Women’s Division

Grey River Argus, 14 April 1948, Page 8

Women’s Division

The annual meeting of the Westport Branch of the W.D.F.F, was held in the Sergeant’s Hill hall on Tuesday last. Mrs W l . H. Martin presided oyer an attendance of 20 members. Before proceeding with the business of the evening. Mrs Martin welcomed two new members. The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs W. H. Martin (reelected); vice-presidents, Mrs K. Willson and Mrs H. Palmer: secretary, Mrs D. Bateman (re-elected); press correspondent, Mrs J. Bennett; executive committee. Mesdames Martin, Bateman, Jefferson. Lowther, Risk, R. Menzies and J. Bennett.

The president’s report, as follows was adopted:—

“In presenting to you this, my annual report as your president, I want to say how delighted I am at the successful and prosperous year we have enjoyed, and I want to emphasise that I attribute cur success and prosperity to our good fortune in having such a capable secretary, and to the loyal support of all our members. It has been a great pleasure to me to have been associated with you all, and I hope our happy associations may long continue. Durin- the year,. Miss Cocks Johnson visited our district and delivered a series of lectures on gardening. Mrs Risk is to be thanked for her efforts in connection with the above visits. Mrs Bateman represented the' provincial executive and Mrs J. Bennett represented our branch at the Dominion conference at Wellington. I extend our thanks to them for their efforts on our behalf. Our thanks are also due to Mrs Bennett for her work as press correspondent. Mrs Palmer displayed a fine collection of articles sent .from Janan by her son. This was much appreciated by our members. Our thanks are also due to Mrs Lowther for the donation of knitted and other articles in aid of our funds. Mrs Lowe gave an interesting talk on the W.D.F.F. disnlav of bottled fruits, etc. at the Industries Fair at Christchurch. Miss McLeod thrilled us by her. instructive address on her experience on the Continent immediately prior to the outbreak of war, and we are , deeply indebted to her for her very fine address. Mrs Goodwin and Harrison, of Sydney, paid a visit to our February meeting, and our members were very interested in their display of arts and crafts. A most enjoyable visit was made to the Karamea branch recently, and we greatly appreciate the generous hospitality extended to us on that occasion. We hope Karamea branch will’ pay us a return visit in the near future. I regret that Mrs Elliott was not able to attend the Amsterdam conference owing to transport difficulties. .1 would also like to thank the Ser-i geant’s Hill hall committee for the use of this hall throughout the year, and all those members not mentioned, for their untiring efforts on behalf of the Division. In conclusion, I wish to extend my personal thanks, as well as those of the members, to Mrs Bateman, for the very able manner in which she has carried out her duties as secretary’’. The balance-sheet was received as very satisfactory. It was decided to donate £2 2s to the Plunket appeal. It was agreed that a letter of appreciation be sent to Karamea. It was also decided that a telegram of goodwill be sent to the National Council of Women.-

It was arranged that, the secretary write to the secretary .of the. Women’s Institute, accepting their invitation, and suggesting that the last Tuesday in April be a suitable date. Mrs K. Willson, vice-president, on behalf of the branch, presented Mrs Martin with a beautiful leather weekend bag, as a token of regard and appreciation of her services during the time she has been president, and wished her many more happy years of service to' the branch. Mrs Martin suitably replied. Mrs J. Bennett was also the recipient. of a small gift of appreciation. ■