EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1941, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES ANNUAL MEETING OF BUSH FEDERATION. ("Times-Age” Special.) The annual meeting of the Bush Districts Federation of Women’s Institutes was held at Pahiatua on Tuesday, the president, Mrs N. M. Burnett, presiding. The following institutes answered the roll call: Alfredton, Eketahuna, Hamua, Hukanui, Horoeka, Hastwells, Konini, Kaitawa, Kumeroa-Hopelands, Kaiparoro, Mangatainoka, Makomako, Makuri, Mangamutu, Mangamaire, Nireaha, Ngawapurua, Pahiatua, Rakanui, Rongokokako, Woodville. The Mayor of Pahiatua, Mr S. K. Siddells, officially welcomed the delegates. He stressed the point that women’s institutes throughout the country had performed great work so far as the home front was concerned, and he was sure that their efforts in this direction would continue. In her annual report, the president gave a full outline of the federation’s activities. The financial statement revealed a satisfactory credit balance. During the afternoon’s proceedings addresses were delivered by Miss Jerome Spencer, 0.8. E., founder of the institute movement in New Zealand and to whom the meeting expressed gratification for her attendance. The keynote of Miss Spencer's address was democracy. Miss Spencer made the point that it was necessary for people today to take a long view of issues and that whatever they did today should have regard for the circumstances which would arise after the war.. An address was also given by Miss Hazel Johnson who dealt with the development of education among women’s organisations during the past ten years. A report on the Dominion Council was presented by the federation's representative, Mrs W. R. Coulter. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mrs N. M. Burnett: secretary, Mrs F. Schormann; executive committee, Mesdames Nixon, Wenham, Hobbs, Coulter, Weston, Dick, Paterson, Norman. During the course of the proceedings a number of bouquets were presented, the following being the recipients: Mrs Burnett, Miss Spencer, Mrs Nixon (treasurer), Mrs Schormann (secretary), Miss Johnson, -and Mrs Watson (president of the Pahiatua Institute). Refreshments and lunch were provided, those responsible being:—Morning tea, the Mangamutu Institute; lunch, the Pahiatua Institute committee; afternoon tea, sandwiches made by the Pahiatua Institute. The hall was most tastefully decorated with autumn tints. A successful conference concluded with the customary votes of thanks to the chair, the secretary, hostess institutes and the Press. The singing of the National Anthem and “God Defend New Zealand” terminated the proceedings. DRAMA CIRCLE BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT. Members of the Eketahuna Women’s Institute Drama Circle staged a entertainment in the Eketahuna Public Hall on Tuesday night, when they presented four playettes. Considering that this was their first public appearance, the ladies acquitted themselves in good style, and the large audience was not slow to show its appreciation of the players' efforts. The following ladies took part: Mesdames A. Gyde, Olivant, B. McAlister, J. Tolley, F. Schormann, A. H. Gray, E. Albrechtsen, Bowering, and Horton, Misses Ashby, Gallagher, M. Hooper, A. Schormann, ■ A. Williams and A. Schultz. The Eketahuna Concert Orchestra assisted and provided excellent numbers between the plays. At the conclusion of the concert, Mr A. H. Gray, on behalf of the Drama Circle, thanked the audience for attending in such large numbers. He also thanked the Scouts and Orchestra for the great assistance rendered. The proceeds of the entertainment are to be divided evenly between the Boy Scouts, Patriotic Committee and Orchestra.