FIRESIDE INDUSTRIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 126, 24 November 1932, Page 17

FIRESIDE INDUSTRIES

WOMEN'S CLEVER WORK

REMARKABLE EXHIBITION

The great interest taken in the Women's* Institute work was well demonstrated by the large attendance and the enthusiasm shown at the opening of the' annual exhibition by Hex Excellency- Lady Bledisloe,yesterday afternoon at the Dominion Farmers' Institute Hall, which was all too small for the occasion. Her Excellency, who was accompanied by Mrs. Veal, was received by Miss Jeiome Spencer (Dominion president and organiser) and by : Miss Grant (vicepresident). In a few cordial, words Miss Spencer welcomed Lady Bledisloe and expressed the gratitude of all for her kind and continued interest in the work of the institutes throughout the, Dominion. ~ * ' HER EXCELLENCY'S SPEECH. Her Excelloncy, in declaring the exhibition open, said: ■ "I am delighted to come and open your exhibition. Friendly competition is a good thing for all of us and a great incentive to work/ and, as you say in your report, 'to exercise the creative ability of hand md brain's is a constant source of joy.' "I-have been reading with much interest your annual report of 1931-32, and I congratulate you all most heart- - ily on the splendid work you have done andjon the addition of eighty new in- ; stitutesjsince the beginning of the year, bringing your membership now np to 20,000. That in itself shows the^-alue of the movement and how much it is 1 appreciated by the country-women 'of New.Zealand, and I sinccrel. hope its numbers may continue to increase at the same rate.' Fo never was there a country where the aims, objects, and ideals of the women's institutes ■ could be <of more assistance in teaching all while being self-reliant an* dresoureeful Ito have the spirit of co-operation'so essential in the world to-day. Also being a world-wido movement it broadens our outlook and- helps to check all feelings of insularity, a tendency to which perhaps we are prone, living in, such an isolated position'as New Zealand. '.■■;', "WIDENS OUR VISION." "It widens our vision and makes us a., women do our part in helping to establish that great world, peace for which we long and Which can only-come about by a better .understanding and knowledge of. each other. Giving the same tolerance to other people's views as we would have them give to, .ours, as is so finqly expressed in .the first and last verses of the women's institutes' beautiful prayer:— ' i Keep us, O Lord, from Pettiness; lot us he- large in. thought, in word, and deed; and may-we strive to touch and know the, great human heart common to us all, and let us not forget to be kind.: : . ■ "I now have much pleasure in declaring this exhibition open and wishing it all success and all prosperity to the Women's Institute movement.''. AMONG THE EXHIBITS. :A dainty little piece of pillow lace made by Mrs. Elder (Waituna)- was handed to Her Excellency as a memento and accepted with pleasure. Her Ex- ■ cellencythen went round the exhibition and was shown the objects of outstanding interest. ".'...■ Among these might be mentioned a wonderful wool mat of considerable size,:the materials used being valued at the remarkable sum of sixpence! It . was, made of little pieces of waste wool •picked up in the yard .or shed and dyed with lichens or kowhai flowers, or, coprosina, in tones of "yellow. and bronze, the design being large buttercup shaped flow"ers in artistic arrangement. It was really a "thing of beauty." The mats and rugs might all be termed . "wonderful," for they were all very pretty, • charming in colour and design. They were made from unravelled waste1 materials, old pieces 6t tweed, socks, and.worsted clothing generally. Dyed tastefully, and of fine size and warmth, they would be acceptable in any hbme. A chair made of manuka sticks, the knots and bends made useful in .the design, had a centre and cushion of dogs' hair and wool pieces worked, in together. The manifold uses to which wool had been put were most interesting, and the • delightful fleecy mats made and cured by the women were the subjects 'of special admiration. New Zealand flax mats were in great number and variety. The toys again were wonderful, the Angora rabbits" and other "bunnies," dogs, cats,, elephants, kangaroos, and. some specially fine 'animals made from fawn and deer skins looked vorth a great deal of money. Fawn skins also were demonstrated as dainty trimming to white or other felt hata. The pine-needle baskets were among the most charming things shown, r the cost being so infinitesimal that it could hardly be reckoned. The pine cones were worked up into owls and other birds in a clever manner,..one with a group of "chickens" i;being specially good. Old felt hats, motor tires and tubes—nothing was top old oi; too humble for these wonderful women to use and mako up artistic and useful articles fit for all kinds of purposes. The group of brass, copper, and other work from the Country Circle of the Pioneer Club was among the outstanding exhibits. It was difficult to say •which Institute or which Island of the Dominion excelled where all was so good, and all could be safely congratulated on a really wonderful exhibition. INTERESTING DEMONSTRATIONS.

The demonstrations of spinning (with a Shetland wheel) by Mrs. Sutherland, of weaving by Mrs. Barak, oi' making mattresses with wool by Mrs. Martin, of "thrift rugs" from sugar bags by Mrs. Heathcotc, and of seagiass stools by Mrs. Boyes .were all watched by enthralled groups of women. The mattresses made were of p. wonderful softness and perfection, showing the fitness of New Zealand wool for this use. The English "loan collection," which has inspired many useful ideas, was a centre of interest also. Iv conclusion, let it be said "No one should waste newspaper, for the. papier mache articles' made from it-were delightful."

Mis. Gibson Young (hem. secretary) and all members of comniittee were splendid workers in. securing the success of a wonderful exhibition.