THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Southland Times, Issue 24241, 26 September 1940, Page 9

THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

SOUTHERN SOUTHLAND FEDERATION Meetings of the Women’s Institutes in the Southern Southland Federation have been held as follows:—

BLUFF.— Mrs McKinney, president, presided over a fairly good attendance of members at the monthly meeting. The motto was: “He who never makes a mistake never makes anything. Mrs Porter gave the “Golden Thread talk on “One Line of the Creed.” Five groups were formed to make up the soldiers’ parcels for overseas. It was decided to hold the second birthday party of the institute on September 21 in the Athenaeum Hall to take the form of a social evening. The roll call was: “Twelve articles I would take on a desert island.” Competitions resulted. Knitted singlets: Mrs. McKinney 1, Mrs Porter 2. Best bloom: Mrs Tennet 1, Mrs Weir 2. Best spray: Mrs Challis 1, Miss Hunter 2. Hostesses for afternoon tea were: Mesdames Fowler, convener, Jamieson, Johnston, Campbell, Harris.

CLIFTON.— The Clifton monthly meeting was held at the residence of Mrs Gibbs, Mrs Jordan presiding over eleven members. The motto Was: A wise woman is one who makes the most of what she gets the worst of.” The roll call was, “Article for refugees. Mrs Leith demonstrated the making of baskets from rushes and raffia and was accorded a vote of thanks. Competitions resulted Something from a sugar bag: Mrs Jordan 1, Mrs Boyd and Miss Burtenshaw equal 2, Mrs Reinke 3. Best bloom: Miss Burtenshaw 1, Mrs Lilley 2, Mrs Smith 3. Posy: Mrs Smith 1, Mrs Boyd 2, Miss Burtenshaw 3. These were judged by Mrs Leith. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs Lilley and Miss Burtenshaw.

COLLINGWOOD.— Mrs R. Hall presided at the monthly meeting. The motto was: “Don’t waste water and then pray for rain,” and the roll call, “The place I would like to live in, and why.” Owing to Mrs France being unable to carry on as president, Mrs D. Mulvey was elected. Mrs Mulvey gave a report on the Dominion Council meeting. A demonstration on crystallizing flowers was given by Mrs Mulvey. Competitions resulted: —Six assorted sandwiches: Mrs J Hall 1, Mrs Mulvey 2, Mrs Crooks 3. Best bloom: Mrs J. H. Bird 1, Mrs Garrett 2, Mrs J. Hall 3. Hostesses for the meeting were Mesdames J. H. Bird, P. Garrett and W. H. Crooks.

DIPTON.— Miss Shand presided over a fair attendance of members at the monthly meeting. The members stood in silence as a mark of sympathy with a member who had suffered bereavement. The motto was: “Three things come not back again, the sped arrow, the spoken word and the lost opportunity.” The roll call was: A spring cleaning hint. For the Golden Thread Mrs Cavanagh chose an interesting author, William de Morgan. It was decided to send a donation to the Makogai Leper appeal. Arrangements were discussed for the forthcoming birthday, and a welcome was extended to Mrs Warnock. During the social half-hour the president referred to Mrs McLennan’s departure from the district and asked her to accept a cup, saucer and plate as a memento of the happy times spent at the meetings. Mrs McLennan replied. Miss Wood gave an interesting demonstration on egg shell mosaic. Competitions resulted: Best bloom, Miss I. McCurdy 1, Mrs J. McLean 2, Mrs E. O’Callaghan 3. Baked custard, Mrs E. O’Callaghan 1, Mrs J. McLean 2. Supper was served by the hostesses, Mesdames Palmer, McLennan and Cavanagh.

HAWTHORNDALE.— Mrs Davie presided over a good attendance at the monthly meeting. Mesdames D. Bryan and Allison were elected delegates to the half-yearly council meeting. An invitation to the Tisbury birthday party was received. A letter tendering her resignation was read from Mrs Davie, who is leaving for Mataura. This was received with regret. The new president presented Mrs Davie with an Institute spoon. Mrs Mulvey was present and gave a talk on institute work. A demonstration on home nursing was given by Mrs D. E. S. Mason, of Bluff. Both visitors were given a hearty vote of thanks. A ballot for president, conducted by Mrs Mulvey, resulted in Mrs Pankhurst being elected. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mesdames W. Peterson, G. Peterson, Baker and Pankhurst.

KENNINGTON.— Mrs S. J. Henderson presided over a fair attendance of members at the monthly meeting, which opened with the National Anthem, followed by the “Ode” and the “Creed.” The motto was: “It is easy finding reasons why other folk should be patient.” The roll call was a question box. Mrs Burgess gave a demonstration on the making of seagrass stools. During the social half-hour a game was won by Mrs McLean. It was decided to send a Christmas cake to the local soldiers overseas. Competitions resulted: Vase of flowers: Mrs Collins 1, Mesdames A. Henderson, Sampson, McDonald and R. Alexander equal 2, Mrs Matheson 3. Three best parsnips: Mrs A. Henderson I, Mrs Matheson 2. Hostesses for the afternoon were: Mesdames Collins and J. Alexander.

MATAURA.—A concert programme was given by members of the Mataura Women’s Institute to celebrate the seventh anniversary of its establishment. The function was staged in the Horticultural Hall before a good representation of the public. Mrs S. E. Smith (president) extended a welcome. The programme was as follows: Navy Choruses by the company; tableau, produced by Mrs D. A. Bell (Mesdames J. McGregor, E. Edwards, W. Buchanan, R. Hutton, V. H. Ball, K. C. Christiansen, R. Shore, L. G. Brazier, G. Patterson, I. Marshall, A. T. Walker, F. Poskitt, O. E. Hubener, J. Watson, Misses Doris Pryde, Isobel Dickie, Baineaves and Margarita Smith); monologue, Mrs C. D. McConnell; dance, Miss Lewis (Invercargill); sketch, Mr E. Richmond and Mrs T. Piercy; sketch, Mrs McGregor, Mrs G. Sinclair, Mr P. Graham and Mr Edwards; Gypsy choruses, Mesdames A. Turner, W. Buchanan, I. Marshall, G. Patterson, J. White, T. K. Fisher, F. Bryant, C. Cruickshank, L. J. Brazier and R. Balloch; one-act play, produced by Mrs T. J. Quilter (Mesdames C. D. McConnell, T. P. Bogue, T. K. Fisher, Messrs H. Anderson, A. B. Littlejohn, W. Folster and L. Major). Mrs S. E. Smith and Mr E. Edwards acted as accompanists.

SPAR BUSH.—The monthly meeting was held in the public hall. The roll call was: “What should be done in a case of poisoning.” Mrs Cole read a paper on “Women and the great work awaiting them.” Competitions resulted: Four oatcakes, Mrs McCrostie 1, Mrs Moore 2, Mrs Clive 3. Darn on man’s sox done at meeting, Miss J. Cartwright 1, Mrs Dalrymple and Mrs J. Cartwright equal 2, Mrs Drain and Mrs Dawson equal 3. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mesdames McCrostie and Souter.

TISBURY.— Mrs McDermott presided over a good attendance of members. The motto was: “If you dan’t have the best, make the best of what you have," and the roll call, “Suggestions for useful article in first-aid chest.” Miss Mavis McCann’s resignation was received with regret and Mrs P. Johnston

was elected treasurer. Mrs McCann and Miss McCann are leaving the district. Competitions resulted:—Best bloom: Mrs Penny and Mrs Girvan equal 1, Mrs H. Johnston 2, Mrs McDermott 3. Points competition:—Coco-nut ice: Mrs McDermott 1. Mrs H. Johnston 2.

WAIANIWA.— Mrs Bruland presided over a good attendance of members. The motto was: “Love of nature prevents dullness,” and the roll call “The shop window I like best.” An invitation was received to the Ohai birthday party. The bring-ahd-buy sale enabled £45 to be handed to the Fighter Plane Fund and £” to the Ladies Patriotic Committee. Mrs Mulvey was present and reported on the council meeting in Wel-

lington, and also demonstrated the crystallizing of flowers. Competitions resulted: Article from yard of cretonne, Miss Hunter and Miss Young equal 1, Mrs Hunter 2, Mrs Mannagh 3. Treacle scones, Mrs G. Young 1, Mrs Fraser 2, Mrs Hunter 3. Best bloom, Mrs Lindsay 1, Mrs Cartwright 2, Mrs Robertson 3. Best vegetable, Mrs Bruland 1, Mrs Fraser 2, Mrs Hunter 3. Hostesses for the meeting were Misses Steans and Macpherson.

WINTON.— The president (Mrs E. C. Webb) presided at the monthly meeting of the Winton Women’s Institute. The roll cal! was: “Suggestions for the birthday,” and the motto, “Cheerful meetings together bring much joy.” Mrs

McKenzie was appointed delegate to the council meeting. Gifts were handed in by members for the Navy, and a donation to be sent for soldiers’ parcels. A demonstration on crystallized flowers and silk art work was given by Mrs P. Egerton.. A competition arranged by Mrs Davies was won by Mrs McGregor. Competitions resulted:—Best daffodil: Mrs Reynolds 1, Mrs T. Egerton 2, Mrs E. Davis 3. Knitted novelty: Mrs McGregor 1, Mrs H. Pierce 2, Mrs T. Egerton 3.

WOODEND.— Mrs V. Jordan presided over a good attendance of members at the monthly meeting. The members stood in silence as a mark of sympathy with Mrs Harvey in the loss of

her husband. An invitation was received to the Tisbury birthday party. The motto was: “Be a self-starter.” The roll call was “Something for the Lepers.” ’’’his resulted in a parcel being forwarded. Competitions resulted: Dress costing not more than 10/- to be worn by maker, Mrs Lapham and Miss Leith equal 1, Mesdames Jennings and Wardrop equal 2, Mrs Jordan 3. Best bloom, Mrs teardrop 1, Mesdames Shepherd and Saunders equal 2, Mrs Lapham 3. The monthly shilling for soldiers was collected and it was agreed to send parcels overseas to the seven local men and a nurse. Money boxes were presented to Baby Williams and Baby Johnstone. Arrangements were made for a bring-and-buy show. Mrs

Mulvey addressed the meeting. Hostesses for the meeting were Mrs Lapham and Miss Leith.