WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 97, 27 April 1939, Page 3

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

WANGANUI FEDERATION ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING The annual council meeting of the Wanganui district. Federation of Women's Institutes was held in the Savage Club Hall yesterday, when delegates from 15 institutes and visiting members to the number of about 130 assembled. The morning proceedings opened with the institute song, followed by the reading of the Aspirations by the president, Mrs. J. A. Shanks, who then extended a welcome to all, with a special word of welcome to Miss A. Kane, Dominion president, also to Mesdames Carey and Mo*??s, of the South Taranaki federation. The report and balance-sheet presented by the secretary and treasurer were adopted. Miss Kane congratulated the federation on the satisfactory state of its finances. An apology was received from the Ruapehu Federation, together with good wishes for a successful meeting. Members of the executive present were: Mrs. J. A. Shanks (president), Mrs. N. Lynch (secretary), Mrs. Williams (treasurer), Miss E. Smith (Westmere), Mrs. J. Gray (Okoia). Mrs. R. J. Glasgow (Turakina), Mrs. Gordon (Hunterville), Denman (Mosston), Stilborn (Mosston), West, Miss B. Young (voluntary organiser). A letter was read from Mr. J. Brine, conveying thanks to the federation for congratulation received on the honour conferred on him by St. John Ambulance. Mrs. Shanks expressed the hope that the incoming committee would use the funds of the federation for the progress of the smaller and out-back institutes. It was proposed and carried that Mr. Robbins be re-appointed as auditor and that a letter of thanks be sent to him for his interest. Aramoho. Deniair, Fordell, Hunterville, Kai Iwi, Kohi, Kaitoke, Maxwell. Makirikiri, Mosston. Okoia, Reynolds, Turakina, and Westmere were well represented at the gathering. All but two institutes responded to the roll call. Miss Kane mentioned that a letter had been received from the High Commission asking that hospitality be extended to W.I. visitors from abroad, similar to that, extended to New Zealanders during their stay overseas at the gathering of countrywomen. The idea is that the overseas visitors would like to see something of the life in New Zealand, and to see the different districts, and it was hoped that people in all parts of the Dominion would offer hospitality during week-ends for the visitors. Mrs. Lynch read a circular re the display of arts and crafts for the Centennial Exhibition, and suggestions re articles were submitted. The two-minute reports of activities of the institutes were read. Mrs. Deans and her co-judge awarded places as follows: --Maxwell 1, Turakina 2. Mosston 3, Reynolds v.h.c., Makirikiri h.c. Two competitions were held. A novelty article costing not more than 2s 6d. This was judged by Mrs. N. Lynch who awarded places as follows: Mrs. Clare (Okoia) 1. Miss E. Smith (Westmere) 2, Mrs. R. J. Glasgow (Turakina) 3. The winners of the "bowl of flowers" competition were Miss Brownlie (Westmere) 1, Mrs. G. R. Jones (Okoia) 2. Afternoon Session The "Ode to Friendship" opened the afternoon session, after which further visitors were welcomed. Mrs. Shanks read a report of the first division council meeting. A vote of thanks was given to Mrs. Shanks for her comprehensive report. A resolution sent in by the Aramoho Institute "That the * W.I. members discourage the manufacture and sale of toys suggestive of warfare,” was lex. Bouquets were presented to Miss A. Kane, Mrs. J. A. Shanks, Mrs. N. Lynch, and Mrs. Williams, and shoulder sprays to other members of the executive and the tellers. Mrs. J. A. Shanks was re-elected president for the ensuing year. The election of the committee resulted as follows: Mesdames Shanks, Williams (Brunswick), Henderson (Turakina), Gould (Aramoho), Cameron (Mosston), Gordon (Hunterville), J. Gray (Okoia), Staite (Maxwell), R. J. Glasgow (Turakina), and Miss Smith (Westmere). Mrs. Shanks returned thanks for the confidence shown in again appointing her president. Mesdames Carey and Morris, of Patea, were the tellers for the election. Miss Kane, the speaker for the

afternoon, expressed pleasure at being present, and congratulated Mrs. Shanks on her report. She spoke on several aspects of the Dominion council meeting, and the important things that delegates take away from the gathering. In regard to the exhibition which is to be hold during the Centennial, Miss Kane gave the delegates some idea of what was required for the women’s section. The month of April was allotted to institute/:, and suggestions for entertainment to be given by institutes were given by the speaker. To ensure the return of articles for exhibition. it was very necessary that they should be securely marked. She endorsed Mrs. Shanks’ remarks that the finances be used for the outback institutes, who need demonstrators and speakers at their meetings. Miss Kane gave an account, of the difficulties of the federation in the far north. The distances are great and the land very hilly, making it a difficult position for organisers and demonstrators to pay visits often. The federation has had to be helped to finance the transport. There were quite a number of Maori institutes in North Auckland, and the members had promised to send articles to the Centennial Exhibition. Miss Kane expressed pleasure that study groups had been formed so that greater interest can be taken in the Pan-Pacific conference. She mentioned several names of delegates from overseas wiio would visit the Dominion for the conference. In case of any emergency or catastrophe arising, Miss Kane thought that the institutes should learn first aid and home nursing, and suggested classes being held, the St. John Ambulance and Red Cross Society being willing

to give aid. She thought that institutes might be prepared to receive children if they had to be evacuated from the towns should the eventuality arise. A register of members was suggested in case of any catastrophe—not necessarily war. but such things as earthquakes. It was hoped the institutes would do something in the matter during the next few months. Miss Kane described the wreath that had been taken by the party overseas to the country women’s conference. Also taken over was a case of toheros and whitebait, for the New Zealand delegates intended to give a lunch featuring these Dominion delicacies. She praised the work of the institutes in this district and urged all to support the movement to the utmost of their ability. Miss E. Sn;ith moved a vote of thanks to Miss Kane for her interesting address and this was carried by acclamation. Speaking on the subject of the drama festival, Miss Smith asked for the support of the institutes, also for the international exhibition which it was proposed to secure for this district. Mrs. Morrison (Maxwell) gave a brief talk on the “Avenue of Remembrance,” speaking of what had been done in the planting of trees, and suggested that a subscription be given to the Tree and Bird Society. Mrs. Clare was thanked for making the floral sprays. The hostesses for the day were members of the Aramoho Institute, who were responsible for the serving of afternoon tea, also morning tea for visitors from a distance. Mrs. Gordon (Hunterville) passed a vote of thanks to all who had helped during the day. Following afternoon tea the Mosston Institute presented the playette “The First Prize.” Members of the Ngaraura Institute, of Pipiriki, gave a poi dance in native costume, also other items. “MYSTERY" PROGRAMME AT FORDELL There was a good attendance at the April meeting of the Fordell Women's Institute, when Mrs. S. E. Lloyd presided and welcomed members and visitors. Bowls of beautiful flowers, entered tor competition, made a bright setting. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect to two late members, Mrs. Carson and Miss H. Henderson General business and matters pertaining to the council meeting were dealt with. A humorous item, "A Garden," was given by Mrs. K. L. Bruce, and Mrs. N. Lynch read an interesting paper on the history of art needlework in various countries. Items were given by a party of “mystery” performers, from behind the screen, these providing much laughter and a good guessing competition as to “who’s who?" Mrs. T. Renshaw was the winner of the competition, and the performers were the committee members. A “picture and word-building” competition arranged by Mrs. Bruce and Miss Mowat, was won by Mrs. Renshaw and Miss Keough. The afternoon tea hostesses were: Mesdames Duncan, Bousiield and Stevens and Misses Hall and N. Christie. The results of the monthly points competitions were: —Bowl of flowers’. Miss Barnes 1, Mrs. Bruce 2 and Mrs. Christie 3. Collection vegetables (6): Miss N. Christie 1, Mrs. Betts 2, Mrs. Renshaw 3. A vote of thanks was given to Mesdames Jeffs and Carroll for judging, and to all who assisted in the programme. The birthday party will be held in May at the Public Hall and the competitions (both open) will be a vase of flowers and novelty article costing not more than 2s.