INSTITUTES

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 21, 8 April 1938, Page 3

INSTITUTES

EASTERN BAY FEDERATION GZTENTH ANNUAL MEETING The seventh annual meeting tof the Eastern Bay of Plenty federation of Women’s Institutes was" held in the Parish Hall yesterday. There was a large and representative gathering which was presided .over by Airs Wool l field, of Waimana. The members of the executive committee were: —Mrs C/averhill (Whakatrine W.L), secretary. Airs A'. E. Wilson (Waiotalii) and Airs V. Stewart (Whakatane). Voluntary Organisers: Airs Withy vAlatata), A Li's K. Armstrong (Whakatane). Airs Benda 11 (Aiauawahe), Airs •Dehreceny (Opotiki), Air.-; WardJaw ('Waimana). Airs Bevel!, of 'the Dominion Executive was also present. Each Institute in the area covered was represented by two delegates: Aiauawahe. Alatata, Edgecombe. Otara, Woodlands, \Waiotahi. Whakatane, Otakiri. Taneatua, Omarumutu, Te Jvaha, Waimann-Xukuhou. and Opotiki, were all represented. There were no dclgates present from Oliope and Pa-

The hall was artistic-sly decorated with colourful flowers, the howls of flowers for competition further adding to the "brightness. All present were welcomed by-the hostess. Airs Fox. Proceedings opened with the singing of the Institute Song,' after which Airs Wool field warmly welcomed delegates and members and spoke of the great pleasure all felt in having with them Airs Revell. of the Dominion Executive. An apology for absence was received by the Otara delegate cn behalf of Airs Clem Black. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the secretary, Airs Caverliill. and continued. The presentation of the balance sheet revealed a. very satisfactory, position, and the annual report stated that the-year had been a successful one of steady progress. Mrs Wool fie Id took the opportunity of thanking Airs Caverhill lor the very comprehensive report and' balance sheet and for her excellent services at all times, ••■'lie also thanked the members of the executive for their co-operation 'throughout- the year. A letter was received from Aiiss Andrews, chairman of the New Zealand Committee in connection with tlu- Run-Pacific- Conference. Jhe secretary stated that she had. communicated with Aiiss Andrews and in reply she agreed to attend meetings in Whakatane and Opotiki in June when members of all AY omens Organisations were invited to be present. It was decided to bold an afternoon meeting in YVliakatane and an evening meetin Opotiki. Discussion on the balance- sheet was invited and questions answered. Airs Revell proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Alt’s Caverhill for her excellent services and the vote was responded to with acclamation. The reports of the voluntary organisers: Airs V. Stewart, Whakatane, and Airs \*. E. Wilson, 'Waiotalii, were read. Airs Wilsbn’s report touched on the importance of debates and Airs YYpolficld endorsed Airs. Wilson's remarks and suggested eliminating rounds with the finals to be held at the biannual meeting. . The roll call of delegates was well responded to and then the following remits were dealt- with :

Moved by Edgecumbe W. 1.: “That ;m elementary course of domestic science and dvaritane wcrk be included for Sfds.. 4, o, and G in all schools”. The remit was, amended by the executive committee to “Stds. 5 and 6” and carried. . ; Pfoin Otara AV.T.! “That as ordinary wof'kers now have a 40' hour week, day-light saving he discontinued, as it .causes undue hardship to the farming community”. An amendment irom the Mntnta W.l. read “That the period of daylight ..saving be shortened to November to February (inclusive).” The amendment was lost and the remit unanimously carried. From the Manawahe W.l.: —“That we protest against the country being used as a dumping ground for undesirables.” Carried. From the Otara W. 1.: “That owing to the difficulty <T securing children’s footwear of good quality at a reasonable price, we. approach the authorities concerned to see if an improvement could he effected”. Carried. The delegates c,f the Institutes which presented these . remits spoke in support.

Airs YY'oolfield stated that slie had rccived advice, subsequent to gn inquiry sent to the Dominion Organiser, that where remits could be remedied loyally it should be done and that it was not- necessary to forward such remits to the Dominion Conference. It was announced that twelve nominations had been, received for the executive committee. At present there were nine members hut it had been recommended by the Executive that the number be increased if this was the wish of the Institutes. A ballot would then be unnecessary. , ■ Officers. —The election of president resulted in Airs Woolfiekl being unanimouslvi re-elected. The newly-elected members were: Airs Alatthews (YVhakatane). Airs Crang (Edgecuinbe) and Airs Le Lievrc (Edgecumbe); Competitions.—The winners of the competitions which were in charge of Airs J. D. Dicker, were announced. Bowl of flowers; All’s Beattie 1, All’s AlcAlillan (2 bowls) 2, Mrs Aliller 3. Shortbread: Airs Barbour 1, Mrs Alitchell (Waimana) 2, Airs Alulhern 3. Thrift Article: Airs Brown (Te Ivaha, plaited belt) 1, Airs H. R. Noble (lamp stand) 2, Airs Looney (footstool) 3. Airs I. Savage (YVaimana, coloured felt bag) 4. The successful competitors were presented with charming presents by the president. The reports of the activities of the various Institutes throughout the year were presented. , Address by Mrs. Revell.

Airs. Revell, of the Dominion Executive, then addressed the gathering. She complimented Airs WooJfield and the executive on the capable manner in which the meeting had been conducted. She spoke of the pleasure it gave her to be present and how from such an opportunity she found she was able not only to teach but- to learn many things. She felt- sure, after listening to the various reports of the aetivtics of the Institutes that it was quite unnecessary for her to ■point out their obligations. Airs Revell then delivered a most interesting talk on her childhood days in the hackblocks -of Hokianga 1 . She was both interesting and amusing in the little stories she related in connection with the pioneering of that district. She told of her early life* and hardships, she explained, to convince the members that she, too, knew of the hardships of the back blocks. Ah’s Revell convened greetings irom the members of the Dominion Executive and spoke of many matters ol interest which would take place at the Conference. She paid a high tribute to Airs Kelso, the Dominion Organiser, and read a- copy of one of a series of addresses which All’s Kelso broadcasts. ' The speaker stated that one of All’s Kelso’s aims was to. have the nationalisation of electricity, anu pointed out the benefits to be derived. She concluded her most interesting address by reading the beautiful and very appropriate ooem ‘‘l he Torch Bearer’ .

Airs Withy, on behalf oi the executive and members, presented Airs Revell with a charming floral posy. Airs J. D. Fisher on behalf of the Federation presented Airs AY oojfield with a floral tribute and a dainty posy was presented; to Ylrs Oaverhill by Airs IT. 1L Noble.

All’s A. I'j. Martin, on behalf of the W.D.F.r. expressed 1 their appreciation of the cordial invitation which had been extended to them to be present at the gathering. Airs Alartm further pointed out the willingness of the Division members to co-operate at all times with the Institutes. Mrs. Woolfield said that tangible evidence of this bad been given by the Division’s kindly act in allowing them the use of the ball for their meeting, when they bad previously engaged it for their o wn uses. She expressed the thanks of the Federation to the Divison. Other small matters were discussed and the meeting was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.

A dainty afternoon tea was dispensed and brought a very successful gathering to a close.