W.D.F.U.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 115, 18 May 1939, Page 2

W.D.F.U.

WANGANUI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Wangainui Provincial Executive was held in the Y.M.C.A. Lounge yesterday. Mrs. A. H. McLean, president, was in the chair. Others present were Mrs. A. Morrison (Waver ley), Mrs. Carson (Brunswick). Mrs. W. J. Polson (Mangawhero), Mrs. M. V. Pratt (Westmere), Mrs. J. Low (Makirikiri), Mrs. E. L. Sommerville (Raetihi), Mrs. Soundy and Mrs. J. C. Wickham (Wanganui), Mrs. S. Scott (Wanganui), Miss Polson (Wanganui), Mrs. J. Gray (Okoia), Miss Wyley (Fordell), Mrs. A. Verry and Mrs. J. G. Verry (Waitotara), Mrs. W. Dobie (Waitotara), Miss J. McDonald (Mangamahu), Mrs. W. Baldwin (Wangaehu), Mrs. Newland (Waverley). After the reciting of the Creed, motions of sympathy were passed to those who had suffered bereavement .since last meeting, all standing in silence. | The minutes of the last meeting were read by Miss Wylie and were I passed. Before reading her report, Mrs. McLean welcomed all present, also the new members and said they were always glad to see others from outside districts at any of the provincial meetings. Mrs. Wickham moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. McLean for her : eport and excellent work during the year. Mrs. McLean was presented with a spray of roses. Mrs. McLean and Mrs. Wickham (housekeepers’ secretary) were each presented with a book by Mrs. W. J. Polson. Mrs. Wickham returned thanks for the gift and was presented with a spray of berries. A second lovely spray was handed to Mrs. McLean by Mrs. W. Baldwin. Mrs. Wickham, in her housekeepers’ report, stated that 30 housekeepers had been sent to urgent cases. She gave a resume of the work accomplished during the year. I A report of the work done by the W.D.F.U. dressmaker was given by Mrs. W. J. Polson, who congratulated Miss B. Thompson (dressmaker) on her work, and several delegates also spoke of her good work. Mrs. Polson was presented with a spray of chrysanthemums. The secretary’s report and balancesheet were presented by Mrs. Wickham. She spoke of the pleasure she ! had derived from the work of the I secretaryship of the Housekeepers’ I Auxiliary and expressed regret that she could not carry on. She took the opportunity of thanking all who had helped her. Mrs. Wickham told of the various provincial meetings she had attended in different parts of New Zealand and spoke of the great progress of the W.D.F.U. throughout the Dominion. Miss J. McDonald expressed appreciation of the housekeeping work done by Mrs. Wickham. The election of officers resulted as follows: President. Mrs. A. H. McLean (re-elected unanimously); secretary and treasurer, Miss Wylie; housc;keeper secretary, Miss J. McDonald; I assistant housekeeping secretaries, ; Mesdames Soundy and S. Scott; vicei presidents, Mesdames New land (Waverley), Wickham (Wangaehu), |w. Baldwin (Wangaehu); committee, | Mesdames S. Scott (Wanganui), Verry (Waitotara), J- Low (Makirikiri); delegates to National Council of Women, Mesdames J. C. Wickham, F. Spurdie, A. H. McLean, Miss J. McDonald; delegate to conference, Mrs. F. Spurdie. Mrs. W. J. Polson proposed that an organiser be appointed. It was decided to hold this matter over until next meeting. The presidents from the various branches reported that the memberships of the W.D. were increasing steadily. An announcement was made re a i Young Farmers’ ball to be held shortly. Mrs. Wickham congratulated Mrs. W. Baldwin on her appointment to the centennial committee. Annual Report The annual report stated: “In presenting to you the eighth annual report, of the Wanganui Provincial Executive, I should like to congratulate the members on the progress the organisation has made throughout. the Dominion. “It has been a very eventful year and we have been stirred in turn by a political election, war clouds hovering threateningly near and, last but not least, the decline in the prices of our products. Perhaps one good thing that is eventuating is that at last the farmers seem determined to get together and seek a remedy. “In almost all our branches the membership has increased during the year and good work in various ways has been done and interest in the work of the division sustained. “The opening of a rest home in Palmerston North for country women was, to division members, the realisation of a dream of many years and we are glad to know that our country women are availing themselves of the opportunity to have a holiday in this beautiful home. We are very grateful to the Sheepowners’ Federation for making this possible by their generosity. Our branches have all shown real interest in the home and made contributions in money and gifts. “A very happy social function took place last July, when a tea party was arranged at short notice as a welcome back to Mrs. Wickham as Dominion president. About forty representatives of the branches attended and a pleasant hour was spent. “We have had four well attended and interesting meetings during the year, and the small executive has met three times. “Your delegates to the National Council of Women have attended regu- < larly the meetings of the council and have brought to the W.D.F.U. various remits for discussion. “The weather was delightfully fine for our annual up-river picnic and it