Country Life Interests.

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20635, 22 October 1938, Page 18 (Supplement)

Country Life Interests.

j A p*go devoted to the interests of tfte Country Women of the Waikato, and In particular to advancing and recording the activities of those two great national organisations, the Women's Institutes and the Women’s Division of the Farmers* Union. I— am SUNLIGHT OVER THE COTSWOLDS

As we followed the stream through the length of the valley, with the great escarpment of the Gotswolds rising on either aide, it was like walking In and through sunlight. The whole floor of the valley was thick with buttercups. I have never seen them in such abundance, with flowers so broad and yellow and shining. They grew, on their strong stalks, more than knee-high in the lush grass. The sunlight pouring down the narrow valley, as water pours through a funnel, streamed across the deep meadows in a flood of molten gold. The white blur of hedge parsley and the abundant feathery stitchwort could not dim the blaze of yellow, but was like a veil drawn thinly over it. Sunlight streamed on the great flanks of the hills, warming their green domed crests and lying softly in long waves of light between the lower beech woods. Where the trees threw any shade, it was of an unimaginable blackness, like great pools of darkness spread on the grass. On the high pastures above, cattle browsed lazily, moving in long unending circles on the warm hilltops. The sound of the hidden stream filled the valley with a ripple of coolness. Larks sang high above the meadows, and the sound seemed to quiver in the heat rays which pressed upon the valley. Under the sun the wet meadows were drying, and the scent of hay rose heavily, on the still, hot air.

At the end of the valley a village climbed through the beech woods, its pale golden stone houses gleaming faintly through the trees. Nearly six hundred years before, there had been a busy township on that hillside. The stream had fed the njill beside the alders, and on the high walks above the valley the famous thick-fleeced Gotswold sheep had browsed to the immediate profit of the little town, and the indirect profit of the Flemish weavers. The medieval wool trade had poured riches into these valleys beneath the Gotswolds, and the fine cloths afid tapestries of Flanders had sprung from them. Now the sleepiness of centuries lay on the valley, but the stream still murmured and the sunlight pressed down upon the warm hills.

sented a dualogue, “A Day’s Sketching In the Country,” which was much appreciated. In a Spanish gipsy scena by the 18 members of the Institute Glee Club the following individual items were contributed: “The Gipsy Chorus," from “The Bohemian Girl,” the company; “Gipsy Love Song” and “Where My Caravan Has Rested,” Mrs Steer and Miss Peterson; “Spanish Gipsies.” with solos by Miss Peterson and Mrs R. H. Stewart, and chorus; duet, “Juanita,” Mesdames B. E. Morris and W. F. Whilton; song, “Play to Me, Gipsy,” by Mrs S. J. Lawrence Te Mawhai) and chorus, with violin obbligato by Mr N. Winch. In the scena there was a clever dialogue especially written by Mrs H. Giles. The members were all dressed in costume, sitting around a camp fire. A beautiful bouquet was presented by little Margaret O’Brien to Mrs Steer In appreciation of her work in promoting the entertainment, and a Mickey Mouse was presented to little Gaynor Nicholson, who is the mascot of the Glee Club. A play, “All nice and Friendly,” was contributed by Mrs Giles, Mrs A. D. Sing and Miss Joan Webber, and caused much amusement. The singing of the Institute “Ode to Friendship” closed the concert programme.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE AT MOTUMAOHO SIXTH BIRTHDAY PARTY The Motumaoho Hall was the scene of a vary pleasant afternoon on Wednesday, when the Motumaoho branch of the Women's Institute celebrated its sixth birthday. The meeting opened with the singing of the Institute Anthem and song. The hall had been deoorated in shades of pink and white by the committee. Visitors were welcomed from the Eureka, Matangi, Tauwhare, Morrinsville and Whitikahu Institutes by the president, Mrs Lennan, who received thanks on behalf of the respective institutes. Mrs Brown, of the Whitikahu Institute presented Mrs Lennan with a bouquet. On behalf of the members of the Motumaoho Women’s Institute little Joy Harbottle presented Mrs Lennan with a box of beautiful flowers, Mrs Warren, secretary, with a bouquet, and Mrs Dunbar, the treasurer, with a shoulder spray, as a mark of appre-?> ciation of the services rendered during the year. The birthday cake, which had been artistically decorated in pink by Mrs C Baker, was cut and distributed. | Vhe candles on the cake were lit bv Miss Daphne Hazelhurst, the youngest | member of the Motumaoho Institute, | and extinguished by Mrs Richards, the • oldest member. Both wished the institute every success. The competitions were as follows: The best bloom in my garden: Mrs W. B\ Stark. \ ; Mrs S. A. Ferguson, 2: Mrs W. Smith, 3. Tearing the form of a cow out of paper: Mrs Gilbert, 1; ; Mrs Harrington (Eureka), 2. Putting J the tail on a donkey: Mrs E. Harris, 1. I Members of the Dramatic Circle, ! presented a play which was a credit to the producer and the players, and was very much appreciated by the audience The performers were: Gran, Mrs Warren; Emely, Miss E. Lyndon; Ivy, Mrs W. Crump; Mrs Hole, Mrs Lyndon: Miss Poole, Mrs C. G. Bluett; Mrs Trevor and Clara, Miss A. Ferguson. At the conclusion of the play, on behalf of the players, Mrs Crump presented Mrs Jenner, the producer, with a gift, in appreciation of her efforts in making the play a success.

The president expressed her thanks for the reception given to the Institute’s efforts, and the hall was then cleared for dancing.

Vocal Items were given by Mrs Herbert of Morrinsville, and Miss A. Ferguson. Mrs G. Harbottle was the accompanist. Mrs W. Crump entertained with two humorous monologues. A delicious afternoon tea was served by the members of the Motumaoho Institute. A dance was held In the Motumaoho Hall on Friday to conclude the celebrations. AT TE AWAMUTU HUSBANDS’ AND GUESTS’ NIGHT Husbands' and guests’ night, which Is looked forward to by husbands, guests and members of the Te Awamutu Women’s Institute, took place on Tuesday, when two or three hundred people assembled In the Town Hall and spent an enjoyable evening. The members had worked hard ta assure the outstanding success of the evening and the air of friendliness carried out the aim and aspiration of the Institute. The first part of the evening was devoted to a bright concert programme and the second to dancing to splendid music supplied by Hayward’s Entertainers. Tbe president of the Institute, Mrs H. Steer, welcomed the visitors on behalf of the committee and members, referring to the presence of Mrs .T. Ward Chapman, of Hamilton, and Mrs Tanfield, of Ngaruawahia, president and treasurer respectively of the Waikato Federation of Women's Institutes, and Mesdames Garrett and Currall, of the recently-formed I’ualiue Institute. The stage had been most effectively arranged to represent a drawing-room with easy chairs and orange cushions and decorated with large bowls of beautiful Iceland poppies to tone. After the National Anthem two boys, Dallas Winch and Golin O’Brien, opened the concert programme with a pianoforte duet. Peggy Sager contributed two dances. “King Tuts Tomb'' and “A Moonlight Dream,’’ which were well interpreted. Mesdames G. Ansae and A. i. Tailby pre-

AT TAUPIRI The president, Mrs A. Smith, presided over a good attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the Taupiri branch of the Women’s Institute, held in the hall on the second Thursday of this month. The meeting was opened with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by the Institute song. Members were delighted to have with them for the afternoon their past president, Mrs Clarke, who has been ill for many months. The president also expressed pleasure at seeing two other members w r ho had been very ill, Mrs T. White and Mrs Scatchard. Mrs Bunn was appointed delegate to the biennial meeting on November 8. One new member, Mrs Frost, was welcomed. The flower competitions were won by Mrs Moore, and Mrs Powell. A generous offer by Mrs Drummond to donate a dozen dahlia tubers to members, and to give a talk on their cultivation each month, was accepted with thanks. A condition of the gift is that blooms from these prize

dahlias shall be exhibited at the flower show. A beautiful table of articles to be exhibited in the show was greatly admired. Mrs R. Waring kindly judged the exhibits, the best thrift article being shown by Mrs Braddock. Members were entertained during the afternoon with a short play given bv Mrs Bunn and Miss Starr, of Ngaruawahia. A delicious afternoon tea brought a happy meeting to a close, the hostesses for the afternoon being Mesdames Sweetman, Taylor, Pierce, ; Coley, Drummond and Miss Walter. AT ARAPUNI Owing to the prevalence of sickness, there was only a small attendance at the October meeting of the Arapuni branch of the Women’s Institute. Mrs Long, vice-president, presided. The members observed a minute's silence ‘ as a motion of sympathy to Mrs D. . Griffin. AS there were so many members absent it was difficult to nominate I delegates for the Waikato East ConJ ference. Mrs Sewell, Mrs Wilson and Mrs Eves were proposed and it is hoped that two of these members will be able to attend. “My pet superstition” was the roll call. Mrs Sewell won the competition for date scones and also a written competition. Mrs Williams’ entry was the only one for the wood pulp flowers and well deserved the prize. A demonstration on pastry making was keenly followed by the members. During the month a social afternoon was held, each member bringing a cup and saucer for Institute use. A I pleasant afternoon was spent with community singing and competitions, the winners being Mrs Wallace, Mrs Galich and Miss S. Jones.

FOOT SORE AND WEARY How many times at the end of a heavy day do you find your feet so tired that you have no wish to go out in the evening. Tired aching feet are the cause of a tremendous amount of vague ill-health which the modern woman suffers. It is not necessary to go on suffering, however, with modern methods of foot comfort. Make an appointment with Miss Eileen A. Fetzer at Burfoots N.Z.), Ltd., Chemists, in South British Buildings, Victoria St., and see for yourself the wonderful relief that modern science can genuinely give to foot sufferers. Now is the time to attend to your feet, before the hot