HOME & COUNTRY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32302, 20 August 1943, Page 2

HOME & COUNTRY

WAITAKARURU INSTITUTE REPORT ON CONFERENCE FUNDS FOR SOLDIERS’ PARCELS Mrs Pacey presided over a fair attendance of members at the monthly' meeting of the Waitakaruru Women’s Institute held in the Waitakaruru Hall on Wednesday last. In response to a letter from the secretary of the Leper Appeal, it was decided that a donation of £1 be forwarded to help this deserving cause. Mrs Hinton, treasurer, reported that the sum of £7.14s had been received, the result of a collection at a recent football match, the money being donated to the Soldiers’ Parcel Fund. From the sale of pies and tea at the match the institute funds benefitted by £2 14s, thanks being due to Mesdames McLean, Stretton, Ganley and Wallis.

Mesdames A. Coxhead, Hedges, Stretton, Ganley and Wallace were elected to form a library committee. During the afternoon Mrs Pacey who represented the institute at the Dominion Conference at Gisborne, presented her report, which stated that altogether 460 delegates with 29 Maori members attended the conference from all parts of the North Island. The South Island members held their conference in Christchurch a few days later. Gisborne was en fete for the visitors and even provided an aerial escort for the special train which arrived the evening prior to the opening of the conference. Lavish hospitality was extended to the delegates by the Gisborne Federation and residents and all delegates were high in isheir praise of the efforts taken for their comfort, and. entertainment.

The Mayor of Gisborne, Mr Bull opened the conference and paid tribute to the Women’s Institute as a body which endeavoured to improve conditions for country women in particular and also the Dominion as a whole. At a reception held during the conference a number of similar 'bodies the Gisborne Women’s Division, Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the conference members to the town, and congratulated them on their movement.

A number of important remits was discussed, many dealing with child delinquency and the moral laxity among the youth of the country, the majority of the speakers blaming lack of parental control. At the close of the report, Mrs Wallace moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Pacey for the very interesting and entertaining report. This was carried by acclamation. Hostesses for the day were members from Canal road. Competition winners were:— Jug cover.—Mrs Ramsay (Mangatarata).

'Shilling article. —Mrs Cropp (Waitakaruru).