Woman’s World

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 279, 25 November 1943, Page 2

Woman’s World

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Mrs. Gordon Robertson, Carlton Avenue, has returned from Christchurch. Mrs. R. J. Dendle. of Christchurch, is the guest of Mrs. R. V. Foster, Wicksteed Street. Mrs. Hugh Graham is a Wanganui visitor to the South Island. Mrs. Chailoner Nixon has arrived in New Zealand from India and will visit Wanganui next week. HITHER AND THITHER Domestic Help and Age Benefit. Speaking at the W.D.F.U. provincial meeting yesterday on the question of domestic help in the home, particularly in respect to country mothers, the president, Mrs. J. C. Wickham, said she considered that all restrictions should be removed from the earning of old-age beneficiaries. It took away all the idea of honouring those who had grown old in the service of their country. It had been a beautiful thought in the minds of those who had originated it, but it had been completely spoilt by all the restrictions and regulations now attached to it. These restrictions had had a most detrimental effect on the work of the Women’s Division, whose best housekeepers had been women over sixty who were now prevented from earning the wages offering. Farewell Party. An afternoon tea party was given by the committee and choir of the League of Mothers yesterday in Dustin’s tearoom to farewell two committee members, Mrs. Mew and Mrs. Gentry, who are leaving Wanganui. Mrs. Mew has acted as pianist for the league and choir. The guests of honour were each presented with a small gift and a spray by the president, Mrs. E. W. Carter. Songs were sung by Mesdames Morrison, Vollemaere, Palmer and Berry; duets by Mesdames Lockett and Rait and Mesdames Williams and Bellringer, and recitations by Mrs. F. Reid. Mrs. Williams was the accompanist. Prisoners of War Relations.

There was an attendance of 60 at the Prisoners of War Relations meeting held yesterday in the Y.M.C.A.Y.W.C.A. Lounge. Beautiful delphiniums, roses and other flowers had been arranged for the occasion by Mrs. R. Orton. Mrs. Douglas Wilson presided and read extracts from the latest British P.O.W. journal. Letters were read and Mrs. Thompson was congratulated on having heard that her son has got back to Cairo. It was decided to hold the December meeting a week earlier than usual, the day to be the third Wednesday instead of the fourth. The well-stocked trading stall was soon depleted of goods. Those in charge were Mesdames Lee, Hendrick, Aspinall and Baldwin. The competition winners were: Mrs. Currie, dinner; Miss Kate Duke, Donald Duck. Afternoon tea was in charge of Mesdames Johnston, B. Johnston and Taylor.

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS DAUGHTERS’ EVENING A variation from their usual end-of-year meetings, was a “Daughters’ Night” held by the Wanganui branch of the League of Mothers on Tuesday in Victoria Hall. The president, Mrs. E. W. E. Carter, welcomed the gathering which included husbands of memoers, and thanked the daughters for arranging the programme. A brief business session was followed by an admission service for 16 new members, when the president explained the aims and objects of the league. The running of the social part of the meeting was then handed over to Mrs. E. Crosby, as president, and Mrs. S. Thompson, as secretary. Other members of the committee were Misses Marcia ' Mew, Marie Vollemaere, Cecily Greager, Muriel Butler and Joan Curtis. Bowls of Iceland poppies decorated the stage and small tables. That the programme provided was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated was proved by the applause accorded the items, which were as follows: — Pianoforte duet, Misses Marcia Mew and Marie Vollemaere; vocal solo, Miss Cecily Greager; recitations, Miss Dawn Taylor; vocal duet, Misses Pam and Rae Barnett; Highland dances, Miss Carmine Lockett with bagpipe accompaniment by Miss L. Morgan; elocution, Mrs. S. Thompson; violin solos, Mrs, W. Shardlow, with Miss Missen as accompanist; song?, Mrs. E. Crosby. The league choir, conducted by Mrs. C. Berry, sang four part songs, Mrs Shardlow and Miss Missen playing a violin obligato for one number. Mrs. Mew was the choir accompanist and others were Miss Mew and Miss Vollemaere. At the conclusion of the programme, Mrs. Soundy thanked the girls for giving everyone a delightful evening. Supper was served. Sprays were presented to those contributing to the programme. Early in the evening sprays were handed to members by the girls. ~W.D.F.u7 WANGANUI PROVINCIAL / MEETING The quarterly meeting of the Wanganui Provincial W.D.F.U. was held yesterday in Trinity Church Parlour, the president, Mrs. J. C. Wickham, presiding. All stood in silence in memory of those who had passed on since last meeting. Miss M. Polson read the minutes. The president reported on matters connected with the W.D. rest homes. She referred to the two new homes acquired in the South Island —“Melrose” at Nelson, which was a gift from Colonel and Mrs. Noel Adams, and “Te Kiteroa” at Waimate, which had been purchased by the division. With the rest home at Awapuni, the division now has three homes. It was hoped that “Melrose” would be equipped and ready for the official opening at the end of February. It was proposed to raise £5OOO throughout New Zealand to equip and help with the maintenance of the newly acquired homes. A start will be made next year to raise these funds. The president stated that the alterations at. “Kaianga Moe” arc now completed and that, the home is nearly full. She stated that the fee for the home was two guineas for members and three pounds ten per week for non-members. The whole of the rest home scheme will be run under one committee—representatives from provincials. Miss Polson was nominated to represent the Wanganui provincial at the official opening of the Nelson Rest Home. The president announced that Miss Baker, principal of the Girls’ College, is desirous of helping the W.D.F.U. in connection with their efforts to help in country homes and that about ten girls in the school were willing to go out. as home helps during the school holidays. Miss Macdonald, housekeeping secretary, in her report, said there were more than a dozen applications received, many very urgent, but only two cases had been supplied with housekeepers. She urged the meeting to send a remit to headquarters asking “That help for country mothers be made an essential industry for the duration of the war.” The remit was passed, as also was a remit, from the Wanganui branch “That, men of the Merchant Navy be

granted the same travelling concessions as granted to other services.” The president moved a vote of sympathy with Mrs. N. Lynch, president of the Wanganui Federation of Women’s Institutes, who was in hospital as the result of an accident. It was decided to send her a letter of sympathy and flowers. Mrs. Wickham, in extending the season’s greetings to delegates, said she hoped the coming year would bring the peace so desired bv all. On behalf of the delegates, Mrs. McPhail wished all the best to the president. OKOIA WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Mrs. Munro presided over a good attendance at the November meeting of the Okoia W.1., which took the form of a small flower show. The date proved rather early for roses, but good entries were received in most other classes. After the usual business had been transacted. Mrs. Stilborn, vice-president of the federation, spoke a few words of greeting and goodwill. Mrs. C. Pratt gave an excellent report of the recent halfyearly council meeting. Mrs. Gould won a “memory test” competition. Songs delightfully rendered by Miss N. Jones, Miss Ashmore and Mrs. Tipper were greatly enjoyed, and Mrs. C. Pratt, Mrs. G. R. Jones and Miss N. Jones presented a most amusing five-minute sketch. Votes of thanks were accorded to all who had helped in the entertainment, and also to Mrs. Shanks who judged the flowers, and afterwards spoke a few helpful words to competitors. The committee served afternoon tea. Members are asked to note that the next meeting will be held oo the second Tuesday in January. Following are the results:—RoseDr. ds. Mrs. C. Pr.-nt i, Mrs. A. McLeod 2; pansies, Mrs. McLeod 1, Mrs., Clare 2; ranunculus, Mrs. Penn 1. Mrs. McLeod 2; anemones, Mrs. Rae 1 and 2; Iceland poppies, Mrs. Gardner 1, Mrs. C. Pratt 2; stock, Mrs. Tipper 1, Mrs. McLeod 2; flowering shrubs, Mrs. W. Jones 1 and 2, Mrs. Finn 2; native flowers. Mrs. Pratt 1, Miss N. Jones 2; geraniums, Mrs. Bland 1, Mrs. C. Pratt 2; twelve garden flowers, Mrs. F. Pratt 1, Mrs. C. Pratt. 2, Mrs. McLeod 2; any other variety, Mrs. C. Pratt 1, Mrs. C. O’Leary 2, Mrs. W. Jones 3; decorative, bow] of flowers. Mrs. G. R. Jones 1. Mrs. Finn 2; bowl yellow* or red flowers, Mrs. W. Jones 1, Mrs. C. Pratt 2; tall vase, Mrs. G. R. Jones 1, Mrs. Bland 2; bowl weefis and grasses, Mrs. Munro 1, Mrs. G. R. Jones 2; shoulder spray, Mrs. Clare 1 and 2. Miss Field 3; posy, Mrs. Clare 1 and 2. Miss Field 3. Sponge sandwich, Miss S. Wright 1, Miss Cook 2, Mrs. Penn 3.