Mackie and Mercer and Mrs. Webby will be in charge of demonstration. Hostesses for the first card evening will be Mesdames Mackintosh, Anderson, Mackie and Grant. UTIKI BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The annual meeting of the Utiku branch of the W.D.F.U. was h?ld recently. The president, Mrs. L. A. Hebberd, was in the chair. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted:—President, Mrs. H. L. Hebberd (re-elected); vice-pre-sidents, Mesdames C. Transom, P. Becker and J. Ellison; secretary, Miss E. Transom; committee, Mesdames C. H. Transom, Kendall, Becker, Arnott, E. C. Gibbs, Pragnell, Dellow, Hebberd, Anderson, Beuck, Wilson, O’Connor; housekeeping secretary, Miss E. Transom; advisory members’ Mrs. Becker, Miss Transom; hospital visitors, Mesdames Kendall and E. C. Gibbs; delegates to conference, Mrs. Hebberd and. Miss Transom; provincial delegate, Mrs. Becker; hon. auditor Mr. W. H. O’Connor. The annual hospital report and annual housekeeping and dressmaking reports were read by Mrs. Kendall and Mrs. Becker respectively.