WANGANUI TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 37, 13 February 1941, Page 2

WANGANUI TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD

i INTERESTING TRAVEL TALK. ■, Mrs. A. Mays presided over the first i meeting of the year of the TownsI women’s Guild held yesterday afternoon in the Victoria Hall. The chairwoman, Mrs. Wagstaff, was unable to attend owing to the illness of her mother. The meeting opened with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by silent prayer. Mrs. Mays welcomed all present, including new members. A special word of welcome was extended to Miss Blyth, a visitor from Japan. Sympathy was expressed with those who had suffered bereavement. The secretary, Mrs. M. A. Archibald, read the minutes, which were confirmed, and Miss Cole presented the financial statement. Correspondence included a letter of thanks from the Army, Navy and Air Force Fair Committee, also a letter from the Women’s War Service Auxiliary enclosing a questionnaire. A letter of thanks was received from a soldier for a parcel which had reached him on New Year’s Day. Miss Laird, the speaker for the afternoon, gave a talk on her experiences during her trip to England, and also gave her impressions of Scotland, where she stayed for some months. She gave interesting descriptions of motor tours and the places visited, including Paisley, with its fine abbey and the well-known cotton mills; the Clyde with its spectacle of shipping, and the Clyde Valley orchards. "Spring comes suddenly in Scotland,” said Miss Laird, who went on to speak of the beauty of the trees all clothed in a pale delicate green, the wonderful sight of the blossoms in the orchards, the fine trees and countryside, miles of beautifully clipped hedges and the old stone walls built without mortar. Visits were paid to the birthplace of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, the speaker describing the house. Edinburgh, where the Castle was visited, also a show where the visitor saw some marvellous needlework and knitted shawls that would go through a wedding ring. Visits were also paid to Cornwall and Wales and a motor tour made from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. Miss Laird gave many impressions and experiences of her stay in Scotland and spoke of the outbreak of war, the black-outs, evacution of children from the cities, and of the severe snowstorms before she left on her return journey to New Zealand. The speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks with acclamation. During the afternoon songs were given by Mrs. Hodge, accompanied on the piano by Miss Fennell. They were presented with sprays. Three new members, Mesdames Clare, Smith and Carvell were welcomed by the gathering.