WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20743, 1 March 1939, Page 3

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

WREATH FOR FRANCE FROM WOMEN’S INSTITUTES The representative wreath of remembrance from the New Zealand Women’s Institutes will commence the first stage of its long journey to Longueval, France, on Tuesday, when it will be sent to Wellington to be on view at the headquarters of the council of Women’s Institutes. ATTss Brenda Hall, organiser of the forthcoming tour for members of the Women's Institute who are going to London to attend the conference of Associated Countrywomen in June, has written to the Mayor of Longueval, asking him to arrange for a ceremony to be held when this wreath is being laid by representatives of the New Zealand Women’s Institute on the memorial there to New Zealand soldiers. Two of the Shannon Institute members, Mrs J. Aim and Miss Aim, had the honour of making this wreath and another Shannon member, Mrs J. Sandison, designed and printed the card which is attached. The. wreath is 2-4in in diameter and is composed of preserved and everlasting flowers, ferns, native grasses, etc., which were sent in by Women’s Institute members from all over New Zealand. Red, White and Blue The colour scheme Is red, white and blue, which are the colours of both the British Empire and the Tricolour of France. The base is formed of various kinds of fern leaves, rimu and lycopodium, with native grasses Gsed decoratively amongst the flowers. The colours are made up chiefly from the following, with many other varieties of flowers included, in lesser quantities : Red lacquered poppy heads, roses, ornamental Chinese gooseberries, seed pods of copper beech, white roses, statice, honesty, gypsophylla, rhodanthea, blue statice, pansies, lavender and eryngium. Across the centre is a 2£in red satin ribbon with the lettering in gold, “For Home and Country,’’ which is also the Women’s Institute motto. Attached to the wreath is a card Sin by 4in., bordered with a Maori design embodying a kiwi, a Maori meeting house and. in the top centre, the Women’s Institute badge, flanked with fern leaves. The card bears the wording, “From the Women's Institutes of New Zealand, in loving memory of New Zealand Soldiers. We send these flowers from home.” On the reverse side is a translation in French. A large bow of red, white and blue satin ribbons completes a harmonious effect. As well as contributing the flowers 1 to make the wr< ith, : have also sent in small amounts of cash to defray the expenses for comes to a considerable amount. AT SPRINGDALE Members of the Springdale Women’s Institute held their annual picnic recently, when a most enjoyable day was spent at the Okauia Springs. By popular consent an invitation had been extended to members’ husbands and friends. The day was spent in batiling and a delightful community-lunch was served at noon. Arrangements for tlie group meeting to be held a> Springdale on March 1, were finalised.. Warm appreciation was expressed by all non-members who attended for the kind invitation extended them by the Institute, which had resulted in such a plersant outing. AT WHITIORA The AVhitiora Women's Institute held its monthly meeting in Arawa Hall, Rostrevor Street, recently, Mrs Warren presiding. There was a good attendance of members and friends j present. The meeting opened with the singing of the Institute song and the reciting of the Creed, aft£r which the business and correspondence were dealt with. Two new members, Mesdames Forsyth and AVoods, were enrolled and‘welcomed. A collection was taken for the Maori Hostel fund, a substantial sum being raised. Nominations were taken for president and committee. A delicious afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mesdames A. Bennie, J. Rennie, and Cook, bringing a busy and pleasant afternoon to a close.