ANNUAL GATHERING OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES IN S. HAWKE'S BAY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 68, 7 April 1937, Page 11

ANNUAL GATHERING OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES IN S. HAWKE'S BAY

The annual meeting of the Southern Hawke's' Bay Federation of Women' s Institutes was held in the Municipal Theatre, Waipukurau, on Tuesday, Mrs 11. H. Tod presiding over an attendance of 400. The stage was decorated with bowls of goregous rose-pink cactus and pomponi dahlias, miniature sunflowers and greenery. A table placed in the centre of the stage, was covered with the Ineitute clotli, on which^ was wor'"ed the Institute motto — "For Home and Country". Associated with Mrs Tod on the stage were Mrs D. Campbell, secretary, Miss Jull, treasurer, Mrs Fattison, late Dominion president, and members of the executive. Branches represented were : Ashley Clinton, Elsthorpe, Hatuma, Mangaorapa, Makotuku,, Matamau-Tataramca, Norsewood, Ngamoko, Omakere, Ongaonga, Porangahau, Pukehou, Papatawa, Pii'i Pirj-Glengarry, Tikokino, Takapau, Tipapakuku, Raumati, Hua ltoa, Te Kehunga, Wallingford, Waikopiro, Waipawa, Waipukurau, Weber and Wimble-don-Herbertville. The meeting opened with the singing of the Institute song and the Aspirations. Members stood 'in silence as a mark of respect for the memory of ~ the late Mfs J. Bihby, a former member of the executive. Prior to the reading. of . the report exquisite bouquets composed. of flamecoloured dahlias and roses- were presented to the president, Mr R. H. Tod, Mrs P. Campbell, secretary, Miss D. Jull, treasufer, Mrs H, Paterson of Pahiatua, ilrs. H. Duckworth, president . uf the Waipukurau Institute, and shoulder sprays were presented by Mrs Fraser, to members of the executive. "I am very pleased to see such a iarge attendance here this morning," said Mrs Tod, in her opening remarks. "In some ways it is a sad day for me i'or, as you know, I am resigning my presidency. I feel that the Institute may gain much from the introduction of some fresh blocxl to the executive. I hope it may benefit from the dijferent ideas of home and duty that will be spread by the new admmistration. "I sliould like to pay a tribute to those of my executive with whom I have worked for the past five-years. They have at all tiuies been most faithlul and loyal." Mrs Tod stressed the need for loyalty in the ranks of Institute members. She wislied to leave the thouglit with the deiegates that " they should try to see the good in others. "Let us rally togetlier," concluded Mrs Tod, ''and sliow loyalty to the new officers that will be elected to-day, that we may forge ahead and attain those higlier ideals that are our goal.", Mrs Duckwoi'th also spoke a few words of welcome. Mrs O. Williams, speaking on behalf of the members, moved a liearty vcte of tlianks, which was later passed, to Mrs Tod for her devotion to the work on behalf of the Institutes during her term of office. She also eulogised the work done by Mrs D. Campbell as secretary and Miss P. Jull as treasurer. The following remits were dealt with but wer© lost on heing put to a vote : By the executive of the Southern Hawke's Bay Institute, that tlie former resolution that two deiegates be sent to council meeting be rescinded. By Wimhledon-Herbertville, that the sitting members of th© executive of the Southern Hawke's Bay Federation should retire after three years of service on the executive. A short debate, was then held, Mrs Preston and Mrs Strange appearing for the affirmative and Mrs A. Williams and Mrs S. Campbell for the negative, the latter gained the decision. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs D. Campbell; committee, Mesdames A. Benbow, A. F. Oul-

liford, C- Fairbrother, G. L. Jamieson, W. Little, P. A. lliddle, R. H. Tod, A. F. Turner, D. Campbell, W. E. Dickuns, Cyril Williams and Miss Jull, After the luncheon adjournment business was resumed. Mrs Campbell was appointed delegate to attend the conference to be held in Wellington in June. Mrs Tod, then introduoed Mrs H. Paterson, late . Pomiiiion president of Women's Institutes, to the meeting.She was one of the deiegates to attend the conference o-f Associated Countrywomen held in Washington last June. "It was one of the greatest experiences of my life,' Baid Mrs Paterson in her opening remarks. Mrs Paterson desoribed to the large and interested gathering the George Washington monument, the Lincoln statue and the Washington Cathedral, stating that 7300 attended serviee in the Cathedral which was a fiitting prelude to the conference. The garden party at the White House was a wonderful function. Mrs Itoosevelt being a charming woman. The deiegates were sall greatly xnterested in the Institute song writcen by the late Mrs Bibby, of Waipawa. Mrs Paterson's description of the sundown service held at the watergato on the last evening of the conference was awe-inspiring. On the motion of Mrs Tod, Mrs Paterson wa's accorded a hearty vote of chanks. Twelve Institutes entered for the singing competition, the test piece bexng "Sweet and Low". Mesdames Gerald Wilson and J. L. Braitbwaite were the judges and on their decision placed Waipawa first and Hatuma second. Porangahau "Institute won the shield for community work, Ormondville coming second and Glengarry-Piri Piri third. Mrs Montree'won the competition for candied peel. It was decided to hold the next halfyeariy federation meeting at Papatawa, the competitions to be: Posy, supperoloth, home-made soap. Before closing the meeting Mrs Tod moved a vote of thankg to all who had helped durmg the day, especially the members of the Waipukurau Institute, the tellers (Mr and Mrs E. Broad), the Press and the judges. The meeting closed with the singing of the National Antliem. v ANNUAL EEPOET The annual report stated: Since we met last we have all mourned the death of a dear friend and member, Mrs Bibby. Her bright personality and optimistic spirit will long remain with us and we extepd to her husband aud family our sympathy. Last May, Miss Hazel Johnson spent six weeks in the northern part of our Federation. It was most gratifying' to see the great interest that was creatcd and advantage was taken to attend the clas>ses aranged. Your executive expresses to Mrs Preston, secretary, Waipawa, and ber sub-committee their appreeiation of the work they put in in arranging Miss Johnson 's itinerary sa satisfaetorily. Twenty-seven of our Institutes were reperseifted at the conference. A resolution that the conference be held every two years, meaus no general conference this year. A round table conference with a delegate from each executive comniittee and one voluntary organisir is to be held insteaw. The drama festival was again an unqualified isuccess. The judge commented on the high standard of the plays presented, and Wallingford Institute was

again successful in winning Mrs Tod's trophy. Our thanks are also due to Mr Malkin and his orchestra for tso generously supplying musical items hetwe.en the plays. The outstanding event in the history of our Federation was the visit of Mrs Alfred Watt, founder of Women's Institutes in England. Mrs Watt expressed pleasure at being at our half-yearly meeting, as it was the first Institute gathering she had so far attended; all the others had included representatives from other bodies. The Institute section of the Waipukurau A. and P. show is being supported in a most encouraging manner. . The displays this year gave evidence of much thought and careful selection. Hatuma is to be congratulated on winning Mrs Ormond 's shield. The Dannevirke horticultural show included classes for Institutes, having an arts and crafts section. A number of surrounding Institutes gave their support. so much that' the society in their appreciation of. this said it had given fresh impetus to the society. A handieraft exhibition -is to be held this year at Dannevirke on May 20. Your executive makes an appeal on behalf of ' Home and Country. ' ' The annual reports show how few members subscribe to . the paper in coniparison with the memheTship. • The membership of our Federation is 1286 and only 230 copies are taken. The publishers in an effort to increase circulation are. offering free copies to all. members andwe take this opportunity to appeal to every member to make an effort and subscribe. ' ■ ' & Your executive feel that our Foderafcion has accomplished much -in foster-' ing the right spirit and ideals, as the Institutes help us' to understand und. help one another in the great and eommon bond of love for our homes ■ and our country. •