W.D.F.U.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 115, 13 April 1940, Page 11

W.D.F.U.

ANNUAL MEETING. The thirteenth annual meeting of the Palmerston North branch ol the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union took place at Messrs Collinson and Cuiininghame’s tearooms, on Thursday. Mrs W. F. Field presided. Sympathy was extended to those who had suffered bereavement during the year and those who were ill, especially Mesdamcs Thomson and Harkness and Miss Jefferson. The meeting stood in silence as a mark of respect to the late Premier. A letter was received from Captain Bloomfield, of the Maori Battalion, expressing thanks for socks sent fo the men. „ Reports were given by Mrs Robertson on the work of flic Crippled Children’s Society’s Girls’ Club, and Mesdaines Adcock, J. C. Riddle and Mewctt and Miss Matheson, for the hospital visitors. A vote of thanks was accorded these ladies. Jt was reported that the branch had made gifts of socks to the men of the Maori Battalion and a number of members undertook to mend socks. Mrs Field thanked the committee members for their help in making the year a success and the members for their support. She also thanked the secretary (Miss M. Matheson) and the treasurer (Mrs E. B. Jennings) for their untiring service. Splendid cooperation had been shown in the work for the recent patriotic effort. Mrs Field also mentioned that 19 housekeepers had been placed in positions and illustrated the assistance that had

been rendered in necessitous cases by supply housekeepers. The report stated that the year had commenced with 148 members (137 senior and 11 junior), and the membership now stood at 161 financial (155 senior and 6 junior). Members had loyally kept up their attendance in spite of disorganisation due to the war. The financial position was sound, the balance-sheet showing a substantial credit balance. Credit was due to Mrs Jennings (treasurer) for her able work. The main source of revenue was the stall at the A. and P. Show, which was well supported. Mrs H. Millard (vice-president) and Miss M. Mathcson represented the branch at the Dominion Conference; Mesdames Field, Jennings and AY. Howell were delegates to the Wellington Central Provincial Council; Mrs Robertson and Miss Mathcson acted as representatives in the Crippled Children’s Society. The activities of the branch had been many and varied, and included the Patriotic Committee on which Mrs Field represented it. The report went on to deal with the various charitable activities of the branch. Mrs Field, who was also provincial housekeeper secretary, had been pressed at times to supply housekeepers to country homes, and thanks were accorded her for her untiring work in this branch. Thanks were also extended to Messrs Collinson and Cunningliame for the continued use of a room for meetings, and all who had helped the branch. The report was presented by the secretary (Miss Mathcson) and the bal-ance-sheet by the treasurer (Mrs Jennings). Mrs Field, moving the adoption of both, commented on the satisfactory position. Help had never been refused to deserving eases. It was agreed, on the recommendation of the committee, to send £lO to the provincial community chest. Thanks were conveyed to Mesdames Cvoucher, Robertson, _ Whitson and Montgomery for arranging _ the division's table in the table-setting display competition. It was decided to pay an affiliation fee for the delegates to the Crippled Children’s Society. Thanks were extended to Mrs I'icld for her work and leadership throughout the year, before she vacated the chair for the election of officers. Mrs H. Millard taking the chair. The election resulted: President, Mrs 1 mid; vice-presidents, Mesdames Green, Millard, Cruncher and Montgomery; secretary, Miss M. Mathcson; treasurer, Mrs K 11. Jennings; advisory members, the president and Mrs Buchanan l and Miss Matkeson ; delegates to the provincial, the president, Mesdames IT. Millard and R. B. Robertson; delegates to Dominion conference, the president, Mrs Millard and Miss Mathcson ; committee. the delegates and Mesdames H. Middleton. "\V. T omlinson, A. T. Nidi oils, C. Eglington, .1. A. Russell, AY. J. Cloudier, C. Shan-

non, Seymour, Avery, Muir, AV. Aturray, Taylor, Abraham, Bond, J. C. Riddle, Adcock, Alurray, J. AlcAlahon, Mitchell, Gilchrist, F. Cowing, Hodson, H. H. Harris, Crawford, Watson, and Misses Stewart (2) and Rawstron. Alesdames Robertson and Gowing were appointed delegates to the ' Crippled Children’s Society, and Alesdames Harris and Adcock were appointed, hospital visitors for the month. Prior to the annual meeting a committee meeting was held with Airs Field in the- chair, also present being Alesdames I). Buchanan, AY. J. Croueher, C. Eglinton, H. R. Green, H. H. Harris, J. AlcAlahon, H. AJid.dlcton, AI. Alnir, AV. Montgomery, FI. Millard, AA r . Alurray, A. E. Nicholls, R. B. Robertson. AV. G. Shannon, AA r . Tomlinson, E: B. Jennings, Alisses Rawstron and AI. ATntheson (lion, secretary). Sympathy was expressed with Mrs Creighton, one of the housekeepers, whose father had passed away.