INSTITUTES

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 25, 22 April 1938, Page 4

INSTITUTES

CONFERENCE REPORT The following report was presented by Mrs. Cavern'S,i, secretary ■of the Eastern Bay of Plenty federation of Women’s Institutes, lit their annual meeting, held recently at Opotiki: — Under .tile guidance, of Mrs Wooifield, we have had a very pleasant year andi can report steady progress Meetings.—Seven meetings have been held, and these have all been very well attended. During the year our executive has suffered considerably through resignations. Mi’s Thom and Mi s Looney both resigned in the early part of the year : the former left the district, the latter found it impossible to attend our meetings. Mrs Armstrong relinquished, her office as secretary-treasurer, which w© regretted very much as she has done valuable work for our Federation. Owing to the two resignations we found: it necessary to co-opt Mrs Wardlaw.

Finance.—-The' position as seen by our financial statement is at present iairly satisfactory. Our affiliation fees and donations have come m well. Members might lie reminded that when making donations to the Dominion Federation to please forward these through the local federation. 'This would simplify matters a good deal. Organisers.—Our Y.O’s are all doinf very, good work which is very much appreciated by the executive. Mrs Stewart has conducted a number ol arts and: crafts schools. We have found it necessary to insure against accident, all three organisers, as there is so much travelling involved' when they are visiting Institutes. We still have need for a Y.O. at the Opotiki end of the Federation.

W.I. Deports. —It is. very’necessary for Press correspondents to send m reports 6f meetings regularly to Mrs Du Pontet.

Bound Table Conference. —Mrs Armstrong attended this conference on behalf of the Federation, and Mrs Stewart, as our Y.O. Both of these delegates brought back very) full reports and all Women’s institutes have bad visits from them. Medical Commission. —All's Wilson on behalf of' the Federation submitted suggestions at the Commission of Inquiry into the Maternity Services of the Dominion. All's Wilson suggested that maternity annexes be attached to all Public Hospitals and also that ma-

ternity services similar to those available to the Maoris be established. Winter .Show Stall —All Institutes contributed to the Federation. Stall at the Winter Show which was this year conducted by the Whakatane W.I. We are indebted to them for .their substantial help. Drama. —During the year a successful Drama Festival was'held at Taneatua. We appreciated very much the manner in which Taneatua Women’s Institute carried out the arrangements. A successful Drama School was held in Whakatane. Miss Loe of the B.D.L'. was the tutor. Our bi-annual Council meeting was held at Eldgecumbe. This was well attended and several resolutions were brought forward for discussion. Our thanks are due to the Edgecumbe W. I. for the manner in which they entertained us. ' ' On behalf of the Federation I would like to expres our appreciation to members and others -who have helped in the carrying oh of the work throughout the Federation in the oast year. We are specially .-indebted to the Borough Council for the use of their room for our executive meetings.