WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 69, 3 May 1946, Page 7

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

SECOND ANNUAL EISTEDDFOD

GOOD PUBLIC SUPPORT —..H > The second annual Eisteddfod of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Federation of Women’s Institutes took place recently, the public competitions being held in the Caledonian Hall, Whakatane, and the Hometime Section and the Woolshop Window Competitions in the Methodist Hall. Entries in all sections numbered more than in the first Eisteddfod and point to increased interest by the Institute movement in the Bay. The larger attendance of the general public, now amply justifies the Federation’s action in making the Eisteddfod an annual event.

In the Public Competitions entries were 79 from 10 Institutes as compared with 65 for 1945 and in the Hometime Section 172 from 12 Institutes as> against 130. The Shop Window entries increased from 6 to 10. This year the class was for a Woolshop Window with a maximum of 30 articles on show. The ‘Windows’ lined each side of the hall and made a most attractive display.

A new section was the ‘Native’, with classes for Set of Pois, Collection of Native Leaves, Maori, Kit and Taniko woven belt. This did not produce many entries and none from Maori W.ls., but better results are hoped for next year when improved transport will enable officers to keep in touch with Maori Institutes and get them working normally again.

There were 11 classes in the Hometime Section comprising the following: Literature, Art, Design, Arts and Crafts, Plain Sewing, Fancy Needlework, Woolwork, Floral, Thrift, Cookery and Native' (maximum 600) and the section was won by Whakatane W.I. with a total of 439 marks, Otakiri 2, 474; and Waiotahi 3, 471.

The Woolshop Window trophy was carried off by Otakiri, 76 marks; Taneatua and Opotiki tied for 2nd place with 65 and Whakatane 3rd with 64. (Maximum 100). The very full programme of seven classes, including Folk Dancing, Choral Speaking, Vocal Solos, Action Test, Spelling and Pronunciation in the Public Competitions resulted in a meritorious win for Waiotahi with 292 out of a possible 390. Otakiri was 2nd with 280 and Whakatane 3rd with 262. A special trophy for the highest aggregate of marks gained in general competitions by an Institute with a membership of under 20 was won by Otara W.I.