Country Life Interests

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20266, 7 August 1937, Page 19 (Supplement)

Country Life Interests

A page devoted to the interest* of the Country Women of the Waikato, and In particular to advancing and recording the activities of those two great national organisations, the Women’s Institutes and the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union.

COUNTRYWOMENS CONFERENCES. THE PARIS INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

In the Northern hemisphere June and July appear to be the accepted months for International conferences, says the June Countrywoman. As far as countrywomen are concerned the most Important event Is the forthcoming Annual Meeting of the Executive Committee of our own A.C.W.W., when we are hoping for a large attendance for the interesting programme that has been planned. Later in the month comes the Conference of the International Commission of Agriculture at the Hague, at which we are going to be represented toy a delegation headed by Lady Howard, the chairman of our Study and Investigation Committee and for a number of years head of the Agricultural Section of the International Labour Office. Lady Howard will take with her reports that have been sent by our member organisations regarding the midwifery services In rural districts and she hopes to have an opportunity to amplify the summarised report, which Is being printed In the Conference proceedings. The big international exhibition In Paris Is attracting visitors from all parts of the globe. The French women are taking advantage of this to arrange a number of conference® and we have especially been asked to make known the invitation that has reached us to toe represented at a Conference on Women’s Activities that is being arranged by the National Council of Women of France from June 27 to 30. One session is toeing devoted to women in Agriculture and Lady Tiphaine Lucas, one of our Vice-Presidents, is taking an active part in the organisation and will be particularly pleased to welcome any A.C.W.W. members, who feel able to be in Paris at that time. Another Conference of interest to countrywomen is the fourth Pan-Paclflo Women’s Conference, which will be held in Vancouver from July 12 to 24. Mrs Burden, who while she was in London represented the British Columbia Women’s Institutes on our Executive Committee, will represent the A.C.W.W. at this Conference and will bring greetings from organised countrywomen from all over the world to women living In countries bordering on the Pacific Ocean. The headquarters of the Pan-Pacific Women’s Association are at Honolulu.

tries who have advised us that they will be present.” The Division’s representative at the Executive was Mrs Helen Harris, who writes under date May 5: —“On Saturday I set out for London in time for the Coronation. On the evening of that day I am to address my first meeting—W.l. at Hatch End, London. I shall be at the annual meeting of the A.C.W.W. In June, and I have just written to Miss White, general secretary, ‘ to say I shall be able to attend the conference at Hague. There are three delegates from the A.C.W.W. going, and I hope to travel with them. The whole thing will cost me £5 7s 6d, and is quite worth it, I think. There are also invitations to stay a few days in Holland after the conference, of which I shall take advantage. I have an invitation to a women’s horticultural and agricultural training centre close to London, and I am also going to visit the agricultural centres outside Edinburgh and Glasgow. Add to this at least one visit to the Pig Marketing Association’s man in Tooley Street and a call on Sir Thomas Clemence.” Mrs Hartley-llall, of Te Rore, also attended the Hague Conference. Housekeeping Work. During the year various organisations abroad have enquired for particulars of the housekeeping work. The latest enquiry has come from the Canadian Red Cross Society, Ontario Division, who have established home nursing courses, nutrition courses, and visiting housekeepers’ service. The women engaged in this latter section “are given intense training designed to lit them in the best possible manner for the duties they have to undertake —that is in collaboration with the University of Toronto.” OHAUPO BRANCH. There was a fair attendance at the July meeting of the Ohaupo branch of the Women’s Division, which opened with the creed. After the business session, members enjoyed an instructive and interesting talk on gardening, given by Mrs Warner. The monthly competition for the Ihree best blooms was won by Mrs L\ Edwards. With a dainty set of twins, Mesdames Forsyth and Somerville gained first prize for the bestdressed doll, and the pikelet competition was won by Mrs Seymour, who gained the highest points in an amusing written competition run by Mrs Cateley. Members are keen for the success of the coming flower show to he run In conjunction with the Women’s Institute, and preparations are well in hand. NOTES FROM HEADQUARTERS. Mrs C. 'K. Wilson has asked that this means be taken of acknowledg-

WOMEN’S DIVISION.

ASSOCIATED COUNTRYWOMEN. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING. Following is an extract from the May issue of the A.C.W.W. Journal: “Next week brings the annual meeting of the Executive Committee of the Associated Countrywomen of the World. 'On June 8, 9 and 10 we meet at the Friends’ House, Euston Road, London, where we shall have reports of the general work of the A.C.W.W. during the past year, interesting addresses by our own members and visitors from different countries, and several formal and informal luncheons and parlies which will give us the opportunity of meeting again our members from other coun-

y Ing any messages of congratulation in connection with the Coronation honb our conferred on her, that might have d been overlooked. Mrs Wilson has - had overwhelming mails and has enb deavoured to reply personally to each l writer, but If anybody has been t missed, will they please accept this - acknowledgement and assurance that - their message has been very much i appreciated. ° PAN PACIFIC CONFERENCE. 9 1 1 Members will be pleased to know i that the Division was represented at s the Pan Pacific Conference held at r Vancouver in July. Bookings which 3 had been made to return to the Do--3 minion via Suez had been transferred - (at very considerable personal ex- , pense) and Miss Moyna Barrer, who - had been abroad for the last two i years, travelled via New York and t across to Vancouver, where credentials awaited her to allow her to act i as official delegate from the Women’s Division at the conference. Miss > Barrer’s toplo was “Youth Movements for Peace.” WAIHOU BRANCH. j The members of the Waihou branch , of the Women’s Division held a very successful gathering at the hall re- ’ oently in celebration of their seventh * birthday anniversary. Visitors were ? present from Te Aroha, Ngarua, Te ? Aroha West, Elstow, Waitoa and " Manawaru. * The stage was beautifully decorated 1 with spring flowers and streamers, while on a lavishly ornamented table stood the large birthday cake, surrounded with the appropriate number of candles. Supper was served by a capable committee consisting of Mesa dames A. H. Lennard, H. K. Lardman, ' F. Martin, H. Worrall, R. Cornes, J. J D. Mackay, J. M. Hair and H. Priest. The president, Mrs Lennard, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, and dancing was enjoyed to musio - played by Miss J. Lardman, Messrs P. f Steiner and A. Donovan. Competition^ were won by Miss P. Hair and Mr 3 Punch. s Concert items were much appreclf a ted, the contributors being Misses P. . Lennard, G. Ziegler, A. Waddell, E. . Dixon and P. Hair, Mesdames Hair . Rowbotham and Eastwood, and Messrs j A - Stewart, J. Russell and D. Waddell. KARAKARIKI BRANCH. i The Karakarikl branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ l Union held a very successful social on July 30. The music for the dance was played i by Mrs Hastie, Mrs Sharp and Mr Gardener, and novelty dances were i won by Mr and Mrs Cate and Mrs Thompson and Mr Cate. Songs were given by Mrs Gilder, Miss Olwyn Buckley, Miss Edie Bartels and Mr Gardener, elocution by Mrs G. Buckley and Francis Magner Community singing was also enjoyed. Mrs W. Rowe was M.C. Supper was served by the members. Mrs Magner thanked all who had helped with the social, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne’’ brought a most enjoyable evening to a close. HAMILTON BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Women’s Division will be held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Tuesday, when the president’s report on tlie conference will be read, and a dressmaking demonstration given.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

AT OTOROHANQA. The Otorohanga Women's Institute held their July meeting in the Friendly Societies’ Hall recently, when there was a good attendance of members presided over by the president, Mrs A. A. Smith. Mrs Bidwell, the voluntary organiser, attended and spoke on the drama circle, afterwards giving a demonstration of glove-making. The competition for the month was won by Mrs Rae, Mrs Hartnoll being runner-up. A short playlet, “The Institute Husband,” by Mesdames Scown and Parker, created considerable amusement. The Golden Thread was carried, on by Mrs Oliver. Several new members were enrolled and welcomed by the president. An amusing competition was won by Mrs McDonnell’. The singing of the National Anthem closed the meeting. AT NAWTON-ROTOKAURI. The Nawton-Rotokaurl Women’s Institute’s August meeting was well attended and three new members were welcomed by tlie president. Final arrangements were made for the birthday party to be held on August 18. The date of the next group meeting to be held in Nawton Hall was fixed for October 14, and it was decided to hold a social afternoon on September 23 In aid of the Sunshine League. About a dozen members volunteered to visit the Old Men’s Home at the Waikato Hospital on August 31, taking with them a concert party and providing the inmates with afternoon tea. During the afternoon Mrs Hales gave a very able and Interesting address on Joan of Arc, this being the first of a series of talks on famous women. Two very Interesting letters, accompanied by picture postcards of the village, were received from Biddenden, the overseas link. The monthly competitions resulted as Tollows: Single bloom, Mrs Hales 1, Mrs Mangnall 2; a piece of mended china, Mrs Hewitt 1, Mrs Fisher 2. Many useful hints were gained from the roll-call, “How to clean windows.” The hostesses served afternoon tea, after which there was community singing, concluding with the National Anthem.