WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Chronicle (Levin), 18 March 1946, Page 4

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

LEVIN'S ANNUAL MEETING The annual general meeting , of the Levin Women's Institute was held recently in the Odd.f ellow's Hall. Mrs. R. S. Powell, the president, extended a cordial welcome to members and visitors, and to Mrs. Kelso, a member of the Southern Wellington Federation. Three new members were elected. The annual report read by the secretary (Mrs. Kehoe) showed that the year had been an exceptionally busy, happy and successful one. The outstanding events were' the increase, in membership, the securing of first place in both the comedy and drama sections at the last festival, the winning of the rose bowl for the best court at the Horticultural Society 's recent show, and the formation of a junior circle of the institute. The balance sheet read by the treasurer showed . an exceptionally healtliy state of affairs. The membership of the senior -institute now stood at 110. In moving the adoption of the report, Mrs. Powell said that 1945 had certainly been an outstanding one in many ways for the Levin W.I. The cessation of hostilities had relieved the nervous tension' under which so many womenfolk had been living, and since there was not the need for so much knitting and other war work, members had been able to take a more active part in the activities of their institute. Mrs. Powell thanked her ofiicers and committee for their work during the

year, and her members for their loyal support and co-operation over a lengthy term of office. Mrs. Powell also wished the incoming president a very happy and successful term of ofSce. The report was seconded and adopted. Mrs. Powell then vacated the chair, which was taken by Mrs. Kelso, who condueted the election, the result of which was as follows: — President: Mrs. Kellaway; vice-presidents : Mesdames Cheesman and Dalton; secretary: Mrs. Kehoe; treasurer: Mrs. Fenn; committee : Mesdames Nichol, Witherow, Maughan, Lemmon, Smith, Taylor, Hannan and Miss Bradley. Mrs. Kelso congratulated the institute on another of its successful years. The membership was really good, especially in yiew of the fact that there were several institutes with good memberships within a very short distance of Levin. On behalf of her federation she thanked Mrs. Powell. her ^fficers and committee for their good work. Mrs. Kelso then held the interest of her listeners in an enlightening talk on the activities of the organisation in different parts of the world, making specihl reference to the really marvellous work done by the members of the W.I.;s in England. The authorities had made the statement, that had the •WX's not been so well organised, and come to their assistance, they could never have carried out that stupendous work of evacuating thousands of women and children from the cities to the country places. The authorities had come to recognise the importance of the oiganisation to such an extent that they sought its advice on their house planning and' other important schemes. Mrs. Kelso also read extracts from the South African "Home and Country," giving details of the work done in that part of the Empire by W.I. members, and of the great assistance they are giving to post-war projects. It was really a privilege, she said, to belong to such a worldwide organisation — one of the largest, if not the largest of its kind in the world. The speaker was heartily applauded at the conclusion of her address. The points prizes for the competitions held throughout the year were then presented to the following: — Mrs. Dalton (handiwork), Mrs. Griffiths (best bloom), Mrs. Wilson (best vegetable, cooking and points for most entries), Mrs. Harvey (best shrub). A hearty vote of thanks, carried by acclamation, was passed to Mrs. Powell for having, after retiring following a long period of office, kindly taken over the presidency for the year, when the president (Mrs. Blake) had had to resign owing to ill health. Flowers were presented to Mrs. Kelso, Mrs. Powell and Mrs.' Thorpe, (who was leaving Levin for some little time) and the dispensing of a dainty supper by the hostesses concluded a very interesting meeting.