WOMEN’S CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 47, 25 February 1939, Page 2

WOMEN’S CLUB

RECEPTION AND WELCOME TO MRS. T. H. LOWRY. Decorated with bowls of hydrangeas, dahlias in deep red and violet shades, and other beautiful flowers in pink colourings, the large room at the Wanganui Women’s Club presented an attractive appearance yesterday morning, when a reception was given for Mrs. T. H. Lowry, 0.8. E., president of the Hastings Women's Club, and Dominion president of the New Zealand Red Cross Society. Mrs. T. Blennerhassett (president), extended a warm welcome to the guest and presented her with a bouquet.

Mrs. Lowry told the club members something about the Red Cross conference held last year in London, to which she and Lady Wigram were the New Zealand delegates. She described it as “the most wonderful ever held.” She said that about 63 countries belonged to the Red Cross, and that there were 20 million children in the Junior Red Cross in the world. Mention was made of the organisations that belonged to the Red Cross, including the W.D.F.U. and W.I.S. She said she would like all members of clubs to belong too. The Red Cross Society was now working with the Health Department and the Education Department. Mrs. Lowry, speaking of the present times, said that golf and bridge is all very well, but there is work to do in the world, and urged club members to join the Red Cross and V.A.D. She mentioned the great need of girls learning nursing for a short time each week so that they could qualify as V.A.D’s. All children should be trained in first aid. If there was a war to-morrow all would belong, but it was necessary for people to learn and be trained to be of help when needed.

Mrs. Lowry praised the work of the W.D.F.U., especially the aim of the Rest Home for tired mothers. It was a very necessary work and work well worth while. Reference was made to the Pan-Pacific conference to be held in New Zealand and of the famous people who would be attending. She hoped as many club members as possibel would attend. Mrs. Lowry also spoke of the life of women's clubs and their activities and the various circles, specially mentioning the work of the garden circles. She thought the circles could do something about planting trees to beautify the countryside and went on to tell her hearers something about the miles of beautiful trees she had motored through in California. One mile would consist of a row of magnolia trees, and so on for many miles, all planted by people who appreciated beauty. In Japan there were rows of marvellous memorial trees. She mentioned the beautiful red gum trees in Wanganui and suggested that something more in this way could be done in many places. It would be a fitting way of celebrating the centenary. The ways of cultivating orange trees in California was spoken of. “We take things too easily, we grumble if things do not go well and we do not bother like the Californian, who irrigates and cares for the trees and uses smoke pots to keep away the frost” said the speaker. “There is no reason why oranges could not be cultivated in New Zealand” she said, and went on to tell her hearers of what the Californians had done with their sandy wastes of country, which, from poor beginnings are now wonderful areas of orange trees and nut trees. One had to admire these people for what they had accomplished. Mrs. Lowry described some of the wonderIful and famous gardens she had seen. She was sure these kind o£ things could be done in New Zealand, and ■the club women could help. “Let us have these miles of lovely trees. The men folk only think of pines and we see enough of these,” she said, and urged all to help in this matter. Mrs. Lowry handed round pictures and photographs of the places of interest visited.

At the conclusion of her address the speaker was thanked by Mrs. Blennerhassett. who said that many would take to heart what Mrs. Lowry had said. The president took the opportunity to say ‘bon voyage” to Mrs. A. H. Boyes, and wished her a pleasant trip and sojourn abroad. A dainty morning tea was served. ; Those present included: Mesdames i H. V. Hammond. D. Mackintosh. C. F. [Pierce (England), A. H. Boyes, Ivo jSymes, W. Birch. Davies, R. Orton, T. I Graham, P. H. Hartland, E. Forlong, ■R. Neumann. A. Walker, W. Cook, H. iH. Christie, J. C. Smith, F. P. Taiboys. |H. D. Bates, W. Craig, W. J, Gardner, [F. W. Gilligan, W. Dunkley, F. E. Everett, J. G. Denniston, R. Sommer-

ville (Okoia), A. Hunter, W. Peat, P. Paul, Perrett, Trlggs, C. Hammond, R. Palmer, J. Wilson (New Plymouth), A. O. Russell, Miss Woon, Miss Hatrick, Miss Ruby Gillies (Palmerston North).