Dominion President Of W.I.’s Addresses Eastern Bay Federation Council

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 40, 23 April 1948, Page 4

Dominion President Of W.l.’s Addresses Eastern Bay Federation Council

The annual Council meeting of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Federation of Women’s Institutes was held in Whakatane on April 16, Mrs Armstrong presiding. A welcome was extended to Mrs Barnicoat, Dominion President. The annual report to the conference recorded the splendid amount of work done during the year by the Executive Committee, meetings and festivals held, and those planned. Reports by the Voluntary Organisers were made on their work of advising or helping W.l.’s. The forming of two new Institutes, at Ohope and Whakatane were reported by Mrs Caverhill. Mrs Peck, Otakiri, was appointed Arts and Crafts Organiser. Mention was also made of the recent Eisteddfod. Despite the curtailment of meetings since the epidemic all Institutes reported keen interest among their members and increased mem-' bership in many districts. Donations were given to the Leper Appeal, St. John Ambulance, Red Cross and other worthy causes, and the packing of food parcels for Britain is continuing. Many had taken advantage of the Panel of Speakers and Demonstrators and reported increased interest in cultural activities. One W.I. had built its own meeting room.

Delegates were present from ail 16 Institutes in the Federation, travelling from as far as Otara, Te Whaiti, Galatea and Manawahe. Mrs Barnicoat, guest speaker for the day was then presented with a lovely sheaf of flowers. She entertained her audience with some , .of her experiences while visiting other parts of New Zealand. She ■ mentioned her work on the Standard’s Institute and gave an idea of the vast range of subjects with which they dealt. Short sketches of prominent overseas visitors She had met on behalf of the W.I. movement delighted her listeners. The speaker concluded with some interesting sidelights on the Royal wedding. It was announced that Manawahe W.I. had won the Potato Shield for this year. The day’s competitions included plain sponge roll, house frock, three handicrafts, W.I. table cloth and a modern bowl of flowers. Eleven Institutes competed and the entries were attractively displayed. In the aggregate points Edgecumbe was first with Thornton second. The raffle was won by Mrs Carter, Edgecumbe.

The meeting concluded with, thanks to Whakatane for their hospitality, and the National Anthem. Officers are: President, Mrs Armstrong (re-elected); executive committee, Mesdames Barker, Burgess, Ducker, Gardiner, Hewitt, Holland, Mayo, McCallion, Stansbury, Lambert, Withy. f?