MAURICEVILLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1943, Page 5

MAURICEVILLE

WOMEN’S DIVISION

MONTHLY MEETING OF MEMBERS. , (“Times-Age” Special.) Mrs Cheetham presided over a fair attendance at the monthly meeting of the Mauriceville-Ihuraua branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers' Union, held at the home of Mrs Childs. Mauriceville East. Donations to the A.N.A. Club in Wellington resulted in a bag of vegetables, a box of eggs, and a box of mixed food stuffs (chiefly butter and tea) being packed.

The competition for the best bloom was won by Mrs Forsberg, and Mrs Judd's trophy was won by Miss Betty Dagg. Several letters were received from service men overseas expressing appreciation for parcels forwarded by the branch. It was decided to hold a “Kiddies’ Carnival" and a “White Elephant” sale in October, each of the four districts to have a candidate and form its own committee to support the same.

Afternoon tea was served, and a vote of thanks accorded Mrs Childs for the use of her home.

SOLDIERS HONOURED A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. The Mauriceville East Hall was packed last night, when the local returned service men, together with their companions, were entertained at a social gathering convened in their honour. Mrs Baine, president of the Mauriceville District Women's Institute, welcomed the guests and expressed- the pleasure of the members of the Institute and .the residents generally at having the privilege of entertaining the returned men at the gathering held that night in their honour. The residents of the district looked forward to the time when the men would be back from overseas, said Mrs Baine, who wished them the best of luck.

Mr V, r . Bird briefly spoke, and voiced the opinion of all residents when expressing delight at seeing the service men back home on furlough It was to be regretted they had not come as a body to remain, but he hoped that time would not be too far distant. Mr Bird made special reference to Lieut. Ngarimu, and to the Maori Battalion as a whole, and said that too much honour could not be given to the Maori soldiers for their great work in the war. There were 12 returned service men present, and each in turn suitably responded. They particularly stressed their appreciation of the parcels received when overseas from the various women's organisations. The men were handed an envelope containing money. Mrs Miller, of Koouaranga, gave two elocutionary items, which were much appreciated.

Messrs J. A. Baine and Geo. McWhirter acted as M’s.C., and the music was supplied by Mr Jack Barnes's orchestra. Miss Madsen, of Hastwell, and others played extras. The supper arrangements were in the capable hands of members of the Women's Institute.