Country Life Interests

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20492, 7 May 1938, Page 18 (Supplement)

Country Life Interests

A page devoted to the interests of the Country Women of the Waikato, and 1n particular to advancing and reoordlng the activities of those two great national organisations, the Women’s Institutes and the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union.

COUNTRY WOMEN IN CANADA OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES The Country Women of Rainy River, Thunder Bay, Kenora and Keewakin held their annual meeting this year by the lovely Lake of the Woo-ls. K < LUtftfUl places In Ontario. In this article. In the • number, Mrs E. McCoombe, tells us something of their community life. The combined art River, Thunder Bay and Kenora^ recently st nt representatives t > the Women's institute Convention at Kenora and Kees ikfn. Th< se towns are located on the Lake of the Woods, which touches Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota, ILSJL At the top end of the lake, about eighty miles from Kenora, Ralnj River empties into the und Port William and Port Arthur, twin citios on Lake. Superior, the first-narned being 327 miles from Kenora, and that district extends to Schrieber, another 140 miles. This will give you some Idea of tiie distances the delegates had to travel. The sessions covered two days. Reports were given on education, health, and child welfare, home economics and agriculture, legislation, mmunity activities and relief, peace, and Canadianisation. In this combined area, covering hundreds of miles of sparsely populated country, we have a verj f gn population. Several years ago, when President of Kenora district, I was invited to go to a small place ea . I*o miles east of Kenora. It is Just a settlement with no sidewalks or streets. But since It Is located on the Canadian pacific R i picking up place for logs, timber, fish, fur, and other ni*i:Un Inm a. There Is a tiny general store and post office combine i. fn that type of place a rowdy element usually creeps In, and social affairs are not always desirable, so five members of the Women’s Institute decided they would build a Community Hall, and tluis control the character of the meetings. With the help of some of the men they made out a list covering tbs material and labour required for their building. This they posted up In the local store, with a notice asking for donations. Two or three men donated so many logs, another man with a saw mill offered to square the timber and cut the required amount of lumber. Others offered nails, building paper, windows, days of labour, horses, etcetera, until everything was covered. I was invited to go for the opening supper, concert and dance; and at the finish in the Serly hours of the morning' it was entirely paid for. About fifty people were present and I counted nine nationalities. I’ve always considered that a wonderful achievement. During the convention an entertainment was put on by the successful competitors in our local Musical Competition Festival whlc-h was very much enjoyed by the visitors. Our Musical Festival is the only one run entirely by women in Western Canada, and ft Is self-supporting. All the winter we worked to raise funds to start a Festival, which we held In the spring. One Institute In a town of 1800 raised the money to transport sixty pupils and their teachers a distance of 80 miles (two trains only a day) to compete, and they took home the shield. In our town there was only one piano In the schools. We arranged for some of the competitors to go to the home of a private citizen, others went to the basement of the Public Library where the Women’s Institute hxve a piano, and by various methods we had several classes ready when the day came. The Adjudicator, when facing our group, said: “What have we here?” We had Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Southern Europeans, and those of our own blood, all sinking together. At one of the Indian Residential Schools there is an outstanding Indian band, of both boys and girl*. They usually carry off the highest marks. To-day there Is a piano In every school, so as a Women’s Institute we are very proud and happy that our venture has proven Itself of such educational value to the community.

ELBTOW SENIOR BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING HELD There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of the Elstow senior branch of the Women’s Division. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Miss E. Strange; vice-presid-ents, Mesdames Johnson and Stembridge; honorary secretary and treasurer, Miss F. Blackford; housekeeping auxiliary members, Mesdames May «'ind G- W. Wagstaff; provincial delegates, Mesdames Stembridge and A. T. Nicol; committee, Mesdames Allen, S. Campbell. Blackford, Alley, E. Nicol and A. T. Nicol; trustees, Mrs W. Burt and Miss P. Blackford; sales table, Mrs Cox aiul Miss Cartwright; competition table. Mesdames Dugdale and J. Nicol; librarians, Mesdames Stembridge anti Alley; reporter, Mrs W. Burt; auditor, Mr N. 11. Hume. Mrs May secured first prize for most points in the year’s competitions, with Miss Blackford second. In the competition of the afternoon, a jar of flowers, Miss E. Strange was first and Miss P. Blackford secondThe competition for the garment, ‘ something new from something old,” was won by Mrs May. The hostesses were Mesdames Allen, Blackford and Johnson.

TE MATA BRANCH The annual meeting .of the Te Mata branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the local hall recently, when there was a fair attendance of members. The meeting opened with the Creed. The balance-sheet, which was adopted, showed the branch to be in a healthy financial state. The president read the annual report. which was satisfactory. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows:—President. Miss McCracken; secretary. Miss Brown; vice-presidents, Mrs J. H. Phillips and Mrs J. Boberts: entertainment committee, Mesdames E- A. Jerome, Stephenson, N. H. Watkins, R. T. Vernon and J. P. Porter; executive committee, the president, secretary, vicepresidents and Mrs W. Thomson; delegate to S.A.P.C. meetings, Mrs J. Roberts. The secretary read correspondence from the Workers' Educational Association, but the matter was left in abeyance. Mrs C. K. Wilson’s address in the

last Progress report was read by the president. Some of the more important parts In the Progress reports were | takeH for discussion. As a fair num- [ her of applications for housekeepers i had been received during the year, a I good deal of discussion ensued, and suggestions which might prove helpful to employer and housekeeper were put forwardMembers were also asked to bring some written notes on pioneering mothers in the early days in Te Mala to the next meeting, for the Women's Division book on pioneer women. An interesting competition, provided by Mrs E. Jerome, was tied for by Mrs N. H. Watkins and Miss Brown. Mrs Watkins presented Miss Brown with the prize. Mrs Watkins was the winner of the season’s prize for the year. Hostesses for the afternoon were Mrs J. 11. Phillips and Miss Brown. TE AROHA—WAIHOU BRANCH Mrs A. H. Lennard presided at the April meeting of the Te Aroha-Wai-hou branch of the Women’s Division. A communication was received intimating that Miss Elsie * Andrews would be speaking in Te Aroha on July 17 on pan-Paciflo affairs. Mrs Willis submitted a statement of accounts dealing with the “wharehui” recently held, which resulted in a very satisfactory credit balance. The annual meeting followed. After the report had been read, bouquets made by Mrs F. Martin were presented to the president, Mrs Lennard, the secretary, Mrs R. Eastwood, and the assistant-secretary, Mrs H. Rowbotham. The winners of the points prizes for the year were Mesdames A. Lennard and J. D. Mackay 1, Mrs Hair 2, Mrs Stewart 3. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mrs Lennard; vice-presidents, Mesdames Hunt and F. Martin; secretary, Mrs R- Eastwood; assistant secretary, Mrs Willis; treasurer, Mrs J. D. Mackay; committee, Mes'dames Daines, Hayes, Ilarvev, Plane and Worrall; housekeeping secretary, Mrs Hair; delegates to provincial council, Mesdames Eastwood and Mackay; social hostesses, Mesdames Landman and Rowbotham; librarian, Mrs Espiner; competition steward, Mrs Voysey; afternoon tea hostess, Mrs E. W. Martin; sales table, Alesdames L. Eastwood and F. Martin; reporter, Mrs L. Eastwood. The president awarded to Mrs Murphy a small gift for the member who had attended most meetings in the year.

The hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames L. Eastwood, Willis and Bertelsen.

AT WAHAROA Though Ihe day was marred by inclement wealher, Ihe May meeting of tiie Waharoa branch of the Women’s Institule was fairly well attended, Mrs Peich being in the chair. Thanks were accorded those who had helped to make the husbands’ evening a success, and inter in the afternoon another performance of “Aunt Maria's Wireless” was presented. Mrs Burns described in detail how she made her pikelets which gained a prize at the last meeting, and Mrs J. Barker gave an interesting demonstration on how to make a fairy tree. The roll-call was a part of the Golden Thread programme, that of famous men, and took the form of Impersonations, which produced some clever and amusing itemsEnirics in tlie best flower competition were: Mrs and Miss Dunlop, Mrs Williams, Mrs Leigh, Mrs Petch and Mrs Jagger, each winning a point. Other competitions resulted: —Best embroidered d’oyley, Mrs M. Johnston 1, Miss Dunlop 2, Mrs Tordoff 3; date loaf, Mrs Cresswell 1, Mrs Gunn 2, Mrs P. White 3; best laundered man’s soft collar, Mrs Leigh 1, Mrs Marshall 2, Mrs Thomson 3. Hostesses for the afternoon were: Mesdames Denly, Calladine, McHardie, Townes, and A. Clark. AT TAUPIRI The April meeting of the Taupirl branch of the Women’s Institute, held in the Taupiri Hall, proved very successful. Seventy members and friends were presided over by Mrs A. Smith, who asked those present to stand as a mark of respect to Mrs C. Taylor on the death of her husband. The National Anthem and the Institute song were sung and the Creed repeated. Members taking part in the yearly points competition, a vase of flowers, had brought a beautiful variety of flowers, making an attractive display on the stage. The successful entrants. those with the greatest number of points gained, were: Seniors, Mrs A. Smith and Mrs F. J. Farrell (equal) ; juniors, Mrs R. H. Fransham. The president offered to donate a prize of 25s worth of flower plants or a trophy for first prize and 10s for second prize, for the flower competition for next year- The following Judges were elected for the competition: Mesdames S. A. Clarke, C. Williams, F. R. Catley and W. Moore. Discussion on the forthcoming Waikato Winter Show ensued, and several arrangements were made. The Rev. A. Fotheringham, of Ngaruawahia, entertained with an interesting and instructive talk on social and domestic life In India from the white man’s viewpoint. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The Institute has decided to make a banner, and a design drafted by members was heartily approved. Mrs Dougherty undertook to complete the working of the design, for which she was accnrrirrl a vote of thanks. Miss M. Walter tendered her reslgnatlon from the office of secretary and Mrs Fransham was elected to the position fnr the. remainder of the year. Mrs T. B. McDowall was elected magazine agent.

The afternoon was brought to a close when the hostesses served afternoon leaAT RAGLAN The monthly meeting of the Raglan branch of the Women's Institute was held in tlio supper-room recently, Miss Gilmour presiding. A considerable amount of business covered the matters of Dominion conference. the birthday party, and the Women’s Institute concert. Mrs Orr presented her report as delegate to the Waikato Federation council meeting. A piano solo by Miss A. Guildford was much appreciated. A competition, sewing an animal on paper, was won by Miss A- Guildford with Mrs Grayling second and 'Miss Molly Guildford third. Afternoon tea brought the meeting to a close. AT NAWTON—FJOTOKAURI Tiie Nawton-Rotokauri branch of the Women's Institute held its meet- *■*“’’ Navvlon Hall on Wednesday.

Owing to the weather, only a few members attended. The president, Mrs Rollinson, presided. The meeting opened with the singing of the Institute song, after which correspondence was dealt with. Mrs Harris presented an excellent report of the annual conference of the Waikato Federation of Women's Institutes held in Hamilton, for which she was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Members have promised to give articles for the Y.W.C.A. stall at the show in June. The group meeting is to be held at Whatawhata on May 12. The winners of the competitions were:—Sausage rolls, Mrs Curtis i, Mrs M. Terry 2; something for the bathroom, Mrs Tombs 1, Miss Tinsley and Mrs M. Terry (equal) 2. Mrs Harris has promised to answer the Home link letter. A committee meeting will be held in the hall on May 25. After the serving of afternoon tea, the afternoon concluded wif/i a musical game and the singing of the National Anthem-

AT MATANGI The monthly meeting of the Matangi branch of the Women’s Institute was held in the hall recently. Mrs McKerrow presided over a large attendance, and one new member was welcomed. The roll call, “The best way to raise money to send a delegate to conference,” brought forth many suggestions. Mrs McKerrow congratulated Mrs Trownson on again being elected to the executive. Miss R. Otto gave a talk and showed interesting souvenirs and snapshots of her recent trip to Scotland. She was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Good business was done at the trading table in the hands of Mrs Hogan. The competitions for the day were: A decorated vase of flowers, which was won by Miss Lucy Ringer, with Mrs Whewell second; and a jar of pickles, which was won by Mrs T. Shaw. Afternoon tea was served, the hostesses being Mesdames A. Jamieson and R. Wright.