COOK COUNTY WOMEN’S GUILD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2367, 7 December 1908, Page 7

COOK COUNTY WOMEN’S GUILD.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The first annual meeting of the Goo'k Cotmty Woman’s Guild was held in' Townley’s Hall, - on Friday last. The President (Mrs J. Townley) was in the chair and there was a good attendance of members. Mrs. N. F. Walker, lion, recording secretary, read the following report which was adopted:—At the last, meeting of 'the Seivwright Memorial-Com-mittee in 1907, the committee disbanded and formed again under the title of “The Cook County Women’s Guild.” Officers were elected for the year. The fee of membership was fixed at Is per annum and a set of rules was drawn up, the object of the Guild being any work in connection with the uplifting of humanity. Eleven monthly meetings have been held and two special meetings. There is a large membership and the meetings. have been fairly well attended. On 29th May, 1908, the Guild was incorporated under “The Religious, Charitable, and Edlcational Trust Board’s Act 1884. The first case dealt with was one of neglected children who have been taken and well oared for by two Guild members (Mesdames Kingston and Morris), to whom a very special vote of thanks is due. A large packing case was procured in which donations 'of clothing etc., are kept and distributed by the Guild to those in need. On September 19, on the invitation of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the Guild joined with them in celebrating the anniversary of Franchise* Day. The meeting was held in Erskine’s Tea Rooms and was open to the public. The principal work undertaken this year was the collecting of funds for the erection of a Maternity Home and creche, the name to be “A Cottage Home for Maternity Cases.” An acre of land has been donated by the Government for this purpose and a largo sum of money .(£400) lias been banked. For this purpose socials have been held iu the months of February, September and November, and sacred concerts in February and July, a children’s entertainment in. August and a monster picnic and baby show on Labor Day. Special thanks are ue to Mrs. Hayes, who organised the children’s entertainment, to Mesdames Townley, Scott, Maynard, Church, Graham, West, Little, iand other members of the committee for their special work in getting up socials, concerts, and the general work of the Guild and also in collecting money. Thanks are also due to the ladies in the country districts, Te Arai, Ratutalii, etc., who collected and raised sums of money, and to all those, both in the Guild and out of it, who have assisted in the work. The 'Committee also appreciate the support and sympathy o.f those members who through circumstances are not able to take an active part- in the work of the Guild, and are always pleased when they can attend the meetings. The balance-sheet, showing that the Guild had now £4OO in hand, was read by the treasurer (Mrs. Townley), and considered very satisfactory.

The retiring office bearers were all unanimously re-elected.

A strong working committee of ladies willing to undertake active work for the next year was formed, andJNlrs. Graham'was appointed convener. It- was decided to hold the next Guild meeting on the Last Friday in January, 1909.'