Women's Institutes Federation Half-Yearly Meeting

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 October 1948, Page 9

Women's Institutes Federation HalfYearly Meeting

All but two of the 15 institutes in tlie Wanganui District Federation of Women’s Institutes answered the roll call at thte half-yearly council meeting, held at Fordell yesterday, when there was a large attendance of delegates, members and visitors.

The stage in the local hall was tastefully decorated with bowls of arum lilies, iceland poppies and lilac. The president, Mrs. H. Tipper, presided and welcomed all institute members and visitors. The latter included representatives from the Oroua Federation of W.l.'s, the W.D.F.F. Wanganui provincial and branches, and Townswomen’s Guild, and a visitor from Los Angeles, Mrs. C. Poole. Apologies and greetings were received from the Ruapehu and South Taranaki Federations. The annual report, read by the secretary, Mrs. J. Brownlie, and the financial statement by the treasurer, Mrs. N. Lynch, were adopted. Appreciation of their work was expressed by Mrs. Tipper. In responding to the roll call the delegates each gave the name of their link institute in England. AN INNOVATION.

A particularly interesting feature of the morning session was the thi/eeminute institute reports, which gave a history of each district. This was a welcome innovation, and showed that the compilers had gone to considerable trouble to obtain the data for their reports. That the reports were appreciated was evidenced by the applause. The judge, Mrs. S. Rankin, gave the placings as follows: Okoia 1, Westbourne 2, Kaitoke and Westmere 3 equal. Mrs Rankin gave a few helpful hints on compiling reports. .

Mr. L. M. Hallas, organising secretary of the Wanganui Food for Britain Committee, addressed the meeting on the need of help for Britain. During the discussion session the following suggestions were made and will be discussed at the various institutes: That the reports on the history of the various districts be kept and compiled. That the half-yearly council meeting .on a day other than Wednesday, That community wardrobe would assist drama circles. Have a travel club on similar lines as those down south. The secretary mentioned a remit from the Dominion Conference “That a list be compiled of W.I. members who are willing to give hospitality to children of members in cases of illness of the mother.”

The afternoon session opened with the singing of the New Zealand Song, followed by the presentation of the trophies! or the reports and the competitions. A “Good Service” badge was presented to Mrs. C. R. Stilborn, who has given 16 years’ service in institute work, as a committee memfier and then president of Mosston W.1., also president of Westbourne W.1., and as an official of the federation. Mrs. Tipper, in presenting the badge, paid a tribute to Mrs. Stilborn for her work. In replying, Mrs. Stilborn said how much pleasure she had derived from the institute. Solos by Mrs. Boyle, for whom Mrs. R. H. Tizard played the accompaniments, and a comedy sketch given by the Westmei/e Drama Circle, were enjoyed. Competitions were won as follows: Collection of thrift articles, Kaitoke and Turakina (equal) 1, Westbourne 2, Mosston 3. Clothing for Corso, Northern Group 1, Southern Group 2. Gingernuts, Mrs. C. .Stilborn 1, Mrs. H. R. Morgan 2, Mrs. R. Campbell and Mrs Honeyman (equal) 3. Mrs. Wither, on behalf of herself and Mrs. Reid (Oroua Federation) expressed appreciation of being able to attend and spend such an enjoyable day and interesting talk. Mrs. Perry (Turakina) moved a vote of thanks to all who had assisted to make the meeting a happy and successful one. Very warm thanks were extended to the hostess institutes— Fordell and Okoia, who had served morning and tea, also lunch. Those who had entertained were also, thanked and were presented with sprays. The institute pianist, Mrs. W. G. Cooper, was also the recipient of flowers. Secretary’s Report.

The secretary’s report showed that progress had been made in various directions. Apart from the usual routine work in the federation the chief effort has been to stimulate the sending of help overseas. The institutes carry on with the sending of addressed parcels to links and friends, Clothes drives for C.0.R.5.0. have met with good response; regular sums are contributed towards food for Britain. “As regards voluntary organise ers,” states the report, “Mrs. A. G. Gould resigned at the close of last year after years of service, Mrs. Tipper continues as senior V. 0., while Mesdames Williams and Tremain have been newly appointed. Two service badges have been presented to Mrs. Uttley and Mrs. Stilborn. A successful drama festival was staged in July, Westmere winning the shield and also taking second place. Mrs. Shanks acts as delegate on th|) Aid to Britain Committee; Mrs. Bond represents the institutes on the Royal Institute of Horticulture, and Mrs. Simmons is delegate to the Crippled Children Society and assistant delegate to C.0.R.5.0. Executive members represent the federation on C.0.R.5.0., W.E.A., N.C.W. and Residential Nursery. Visits have been paid to outlying institutes, taking entertainers and demonstrators when requested. “It is with pride we record the generous response of our demonstrators to undertake occupational therapy at the T.B. ward oi the hospital fortnightly. Our thoughts and our sympathy have heen with Mrs Cooper, our past president, in her bereavement and to Mrs. Simmons in her illness.