WOMEN’S DIVISION

Southland Times, Issue 24242, 27 September 1940, Page 9

WOMEN’S DIVISION

BRYDONE: The Brydone branch met in the hall, Mrs Drysdale presiding over a good number of members and friends from Christchurch, Dunedin and Wallacetown. Mrs R. Parker gave a demonstration on icing a birthday cake. Mrs Davidson, on behalf of the members thanked Mrs Parker for the demonstration. The Roll Call gave some variety. It was decided to donate £1 to the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union fighter plane fund, £1 to the local community sing in aid of soldiers’ parcels and 10/- to the Makogai Lepers' fund for Christmas gifts. Competitions resulted:— Soft toy: Miss Taylor 1, Mrs Davidson 2, Mrs G. Coker 3. Best Bloom: N. Hardie 1, Mrs G. Coker 2, Mrs W. Coker 3.

FIVE RIVERS. —At a meeting of the Five Rivers branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union Mrs Cunningham presided over a good attendance. A motion of sympathy was accorded Mrs Malone. Thanks were extended Mrs Smith who donated a cake for the aeroplane fund.

It was decided to hold a card evening to raise funds to supply 10 Christmas parcels for soldiers. The roll call was “A child’s quaint sayings.” The competition for the best mystery parcel was won by Mrs Smith. Miss A. M. Drummond was second.

LUMSDEN BRANCH.— The monthly meeting of the Lumsden branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held recently when Mrs E. Tatham presided over a fair attendance. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mr and Mrs W. Johnston in the loss of their infant son. Miss Gibson, from the Five Rivers branch and Mrs D. McDonald of Balfour, were present. The roll call was “Something made from waste products.” Mrs H. Shuttleworth was in charge of the exchange table for patriotic funds. The competitions resulted as follows: Best bloom: Mrs K. Allen 1, Mrs T. Soper 2; knitting, Mrs Shuttleworth and Mrs Allen equal 1, Mrs Ward 2.

MOKOTUA— The monthly meeting of the Mokotua branch was held in the hall. Mrs Robinson presided over a good attendance of members. It was decided to take a collection at the October meeting for the Makogai lepers. The best bloom competition was won by Miss L. Robinson, with Miss A. Robinson and Miss D. Munro 2 equal. After the meeting a bring-and-buy sale was held in aid of the Fighter Plane Fund, the sum of £6/4/3 being raised. Competitions were won by Mesdames Clearwater, Barker and Gordon, Miss D. Munro and A. Tuffery.

MATAURA BRANCH— The September meeting of the Mataura Women’s Division attracted a good attendance and was presided over by Mrs C. D. Taylor. Invitations were received from the Wyndham and Hedgehope branches of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union and the Mataura Women’s Institute to birthday parties. The question of knitting for crews for minesweepers in New Zealand waters was discussed and members agreed that application should be made for wool to Dominion headquarters. A vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Hocking (secretary) for hex' resume of the business done at the recent executive meeting at Invercargill. At alteration in the division syllabus was made providing for the entertainment of elderly women on October 3 and the Mataura Women’s Institute and Rebekah lodge on November 6. Intimation from headquarters stated that the division was launching an appeal for a fighter plane and help was solicited. A demonstration on first-aid bandaging was given by Mesdames Taylor, Hargest, McConnell and Miss Speden. Monthly competitions resulted: Pot of carrot marmalade, Mrs Wallace 1, Mrs Clearwater 2, Mrs Dickie 3. Flowers, Mrs H. Burns 1, Mrs Dickie 2, Mrs Hocking 3.

MYROSS BUSH— There was only a fair attendance at the monthly meeting of the Myross Bush

branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. Mrs T. Kerr presided. Motions of sympathy were passed with Mesdames Simpson and Dawson. It was agreed to begin the meeting at 8 p.m., from September to April inclusive, and at 7.30 p.m. for the winter months. The competition for October was changed to “Three assorted biscuits,” and that for November . to "Something new from something old,” the garments to be given to some charitable organization. During the social hour a competition was arranged by Miss Hazlett and piano solos were given by Miss D. Fairbairn. Hostesses for the evening were Mesdames Lindsay, Calvert and Baird. Competitions resulted.—Bloom, Miss A. Baird 1, Mrs Baird 2. Marmalade, Mrs Dawson 1, Mrs Baird 2.

ROSLYN BUSH.— The monthly meeting of the Roslyn Bush branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the school. Miss S. A. Calvert presided over a fair attendance. The vice-presidents, Mrs Thompson and Mrs A. C. Jack reported on business dealt with at the executive meeting recently held in Invercargill. Invitations were received to the-Hedge-hope and Morton Mains branches birthday parties. During the afternoon Mrs J. Hargest gave a talk on her visit to' the Waitangi celebrations. An appeal for baby and children’s clothes was made. Competitions resulted: Best six pieces of shortbread: Mrs F. I. Calvert 1, Mrs J. Kennard 2, Miss C. Murphy 3. Best bloom: Mrs J. Hargest 1, Mrs F. I. Calvert 2. Miss C. Murphy 3. Hostesses for the afternoon were the president and Mrs L. A. Whyte. During the winter months a series of euchre parties was run in conjunction with'the school committee for patriotic purposes; the final night' took the form of a social evening, when Miss Calvert presented the aggregate prizes; the women’s to Miss Flora Calvert, and the men’s to Mr A. Marshall. Items were given by the following:—Mesdames W. J. Caldwell and F. I. Calvert (vocal duet), Mrs L. A. Whyte (songs), Mrs R. A. McCaughan (pianoforte solos), Miss Majorie O’Rourke (songs), and Mr J. Grenville (songs). Mr A. C. Jack was master of ceremonies.