Country Life Interests

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20510, 28 May 1938, Page 21 (Supplement)

Country Life Interests

A page devo*" - ! to the Interests of the Country Women of the Wallato, and 1n particular to advancing and recording the activities of those two great national organisations, the Women’s Institutes en<. the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. ’ I*-- ■■ ■ * 1

THE BEAUTY OF CRAFTS EXHIBITION IN WELLINGTON ARTISTRY AND INGENUITY With the preparations for the Women’s Institute Courts to be ex- • I Winter Show nearly completed, the following •Mount in the New Zealand Dairyman of a crafts exhibition, held in Wellington by branches In the two Federations of Institutes converging on Wellington— "outh Wellington and Hutt Valley, is of interest: Everybody in New Zealand has, of course, heard about Women's iny have, at some time or other, seen a few of them. Ab nt seven years such a display was staged in Wellington for time small collections have been on show at Dominion Council meetings, but it was felt that the time had now come when the fl ' ould have an opportunity to see what the country women can do, and so, last month saw one of the largest handcrafts exhibitions ever staged in New Zealand on view in Wellington. Tne venture appealed to Mfs Peter Fraser, wife of the Hon. the Minister of Education. Not only did she attend to declare the show open, but paid further visits on the ensuing days. The Provincial President of the Women s Division of the Farmers’ Union, the Mayoress of Wellington, and many other prominent people were Interested and constant visitors, for they declared that it was impossible to see everything In one visit ! The exhibits were arranged in “Courts" each Bft. by 4ft., with sides and back of sheeting 4 feet high. The judges, Mesdames Barnicoat and W. G. Short, of FeUding, were lavish in their praise of the variety of crafts, and the excellence of workmanship as well as the artistic arrangement. Women’s Institute won the prize for the best courts, with Tawa Flat second and Manakau third—Belmont was only one point be- • hind Manakau and most of the other entries were separated only by one or two points, so high was the general standard of excellence. The courts were ranged round the walls of the hall. All the wellknown < ere, of course, and many new ideas, too. The quality of the needlework, both plain and fancy, was outstanding, Carllekmaei— lace an i crochet in moot elaborate patterns excited great admiration Bookbinding, skin-curing, hats made from rushes, and all kinds of rllianf ideas in thrift goods and the use of natural products were lo be seen on every hand. A delightful statuette, beautifully modelled, was a centre of attracge - silicon in full sail. Not a detail was over--ind the whole thing was made from varnished papier mache. I ind tinted made delightful mosaic decoration, WAteeoota leaves appeared as dainty and yet firm baskets, but the pottery, painted and glazed In quite a professional manner and made from local clay was really a fine exhibit. Wedding Luncheons and Bhop Windows If anyone told you you could supply a wedding luncheon, complete with wine and cake for is per head, would you believe it? But it can be done —Belmont showed that it could. The judges, too, were doubtful at first, but they worked it out and had to admit that it was so. The five tables exhibited had crowds round as long as they stood there. Each was • : ‘ nt, but each had a dainty complete meal of at least four co mi oal i maximum cost of Is per head. The wine on the wedding table was elderberry it’s true, but the sight of it all made every one feel hungry. The shop windows were a great feature. Jams, pickles, sauces, soap, honey and preserved fruits and vegetables—again some original methods of doing this excited much Interest. Chocolates and sweets l poked tempting and so did the “beauty” products, face powder and creams, skin lotion and such. There is no doubt it was a beautiful sight, the colour and the work could not help but make it so. but the outstanding feature of It all, and one which was sufficiently evident to excite comment from visitors, was tbe iir of happineso and helpfulness that prevailed throughout. Everybody seemed out to help everyone else —and when you get that spirit abroad difficulties melt away and success is assured.