WOMEN'S DIVISION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 118, 23 May 1946, Page 2

WOMEN'S DIVISION

WANGANUI PROVINCIAL THE ANNUAL MEETING. Mrs. A. McPhail presided at the quarterly meeting of the Wanganui provincial district of the Women’s Division of tv Farmers’ Union, held yesterday, in the main lounge of the Y.M.-Y.W.C.A. She welcomed the delegates from the various branches. Mrs. E. Pooley, a new W.D. housekeeper attended the meeting, and was accorded a welcome. Resolutions and questions to come before the Dominion conference were read and discussed. The president referred to the proposed plans to celebrate the 21st. aniversary of tne organisation by buying a property ■suitable for W.D. headquarters in Wellington. She outlined the programme for the celebrations and asked delegates to notify headquarters the kind of food or donations they could give for the luncheon and evening function. Offers of money and poults for the event were forthcoming from various branches. The president stated that as Wanganui is one of the oldest branches, there would be a good representation at the gathering. Mrs. A. H. Mac Lean was nominated as a delegate to give a brief history of the Wanganui branch. Among others who will attend the conference will be Mrs. J. C. Wickham, Mrs. R. Lilburn, Mrs. J. McDougal and Miss M. Polson.

The meeting agreed to set aside another £lO this year for worthy causes, and it was decided to give a donation of £5 towards the expenses of the country children’s week which has been held in Wanganui. Mrs. J. C. Wickham took the chair for the election of officers, which resulted as follows: President, Mrs. A. McPhail; (re-elected), vice-presidents, Mesdames Jackson (Waverley), A. H. Mac Lean (Fordell-Mangamahu), J. McDougal (Wanganui); executive, Mrs. Bell (Raetihi), Miss Bartrum (Makirikiri), Mrs. Frederick (Wangaehu); delegates to conference, Mrs. A. H. Mac Lean and Miss M. Polson; secretary, Miss M. Polson (re-elected; treasurer, Mrs. B. Wyley (Forde’d), provincial advisory members, Mrs. McFarlane (Waverley), Mrs. J. C. Wickham.

In the W.D. Housekeeping report, the secretary,’ Miss J. Macdonald stated that 12 cases had been assisted during the year, but they had been without a housekeeper since November. The position was still acute, and although the division had advertised for helpers eyen offering £4 per week, and women had been interviewed, it was without result. The president paid a warm tribute to Miss Macdonald for her work in this section of the W.D. activities and was presented with a spray. Appreciation of the work of the officers was also expressed and each recevied a spray. Miss Macdonald paid a tribute to the work of the secretary, Miss M. Polson. Miss B. Wyley. who presented the financial statement was also accorded a vote of thanks.

Mr. A. P. Melville (Fordell) spoke on the saving of fats for Britain and gave particulars of how this is to be collected, processed and tinned to send to England. Mr. W. S. Glenn (Kakatahi), gave a talk on the aims and objects of the Federation of Farmers’ organisation. Both speakers were thanked by the president and accorded votes of thanks FORDELL-MANGAMAHU ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the FordellMangamahu branch was held at Fordell recently. Miss Macdonald, president, was in the chair. The meeting opened with the Creed and members stood in silence as a mark of sympathy with those who had suffered bereavement during the year. Special mention was made of the passing of a member, Miss Maysie McDonell, whose death occurred recently. Miss Macdonald paid a tribute to the line work she had done both in the 1914-18 war and the recent world war.

Election of officers resulted as follows: Miss Macdonald and Mrs. Wells were unanimously re-elected president and secretary respectively; vice-presidents, Mrs. J. Glasgow, Mrs. L. Kellick and Mrs. J. Marsh (vicejresidents to act as advisory members); hon. vice-president, Mrs. Howie; delegates to provincial, Mrs. A. H. Mac Lean. Miss K. Morgan. Committee to remain the sama with the exception of Mrs. Howie, who resigned and Mrs. R. Sutherland, who has left the district. Miss Macdonald expressed the regret of all in the loss of Mrs. Sutherland, who had always been such a staunch supporter of the branch and sate the best wisnes of all went with her.

The president said, in her report, that branch work had been carried on as usual. Interest during the year had been mainly centred on the raising of funds to help with the establishment of the “Residential Nursery for Town and Counry Children.” The lack of domestic help had become such an acute problem that such an institution would be a great boon to mothers having to leave their children at times. As the result of united efforts the branch had been able to donate £6O towards the project. Donations had also been made towards provincial funds, the rest homes, C.0.R.5.0. and the A. and P. Association. Clothes drives for the Lady Galway Guild had resulted in a good collection of garments being handed in. Earlier in the year addressed parcels were sent to soldiers overseas and recently the committee packed and addressed food parcels to people in Britain. Miss Macdonald thanked the committee and secretary for their loyal help and co-operation, during the year. Sympathy was expressed with members ill in hospital, Mrs. Georgetti, Mrs. H. Collins, and Mrs. G. Wyley. Afternoon tea was served, after which food parcels foi’ Britain were packed and the meeting closed with the National Anthem. MANGAVVHERO W.D.F.U.

The annual meeting, of the Mangawhero branch of the Women’s Division was held al "Manurewa,” Fordell, on May 7. Mrs. E. Polson presided over a good attendance. Mrs. I. Flyger, treasurer, presented the financial statement. The usual donations had been made during the year. Mrs. Polson thanked Mrs. Flyger and all the members for their support during the year. Mrs. O. Blandford and Mrs. E. Munro, two very keen and faithful members, had left the district. ’A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs. Polson. Miss J. MacDonald very kindly look the chair for the election. Mrs. E. Polson (president), Mrs. B. E Thompson (vicepresident), and Mrs. G. Hainsworth (secretary-treasurer) were re-elected. Mrs. Polson and Miss Hainsworth were elected as advisory members, and Mrs. Flyger and Mrs. Thompson as delegates to provincial. Miss MacDonald gave a very interesting talk on a children’s residential nursery that the Women's Division hopes to open at some future date in Wanganui. Mrs. Polson proposed a vole of thanks to Miss MacDonald and said that the branch would support this venture.

Mrs. J. Hunt.?? proposed that the branch make a donation to C.0.R.5.0. Mrs. Hunter also gave a very enlightening talk on the situation in Greece, referring to letters received from her daughter. Dr. Aliscn Hunter, who is a voluntary worker In Greece, sent, by