HOME & COUNTRY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32407, 15 March 1944, Page 2

HOME & COUNTRY

WAITAKARURU INSTITUTE ANNUAL MEETING HELD OFFICERS FOR YEAR ELECTED The annual meeting of the Waitakaruru Women’s Institute was held in the Waitakaruru Hall on Wednesday, March 8. The president, Mrs Pacey, presided over a fair attendance. The secretary, Mrs l Mitchell, read further letters of appreciation from local boys serving overseas, to whom parcels had been sent. The boys acknowledging these were:—Sapper C. Hardwick, Pte. E. Duffin, Tel. T. 0. M. Bates (N.Z. Navy), Pte. C. Redmond and Flight-Lieut. B. Leonard. All were obviously delighted- to receive their parcels and asked that thanks be expressed to the donors. Mrs- Hinton presented the- financial report. Activities During Year Following lunch, Mrs McPherson sang two solos, before the annual meeting was proceeded with.

The secretary, in presenting her annual report which was very detailed, showed the amount of work done by the institute. Delegates had ■been sent to the council meetings- in Auckland and to the Dominion Conference and an ei/try had 'been sent to the May competition tables where high marks had ibeen gained. The sales table had been well patronised and all members had helped with- the programmes, since the innovation of each road taking a turn in providing the entertainment had 'been introduced. The collection for the orphanages appeal had brought in the sum £4 9s and £1 5s- sent to the Leper Fund. Members- had gone to sports meetings and sold pies which had raised money for worthwhile causes. The library still functioned well under the direction of Mrs Stretton and it was felt that the institute had provided the district with something from which the whole district gained, benefit. Soldiers’ Parcel Fund The greatest work undertaken by the institute undoubtedly, is the soldiers’ parcel fund, but this could never have been achieved without the support and generosity of the general public. At the close of the -financial year this stood at £B2 17s '6d. Thanks were extended to the Plunket Society which allocated part of the" takings from the sales lunches to this fund. This year the amount was £25 6s. Miss Marshall of Mangatarata also was thanked as each month she has made a beautiful crochet jug cover or d’Oyley. and the amount raised from these was no less than £22 15s 9d. Other donations had been received from dances. In all 106 parcels had' been, sent to the boys, and the prisoners of war had each had the equivalent given the next-of-kin the amount being £8 10's Od. As the patriotic quota of -parcels had been sent by the patriotic committee on the last occasion it was decided that the equivalent in money be given to the patriotic fund to covei* the cost. Patriotic Knitting

Mrs Pacey and Mrs Cropp gave reports on the knitting done for patriotic purposes and though there was not so much done as in the previous year, there had 'been a good number of knitted garments sent away. Commenting on the report the president, Mrs Pacey, expressed her sincere thanks to all who had helpedin any way, particularly the secretary, treasurer, committee, and the helpers generally. Mrs Hinton, treasurer, gave the financial report, which was mosTsatisfactory and leaves a good balance for the incoming committee. There were no nominations 1 for president and despite the fact that Mrs Pacey wished to retire, she was persuaded to take office once more. Mrs Cropp, senior vice-president, then presented Mrs Pacey with a bouquet on behalf of members, expressing their thanks for all she had done for the institute. Similar bouquets and' thanks were handed' to Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Hinton and the librarian, Mrs Stretton, whilst Mrs McPherson presented Mrs Cropp with flowers, and also with a gift from friends whom Mrs Cropp has brought to the meetings each month. The incoming committee is as follows:—Mesdames Pacey, Mitchell, Hinton, Wallis, Ganley, Stretton, Simpson, Dick, Broadbent, McPherson. SPEERS—McGREGOR The engagement is announced between Pte. Norman Speers, N.Z.E.F., youngest son of Mrs E. Speers and the late Mr A. Speers of' Massey street, Thames, and Sylvia Georgian, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs G. McGregor, Maratoto Valley, Hikutaia.