FARMERS’ UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18159, 25 October 1930, Page 15 (Supplement)

FARMERS’ UNION.

WOMEN’S DIVISION. HAMILTON BRANCH. A most successful street stall, which is an annual effort, was held last Tuesday, when in spite of the boisterous weather and much-talked-of depression the sum of £l2 was realised. The country members rose to the occasion and a steady stream of goods came in all morning. The competition for the best sweets was won by Mrs Middlemiss, with a beautiful box of jujubes. The sponge cake competition was very closely contested, the judge finally deciding in favour of Mrs Minchin, who also won the butter sponge—a wellmerited and popular win. Many thanks are due to Mr Bell for judging. The many friends of Mrs Alex. Ramsay, one of our oldest'and most enthusiastic members, will be pleased to hear that she hopes to be up and about again soon. Her tangible token of interest in our stall was much appreciated. Mrs Minchin is kept more busily employed than ever with the housekeeping business now that the scheme is becoming more widely known. Members are able , to help greatly by

getting into touch with necessitous cases and reporting them, or in supplying Mrs Minchin with the names of any women suitable for and willing to do housekeeping work. They must be of mature years, able to bake, mend, and in every way take the place of the absent mother.

Reports of branch meetings at Ohaeawai, Opotiki, Kerikeri and Kawakawa are to hand, and all report continued enthusiasm and increased membership. - The donation of £25 to the South Auckland Provincial Executive was from the Farmers’ Trading Company, not Farmers’ Union, as previously staled.

The Putaruru branch is hoping great things for its rest room. The County Council has given it land for the nominal rental of Is a year. The beautifying Society has come to light, and has undertaken to make the grounds a thing of beauty, and in the meantime all the members, under their president (Mrs Campbell) are working hard for funds for the rest room, which is to be in brick. Mrs \V. J. Poison has received from Mr Whitly, the leader of the British farmers’ tour, a present of all Hie books, songs and gramophone records for teaching folk dancing. Mr Whitly is an enthusiast on folk dancing, and it is Mrs Poison’s intention to hand this gift over to headquarters for use among the branches. CAMBRIDGE BRANCH. The October meeting of the Cambridge branch was held last, Friday In the Farmers’ Club room. There was a good atcndance of members. In the absence of Mrs W. G. Care (president), the chair was taken by Mrs Cooper, vice-president. Votes of sympathy were carried, the members standing in silence, with Mr and Mrs Care and Mrs and Miss Perkins in their recent sad bereavements. Owing to the September meeting having been postponed there was a consderabie amount of business to be done. Reports were read from headnuai'lers of new branches opened, and of progress made with regard to

special schools lor backward children. Also a report was read from Mrs Judd stating that in the last three months seven housekeepers had been supplied locally, and several to other branches. A letter was received from the W.E.A. asking for a donation. It was decided that £1 Is be donated. Discussion took place on the question of raising funds. In view of the

present depressed conditions it was

decided that no garden party he held j this, year, but if possible arrange(Continued in next column.)

ments will be made to hold a stall in town just before Christmas. At the conclusion of business, Mrs H. P. Hewitt gave a most interesting talk on "Digestion and its Relation to Health.” So interested were the audience that Mrs Hewitt was asked to give a series of such talks, and a hearty vote of thanks was passed. Afternoon tea was then partaken of, during which members had an opporluhity ot' discussing with Mrs Hewitt some of their difficulties. The next meeting will be held on November 21, to be followed by a competition and recitations and singing.