W.I. Members Gather At Shannon

Chronicle (Levin), 30 April 1948, Page 3

W.I. Members Gather At Shannon

. Over 120 institute members of the Manawatu Federation assembFed at Shannon on Wednesday for the annual council meeting. Twenty-three out of the 24 institutes were repr,esented and visitors from Koputaroa, Cheltenham and Opotiki and members of Oroua Federation were also present. WelcOme *to Shannon was given by Mrs. W. Easton (president). The annual report stated that the executive committee had met 11 times, there being good attendance. All institutes had been visited by their Federation Mother for their annual meetings, and congratulations were offered them tor the good work- they were doing" in the way of food for Britain, parcels, leper appeals, crippled children funds and hospital visiting. A panel with 10 demonstrators and lecturers had been compiled and should help institutes. Two distinguished visitors had been entertained during the year, Mrs. C. Russell, of London and Miss Amy Kane, of Wellington. Koputaroa had applied for and was granted a transfer to the South Wellington Federation, as it was situated at the extreme end of both federations. The display at the A. and P. show in November had been again well supported. The executive committee had staffed the tea and ice cream stalls which showed a credit balance of over £37. The floral festival held in conjunction with the P.N. Horticultural Society had been a most disappointing venture. There were only 213 entries and only seven institutes competed in the institute effort. Te Akakura and Bunnythorpe tied for the cup and are holding it for six months each. About 25 members of the federation went on a holiday tour of the North Island and a similar tour of the South Island has been arranged. Classes in choir singing had been held during the year, about 45 members attending. Thanks w.ere extended to Mrs. M. E. Will for her efforts in acting as distributing agent for the calendars. Though a profit had heen made, the saies had fallen considerabl'y owing to the poor support from the federation members. The social evening proved a very successful affair. An executive member had donated 10s 6d to the institute which enrolled the most new members during the current year, A scheme for institute visiting by executive members" had been adopted, institutes expressing their appreciation. The executive helped institutes who competed in the A. and P. show ' by donating 10s towards expenses, also donating £25 to the Dominion Federation Building Fund . which reliev.ed institutes of raisin'g the necessary -money. The report was adopted. Mrs. J. Penketh gave. a detailed report of her hospital : visiting activities, stating the donations handea to her during the past six months. She was thanked by .Mrs. Hockly for her service to the sick and a collection Which was customary at- this meeting, Ws^tkken up aiid- the sum of £9 cohtributed tpwards helping Mrs. Penketh with her work; ■ The financial statement, read foy the treasurer (Mrs. Kernohan) , was satisfactory. Opportunity was taken to make a presentation to Mrs. Kernohan, whose term of office expired. Her services were retained in part by the office of voluntary organiser. Mrs. T. Collins was also presented with a gift in appreciation of her work for the floral festival. Aftef the luncheon adjournment, the question of the choir festival was discussed. It was decided to hold the festival early in August. Mrs. Hockly reported on the meetings of the National Council of Women at which she and Mrs. Faulkner were representatives. Mrs. V. Claridge also gave a report oni the drama club. . . The eiection of officers resulted: ' — President: Mrs. F. Hockly (reelected) ; committee: Mesdames^W. Algie, A. H. Brill, W. Bond, V. Claridge, A. G. Clark, T. Collins, A. H. Faulkner, J. Veale and M. E. Will. Two remits were discussed. The first from Ashhurst stated that the attention of the Ministry of Supply be drawn to the apparent abundance of sugar, bottles and kegs available for the manufacture of beer and the tragic shortage of these articles for home preserving. It was suggested that the Minister give these shortages his most favourable and urgent consideration. The second remit (Manawatu Federation) stated that the Federation viewed with concern the distasteful forms of advertising by scme firms and asked that steps be taken to rectifiy the practice. Both remits were carried. The president expressed grateful thanks to Mrs. Faulkner for her seeretaryship; to Mesdames Veale, Clark, Claridge, Algie, Brill and Collins for their assistance in various activities and to the institutes for their loyalty and support. Tributes to Mrs. Hockly were paid by executive members, and Mrs. D. Funnell (Kairanga) extended thanks to the executive. Discussions on calendars, drama classes and other institute matters were held and the meeting closed with expressions of gratitude to Shannon for the hospitality received. The venue of the next meeting will be at Whakarongo.