LEAGUE OF MOTHERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 181, 2 July 1937, Page 11

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS.

INCREASED MEMBERSHIP. PALMERSTON NORTH BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Palmerston North branch ox the League of Mothers was lieid in the Empire Hall yesterday afternoon, Mrs G. G. Hancox presiding over a large attendance. Associated with Mrs Hancox on the piattorin were Mrs T. Daley (secretary), Mrs R. Currin (treasurer), Mrs D. jfl. Dredge (assistant treasurer), Miss M. MeLagan (non. life vice-pre-sident), Mesdames F. Wilkinson, A. McPherson and E. Herron (vice-pre-sidents). Mrs Hancox extended a welcome and expressed, pleasure in the attendance. J ivo delightful items, “Spinning Wheel Song ’ and “Early One Morning,'’ by tde league choir, pro raced the business programme. Mrs O. Christiansen , conducted the singing, and Mrs C. Grover presided ai the piano.

The report, presented by Mrs Daley, stated, inter alia: —“In presenting this our tenth annual report, we review with gratification the year’s activities commencing from August, 1936. Ten monthly meetings have been held, our average attendance being 250. The membership at present stands at 469, an increase ot 66 on last year’s total, which is most gratifying to the executive. The financial members number 328. The programmes during the year have been varied with addresses, demonstrations, musical items and competitions. The tenth birthday of our branch was celebrated with the fathers and husbands the guests of honour. The magazine and recipe box supervised by Mesdames Herron and Prentice has met with its usual success, being a source of con-

tinual interest to our members. A special national programme was arranged for the Coronation month of May, some very ciever and interesting historical tableaux being presented. The singing circle, under the leadership of Mrs U. Christiansen, with Mrs C. Grover as pianiste, has groiln considerably in numbers and the many items given during the year have been most enthusiastically applauded. This circle has proved a great asset to our branch. It is with regret that we record the passing ot three valued

members, Mrs Hooker, Mrs Griggs, and Mrs Brown. We take this opportunity of thanking all who have given their services to make our meelings so successful. Especially would we mention Miss M. Grant, Mrs H. AV. Keisley, Rev. J. S. Pate. Rev. A. Blakemore and Airs F. O’Connor. Our special thanks are due to Mr Goddard for auditing the books and generally supervising our business affairs.”

The balance-sheet was presented by Mrs Currin, a credit of over £l4 being shown. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet. Mrs Hancox congratulated Mrs Daley and Mrs Currin on their excellent statements. Mrs Daley had taken over the secretarial duties at very short notice on the departure of the former secretary (Mrs G. Young) for Auckland, and had carried them out very efficiently. Mrs Currin’s capabilities were revealed by the balance-sheet, and she' had been capably assisted by Mrs Dredge. The year had been a difficult one, with greatlv increased expenses, but the fact tlmt there was a pleasing balance with which to start the new year, after the payment of levies on meml-crs’ subscriptions had been made to Wellington, was encouraging.

The excellent services rendered by the lion, auditor (Afr Goddard) were commented on. it being decided to send h ; m a letter of thanks.

Before vacating the chair for the election of officers. Airs Hancox thanked the members for their loyal support and co-operation, and the committee for their generous support. The increased membership had meant extra work for the committee, who had shouldered it cheerfully and willingly, she said. CHIEF AIM OF LEAGUE. They had had many happy social gatherings during the year, but they were not the chief aim of the league, pointed out the president. They must not forget the fundamental principles of their organisation, which stood for high ideals in the home, the sanctity of marriage, and wise Christian training for their children. There had been much discussion about the wise use of increased leisure, and to-day, with the use of electricity and so many labour-saving devices in the borne, mothers found more time to interest themselves in outside affairs and to broaden their outlook. and rightly so. The mothers’ first duty, however, was to the home, a healthy and happy home !>eing one of the best assets a child could have. Tt was the duty of mothers to see that their children were well equipped for the journey of life. They had a wonderful set of young people to-day, and if mothers did their part they had nothing to fear. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Aliss M. MeLagan took the chair for the election of officers, and was presented with a bouquet by Airs Hancox. The officers for the coming year are: —President, Airs Hancox; secretary. Airs Daley; treasurer, Airs K. Clarke; assistant treasurer, Airs Dredge; vice-presidents (increased to four instead of three), Alesdames F. AVilkinson. E. Herron, D. S. Dredge, and C. AA’aters; committee (increased from 18 to 20). Alesdames F. Anderson, AV. Childs. O. Christiansen, J. Candy, R. Currin, K. Dempsey, L. Duffin G. Graham. O. H. Jarrett, A. Livingstone. R Alclver, E. T. AlcKain, AV. Aliller. A. AlcPberson, James Afarshnll, AV. Petrie. AV. Pnscne. At. Smillie, V. Stngpoole and W. Whitehead. There were 31 nominations for the committee.

Mrs Hancox resumed her place in the chair immediately upon her reelection, and was enthusiastically applauded. The tea hostesses were Mesdames W. Templeton, Swan. Coleman, W. R. Taylor, Moxon. If. Brake. Pascoe. Bird. Cox, Tiddv. M. Wilkinson, Warren, E. Edwards, Johnson, F. Lucas, Findlay, Graham and J. Barsanti (convener). It was decided that no change should be made in the present method of hostesses paying one shilling and supplies being bought with the money collected. Members in future will be called upon in alphabetical order to act as hostesses, instead of adhering to the present method of calling for volunteers. Mrs H. Drake supplied the following happy thought for the month: “There’s lots more I‘ght than shadow; there’s lots more sun than rain ; there’s lots more good than evil, and lots more joy than pain. There . are valleys, there are hill tops, grim setbacks and success. Though sorrow is a’plenty. there’s still more happiness.” The ' ladies responsible for the decorations were Mesdames C. A. Anderson (convener), R. Mclver. C. W. Drake. F. Anderson, and Bragg. The stage .was attractively arranged with a profusion of greenery, berries and marigolds, a vase of snowdrops, being set on the president’s table. Vases of

spring flowers adorned the tables. Airs F. AVilkinson (the door hostess) thanked'file singing circle for their splendid items, and the tea hostesses. The scrutineers were• thanked by Mrs A. AlcPherson.