ACTIVE YEAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 March 1940, Page 10

ACTIVE YEAR

TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD ASSISTANCE FOR PATRIOTIC PURPOSES. VARIED ROUND OF EVENTS. The fourth annual report of the Masterton Towsnwomen’s Guild, presented at the annual meeting on Tuesday, recorded a successful year, due mainly to the support given by members generally. The report proceeds:— “The guild has suffered loss by removal, through death, of two members. Mrs Elmsley, who was a member of our first committee, and Mrs Shaw, an active member for three years. We extend our sympathy to the relatives of these late members. During the year the catastrophe of war has descended on. the world and. many of our members have sons or other relations who have either gone or are going to join the forces. To these we extend our sympathy and hope their loved ones will be able to return soon to them. When war was declared the committee i immediately offered to the Mayor the i services of the Guild members in any capacity he might deem of use. This oiler was accepted, Mrs W. H. Judd lias been appointed the guild representative on the Ladies' Patriotic Committee; also a team of collectors with Mrs Judd as their captain, has been selected from guild members to canvass for the National Patriotic Fund. As will be seen from the balance

sheet we are in a sound financial position. During the year we have enrolled 27 new members, the total, number of financial members now being 130. Throughout the year there have been eleven general meetings, all except the meeting in November being in the Y.M.C.A. Hall. The November meeting, being our fourth birthday celebrations, we held in the Savage Club room, which, though rather small for the ' number present, has the- advantage of a stage. There was a large attendance including visitors from other Townswomen's Guilds and Women's Institutes, and the extensive programme was much enjoyed. A special meeting was held in March to arrange for a display in the Centennial procession. The December meeting again proved popular, the programme of items being presented by children of members. 'The average attendance at the monthly meetings excluding the birthday and the special meetings, was 80. The social evening held in the Savage Club room in August was a great success both socially and financially and for this thanks are due io the committee, the Drama., Gardening. and Singing Circles and all those who worked so hard.

“At the annual meeting of the council, of the Dominion Federation of Townswomen's Guilds held in Wellington in September. Mrs W. H. Judd was elected for the second time a member of the executive committee. Mesdames Bennett and Lyttle attended this annual meeting as delegates from this guild and were present also at the round table conference held the day before. As formerly the programme for the year was printed ready for the first meeting. This was compiled from suggestions sent in by the members and met with general approval. We wish to thank those who gave addresses and demonstrations which are the main items on our programme, also those who contributed Travel Talks. The speakers were: Mrs Barrer, M.A., •■Pan Pacific''; Miss A. E. Jerome Spencer, 0.8. E.. “ Guild"; Miss E. Stubbings, L.R.S.M., “Rhythmic Band." The demonstrators were: Mrs P. R. Welch, “Covering Eiderdown Quilts": Miss Burton. “Choice of Wallpapers"; Mrs l-I. Thompson and Mrs Ramsay, "St John Ambulance", “First. Aid"; Mrs Hold-| gate, “Physical Culture." The travel i talks were given by: Mrs Shortland. “Honolulu"; Mrs V. Joseph, “Egypt”; Mrs Church, “Trip to Jersey." '

“The Circles play a large part in the life of the guild and our grateful ' thanks are due to the leaders for the lime, thought and energy they give to the work. The Gardening Circle under the leadership of Mrs Shortland has held well attended monthly meetings throughout the year and organised a garden party at. Mrs Gaskin's in Deci ember. The Circle members must be thanked for all. the bouquets and shoulder sprays they made throughout the year and for the beautiful decorations at the birthday and social functions, also arranging an interesting debate for a general meeting. The Singing Circle, loader Miss O'DonnelL also held monthly meetings mostly devoted to practising' part songs. On several occasions members rendered items at the guild meetings and at the social and birthday celebrations and a sextette gave items at other concerts. The Choir travelled to Woodville to attend . the Women’s Institute Festival and were awarded third place for glee singing. The Drama Circle with leader Mrs Hair, have worked hard during the year and have produced two plays, one “Fetters" al the social evening, and the other “Tangled Skeins" at the birthday meeting. They were asked to play “Fetters” in Carterton al; a League of Mothers’ meeting. Mrs Hair arranged an amusing impromptu debate for a guild meeting. The Arts and Crafts Circle leader Mrs P. R. Welch, has produced a great amount of beautiful work with which, they made a fine display at the birthday party and al. the Masterton Show. The Bridge Circle, loader Mrs Hair, held during the winter months enjoyable and instructive fortnightly afternoons. A Study Circle was formed during the year and took for its subject ‘New Zealand History.' “We desire to place on record the splendid work of our president Mis W. H. Judd, during the last four years and regret that she finds its necessary to retire from the presidency and from the committee. She has placed the guild on a sound footing and may retire with the knowledge of work' well done. We are truly grateful to her for the time and work she lias given the guild. Our thanks are clue to Mrs E. Burke for presiding at two committee meetings anc! at the general meeting in September, when Mrs Judd was unable to be present. We wish to thank all office bearers, our treasurer, Mrs Lyttle, and all members of the committee. Our thanks are duo lo our auditor, Mrs Engstrom, also lo J/Irs Andrews, ode distributor. Mrs Hair, tea convenor, Mrs Snowsill. ‘Townsvv’omaiT distributor. Mrs J. C. Thomson, registrar. Mrs H, Thompson and Mrs Day. in charge of the competition table, Miss

Johnstone, pianiste, also to all afternoon tea helpers, door hostesses, those who judged the competitions, to Mr D. McKee Wright, secretary of the Y.M.C.A. for his courteous and valuable assistance, and to the Press for their unfailing courtesy and interest.”