WOMEN’S DIVISION

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21098, 27 April 1940, Page 18 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S DIVISION

HAMILTON BRANCH PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT Dear Fellow Members,—ln preaenting the 13th annual report for the Hamilton brancji I am sure all members of the Women’s Division greatly regret the passing of the late Prfme Minister, who took a great Interest in the work of our organisation, and was ever ready to help the women and children. The sympathy of members is also extended to all those who have suffered bereavement or sickness, especially our life member, Mrs Webb. I would urge all members to keep Up their membership, as, on account of the war, all our efforts are needed to help the soldiers and keep the home fires burning, and we can do this by working collectively. The attendance at meetings has been well maintained and our membership now stands at 135, mostly financial. Mrs Minchin and I attended conference in July as your delegates and with Mesdames Allan Bell and Courtney all provincial* meetings, Hamilton branch being hostess for the latter. . . The following organisations have been given assistance by manning stalls, etc.: —Sunshine League, Chinese Relief, Patriotic League, Soldiers’ Club, Makogai Lepers. The housekeepers have been steadily employed, in fact the demand has exceeded the supply and more housekeepers of the right type are urgently needed. One member, subsidised by us, was sent to “Kaianga Moi and greatly benefited by the rest. Sixty visits have been paid to patients by our hospital delegates, 337 pots of jam distributed, five dozen eggs, besides fruit, cakes, flowers and sweets, and nine bundles and one large case of linen.

f Clothing Distributed ' A Christmas cake was sent to the

Sunshine Ward, and a large parcel was despatched for the returned soldiers. Sixteen shillings was spent for comforts, and 42 bundles of clothes have been sent to necessitous cases; 802 articles of clothing have been collected and £5 4s 6d has been spent on wool, many members responding by knitting. Linen, - clothes, blankets, etc., were sent to refugee children.

Ten pounds has been donated to the community chest, £4 18s to the Rest Home, £2 10s for organising expenses, £2 for soldiers’ comforts, and £3 3s for the Y.M.C.A. Seven hundred and twenty magazines have been sent to the mental home and many hundreds of books and papers to soldiers’ camps. Our Winter Show stall was again most successful, and in June we held our birthday celebrations, many members also attending birthdays in surrounding districts. A most successful display of articles, for our stall at the Centennial Exhibition, was held in August. Dressmaking and nursing classes were conducted during the winter months and were much appreciated by the members. Travel talks, addresses, entertainments and demonstrations were given at the monthly meetings. Our thanks are due to the press, for monthly reports, Mr W. H. Allen, auditor, and the Y.M.C.A. In conclusion I wish to express my very deep appreciation to Mrs Minchin and all members of the committees who have so ably carried out their duties and made my term of office such a happy one. M. ANTONICA WELLS, President. (Hamilton Branch).