REST HOME OPENED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 42, 20 February 1939, Page 2

REST HOME OPENED

TO BE USED FOR TIRED COUNTRY MOTHERS W.D.F.U. ACHIEVEMENT For a number of years it has been the dream of the Women’s Division of the Farmers' Union that a rest home for tired country mothers should be established. • Now the I dream has come true, and it was a happy and proud day for the Dominion president (Mrs. J. C. Wickham) and other officials of the W.D. on Saturday on the occasion of the official opening of "Kianga-Moe” (formerly Girls’ Flock House) near Palmerston North. There was a very large and representative gathering at the function, people from all parts of New Zealand being present. Apologies were received from Her Excellency Lady Galway, the Hon. Lee Martin and Mrs. Martin, the Hon. P. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser, ah of whom sent greetings and good wishes. Telegrams and letters of greeting were also received from numerous branches of the W.D. in all parts of New Zealand, also officials and many interested supporters of the organisation. Mesdames C. K. Wilson, of Pio Pio, T. R. Barrer (Masterton), and C. C. Jackson, were among the officials present, to-

gether with members of the board of management. A welcome was extended to the following visitors: Mi. and Mrs. A. Sutherland (trustees of Flock House), Mr. and Mrs. J. Moore (Makuri), Miss Warburton (associated with Flock House), Mrs. E. O. Bond, Mr. and Mrs. L. I. Plimmer (Farmers’ Union), Miss Kinross (Turakina) Maori Girls’ College), Mr. and Mrs. Barnhill, Miss D. Wright (Old People's Home), Miss E. Aitken (Crippled Children’s Association), Mr. and Mrs. Stuart (trustees), Miss Hazel Johnson (Sarah Ann Rhodes Fellowship), Mrs. W. G. Black (Crippled Children's Society), Mr. and Mrs. Mansford (Mayor and Mayoress, Palmerston North), also to the speaker, officials and visitors from branches. The speakers included Mrs. J. C. Wickham, Mrs. H. Paterson, of Pahiatua (representing the National Council of Women!, Miss Grant (North Wellington Federation of Women’s Institutes), Mrs. Mansford (Mayoress of Palmerston North), Professor Peren (Massey College), Miss Banks (matron of hospital), Mr. Lees, Major Hume and members of the Farmers’ Union The Hon. E. Newman performed the opening ceremony. . Branches in Wanganui, Marton and surrounding districts were weil represented, and among the many hundreds present were the presidents and members of numerous branches, as well as members of other organisations Other places from which visitors came for the opening ceremony included Te Kuiti, Wellington, Putaruru, Bunnythorpe, Tutaenui, Ohau, Levin, Wangaehu, Upper Hutt, Makirikiri. Mangere, Inglewood, Stratford, Hawera, Southland, Puniwhakau, Rongotea, Mckoia, Shannon, Mauriceville, Carterton, Westmere, Auckland, Dannevirke, Kaitoke, Pahiatua, South Makirikiri, Feilding, Kohinui, Mangaroa, Christchurch. Alton, Triaumea, Waverley, Eltham, Alfredton, Turakina, Ashhurst, Maharahara, Kimbolton, Woodville, Napier, Okoia, Kiwitea. Otaki, Tarurutangi (Taranaki).

Regret was expressed by Mrs. Wickham that Mrs. W. J. Polson could not be present. Mrs. Moore was thanked for her donation of a radio for the rest home, also those who had contributed articles as follows: Mrs. Noel Adams, clock; South Makirikiri, fireside chair; Palmerston North branch (Mesdames Nicholls, Field, Bond, Milland, Croucher, Shannon, D. Buchanan,

Stevens and Miss Mathieson), 10 bedspreads; Tutaenui, deck chairs, large door mat, two teapot stands; Regent Library, books; Kiwitea and Kimbolton, electric jug and iron; Feilding, set of saucepans, small boiler and enamel kettle; Mrs. Jennings, two lounge cushions; Turakina W.D. branch, drawing-room table; Mestmere branch, 21 pillow slips; Wanganui branch, 5A dozen towels; Palmerston North branch, writing table; Mrs. J. A. Haris (Turakina), books, Mrs. Stevens (Marton), wagon covers and runners; Palmerston North, writing desk and chair; South Taranaki Provincial, kitchen utensils; Mrs. Green (Palmerston North), tray, teapot and tray cloth; Waverley, six bath towels. The fine two-storied building, setin a background of spacious grounds and gardens, contains a very wide entrance hall, large drawing and din-ing-rooms, kitchen with range, electric cooker and large cupboards, pantry, storeroom and wash-house on the ground floor. The drawingroom, with its two alcove windows and built-in seats which extend almost the length of two sides of the wall, has a wonderful fireplace of woodwork of such workmanship seldom seen to-day. The deep cream curtains on the casement windows, tone in well with the rose and fawn carpet and the upholstered suites. A similar carpet covers the entrance hall, where a fine stairway leads to the upper floor. The interior of the several large bedrooms are very pleasing and each has a splendid view from the windows. Beautifully finished fireplaces and huge built-in wardrobes of stained woodwork are charming features of each room, the dainty furnishings, curtains and bedspreads being in excellent taste, each room in a different colour scheme, cheerful and restful wallpapers also characterise the bedrooms for the staff, and a combined library and sewing room is also tastefully equipped. The many people who inspected the interior of the house found much to admire in the design and arrangements. Indoors was not large enough to accommodate so large a gathering, so afternoon tea was served on the lawn in the shade of the trees, where large trestle tables had been erected. During the afternoon a presentation of a handsome handbag was made to Mrs. W. F. Field, secretary of the board of management.