WOMEN'S INSTITUTE HALL OPENED AT AWATOTO

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 59, 2 December 1937, Page 8

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE HALL OPENED AT AWATOTO

Many institute members and friends gathered at Awatoto yesterday afternoon, when Miss J erome Spencer, O.B.E., officially opened the Awatoto Women 5s Institute Hall, on the .occasion of their annual flower show and sale of work. "I consider it an honc^ir and a privilege to be present here to-day," declared Miss Spencer, "and I congratulate the "Awatoto Institute on their courage and enterprise in building .their own hall. They liave led the way in Hawke's Bay, for no other institute in the whole of the ^ Hawke's Bay Federation has built its own hall. "This institute has set a fine example, inasmuch as they have provided, not for themselves alone, but for the community, as Awatoto has been without a public hall for eleven years. " Miss Spencer offered her warmest congratulations to the institute on the success they hadcachieved. Mrs. E. Grant, president of the Awatoto Institute, thanked all who had so generously helped in many ways, and called upon the secretary, Miss Bennett, to read a letter of apelogy (with cheque enclosed) from the Hon. W. -E. Barnard, who was to have opened the hall but, owing to Parliamentary duties, was unabie to attend. A telegram expressing cosgratulations and good wishes was also received from Mr. Barnard, and a letter from the Pakowhai Women 's Institute conveyed their best wishes. Mrs. C. J. Baker, of Haumoana, apoiogised for the abaence of Mrs. D. J. Biggir, of Maraetotara, president of the Northern H.B. Federation of Women 's Institutes, and conveyed Mrs. Biggir 5s love and very best wishes for the success of the institu'te. Mrs. N. West, former president, spoke a f ew words of praise for the menfolk of the community, who had come forward and had done such great work. Mr, E. Grant, who was also present, thanked Mrs. C. Corner, on behalf of the institute, for the lovely bouquet of roses which she had made, this having been presented to Miss Spencer by Mrs Ford, the first president of the Awatoto W.I. All present were theii invited to view the entries in all sections in the flower show, which were excellent, and the stalls of home-made sweets, eakes and clothing did brisk business during the afternoon, and tontinued in the evening. Mrs. Grant thanked Mrs.- A. B. Hurst, Miss A. Neilson, Miss G. Atkins, and Mr. C, W. Corner, who had so, kindly judged the many entries received for the show. •