INSTITUTES

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 23, 13 April 1938, Page 4

INSTITUTES

OPOTIKI MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Opotiki Women’s Institute ,was held on Saturday evening. About 60 members were present, Mrs Fisher presiding The meeting was opened with the singing of the Institute Song, after which tixe president read the Creed. A large amount of business was dealt with. Eight new members were enrolled and welcomed. Mrs Fisher was chosen as n delegate to attend the Dominion Conference to be held in Wellington in July. Arrangements were made for the Pioneer Afternoon to be held on Thursday, April 21st. Two prizes were presented to Mrs MacMillan, she having gained most points in competitions held during tlie year for needlework and flowers. A very instructive and helpful demonstration was given by Mrs Martin (Woodlands) on the art of handaging. The roll call was a Comprehensive Story. The audience was delighted with a travel talk by Miss Morgan. She spoke of a recent trip, home to England and Scotland, and made all parts of her journey; most interesting to, her listeners. Our cver-popular soloist, Miss Samson, charmed the audience with her delightful rendering of the song “Coming Home”, and pleasingly responded to an encore. The hostesses for the evening were members of the newly elected committee. It- was arranged to hold the Gardening Circle at Miss Neilson’s on Friday, 22nd. April. OTARA MONTHLY MEETING The regular monthly meeting of the Otara Women’s Institute was held yesterday in the Otara Hall, Mrs McCallion presiding, over a fair attendance, and two new, members were eleeted. The Institute Song and the Women’s Creed were followed by a business session. Mrs K. Brown was chosen as delegate for the Wellington Conference in July. Miss Joan Moriee gave* a splendid report on the recent Federation meeting in Opotiki. Arrangements were made for the supplies and decorations at the Chrysanthemum Show to he held in May. Tiie subject. “Local History” was chosen for golden thread items for the coming year. An appeal was made for the whole-hearted support

of the Drama Festival to be held this month. jA sales table to aid delegates’ funds was well stocked and in the hands of Mrs Earp. An invitation to' the Te Kaha Institute birthday party was received and it is hoped that several members wil be able to attend. Afternoon tea was kindly supplied and served by the officers, Mrs McOallion, Mrs K. Brojvn and Miss Harrison; There followed a social half-hour arranged by Mrs P. Black. Community singing was enjoyed and a recitation, “The Water Wheel” was pleasingly given by Miss K. Lambert. Amusing competitions were arranged by iMrs Earp and Miss Neilson and an interesting Roll Call was “Re-action to Annoyance”. Votes of thanks to Mrs Black and the hostesses were followed by the National Anthem. FEDERATION MEETIESGi THE .ANNUAL REPORT Mrs V. Wilson, voluntary organiser of the Opotiki and district section of the Ela stern Bay of Plenty Federation of Women’s Institutes, reported as follows at the annual meeting :* The membership figures lor the year just ended remain about the same, showing, if anything, a slight increase. The institutes have had a successful year, and with the formation of new committees completed, and programmes on way for the forthcoming year, we are all looking ■ forward to a year of happy and useful activity. I visited all the institutes with one exception, for their November meetings which had been set aside as an International Day. It was surprising to see the variety and originality of the programmes and I was more than pleased with the interest shown. Flags, dressed dolls, towns, food of inhabitants, being among the competitions, and a wide variety of articles from other lands being among the exhibitions. Mrs Watts - mentioned Countrymen’s Work for Peace borne out by leading magazines and asked us to select November as Peace Day. The outstanding contribution in this direction was from Waimana where readings from the Press on various peace activities were givoi. a specially fine poem being read by Mrs Wvlde. This outlook is being so strongly emphasised in other women’s organisations that it would be a pity for Women’s Institutes to be slow to see its importance. The exchange of programmes has been very popular