BIG W.I. RALLY

Chronicle (Levin), 4 March 1946, Page 3

BIG W.I. RALLY

The half-yearly Women's Institute rally was held in the Druid's Hall last week when members of Foxton Institute were hostesses. Like a breath of the good old "pre-war day" was the arrival of Foxton members in strength per privately hired bus, and they soon had the hall transferred into a cheery meeting place with masses of lovely flowers and a welcome cup of tea. The meeting opened at 10.30 a.m. with singing of the Institute Ode and Mrs. Merriman, president of Foxton Institute welcomed all present, wishing them a happy day. Apologies were received from Mesdames Claridge (Opiki); Cronquest, W. Easton, Jensen, H. Stern (Shannon) ;and McLaughlin and Leady (Foxton). Mesdames Kernohan and Pene (Koputaroa) were welcomed as federation representatives. After the adoption of the balance sheet, which showed an excellent credit balance. It was decided to vote £2 2s to the Wellington Y.M.C.A. building- fund as a courtesy to the speaker of the day, who was to come from Wellington Y.M.C.A. and £2 2s to the food for Britain fund. No further nominations for convenor being received, Mrs. J. T. Bovis agreed to hold the position for a further 12 months. Owing to the easing of the transport facilities, it was considered possible to break the war-time rule of holding the rally in Shannon each time, and Koputaroa's invitation was accepted for the last Wednesday in July. After a short discussion, it was agree that the entertainment competition be for a set subject, and a fifteen minutes' comedy sketch was set for July. Miss Valentine (Wellington) was then introduced to the meeting and graciously agreed to act as judge for the fifteen minutes' competition and the banner competition (a child's cotton frock). Of the eight charming frocks entered, Miss Valentine had difficulty in selecting first, second and third, but finally placed Koputaroa, Shannon and Foxton in that order. Mrs. Chapman, Koputaroa, was handed the prize for making the winning frock. and amid hearty applause Koputaroa W.I. was awarded the banner for the fourth term in succession. The fifteen minutes' entertainment was then staged as follows: Koputaroa, "A concert"; Tokomaru "A Charade"; Foxton, "A Women's Committee meeting"; and Shannon "The W.I. Song" in costume. The judge had no difficulty in awarding Foxton first place for their very amusing effort, which was both original and almost unrehearsed, and an excellent show. Dainty shoulder sprays were presented by Foxton to the speaker, the convenor, the federation members and the presidents or senior representatives of the institutes present. Sympathy was expressed for Mrs. Claridge (Opiki) in her illness, and Opiki members who were held up by the late harvesting, were greatly missed at the rally. Three of the competition frocks were handed in to be sent to U.N.R.R.A. Miss Valentine then entertained the meeting for the next hour and a-half with a talk on her experiences as senior hostess in the Y.M.C.A. Forces' Hospitality Club during the war. A fluent speaker with a ready wit and a keen insight into human nature, she made all realise what splendid work the ordinary working girls of Wellington had done in providing men of the services with pleasant aud healthy relaxation from camp life. Miss Valentine also

explained the position regarding the recently arrived Dutch evacuees from Japanese concentration camps in Java, and thus answered many questions in the minds of members regarding the hospitality appeal sent out from W.I. headquarters. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker and gifts of a lovely box of flowers. and a most acceptable box of fresh eggs from the Foxton W.I. members, delighted her. Mrs. 0. Aislabie (Shannon) entertained with two solos and after time for a chat among members, another successful rally was closed with the singing of the National Anthem.