WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20920, 27 September 1939, Page 4

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

HANDCRAFTS EXHIBITED INSTITUTE MEMBERS’ WORK An interesting exhibition was held at the Winter Show Hall yesterday by the Waikato Federation of Women’s Institutes, when articles from Institutes in the federation, selected for inclusion in the section devoted to women’s interests in the Centennial Exhibition, were displayed before their dispatch to Wellington. Among the many clever examples of the fertile brains and active and dexterous fingers of the members were rugs fashioned from dyed sugar bags, from old felt hats and from rags, all of which showed expert craftsmanship and completely denied their origin. Two ingenious articles were a wood-box made from the copper cards given with a certain brand of cigarettes and a tray composed entirely of used matches, while in another section the skirts of an old fashioned lady, on close inspection, proved to be tiny shells. Hand-made Toys There was a marvellous menagerie of hand-made animals, ranging from an enormous elephant to little white rabbits. Exceptionally lifelike kangaroos, owls, poodle dogs, teddy bears, horses, and lizards sat side-by-side with dainty baby dolls and a realistic Maori maiden.

A very attractive exhibit was a large piece of tapestry depicting the cottage and garden of Anne Hathaway and many excellent pokerwork articles were on view, a fire screen being of special note. Some very fine knitting was on display and various embroidered articles testified to hours of painstaking work by their ov/ners while numerous small articles such as a posy made from fish scales, a cellophane fancy headband, a pinecone owl, and many more, too numerous to mention, illustrated the dominating idea behind this creative work —the beautifying of the home. AT FAIRFIELD There was a good attendance at , the September meeting of the Fairfield Women’s Institute al which Mrs I Davy, the president, px'esided. Two j invitations were received to birth - I day parties, one from Melville and I the other from Whitiora. It was de- ; cided to take a part in the procession of decorated floats with period costuming at the coming show. Several members expressed their willingness to knit for the Campbell-John-stone Ward. Mrs Scobie gave a talk and demonstration on first-aid bandaging which was thoroughly appreciated. Miss Hills, from Te Pahu, gave an interesting talk on life in Rhodesia. The competition for four pieces of shortbread was won by Mrs Snell, the article from old felt hats being won by Mrs King. Afternoon tea brought a pleasant afternoon to a close. AT TE AROHA There was a large attendance at the monthly meeting of the Te Aroha Women’s Institute, over which Mrs Sharkey presided. Four new members were welcomed by the president. Arrangements were made for a tulip garden party to be held at Mrs F. Martin’s home in October. Mrs Robinson was nominated as secretary in place of Mrs Espiner, who has left Te Aroha for a brief period. Competitions resulted as follows: Flowers, Mrs Deverell 1, Mrs Stockley 2; scones, Mrs Deverell 1, Mrs | Kelliher 2, Mrs Farmer 3; child’s frock, worth 2s, Mrs Curtis 1. The hostesses for the occasion were Mesdames Espiner and Robinson. It was decided that the October meeting should take the form of a “bring and buy.” Te Aroiia-Waihou Gardening Circle A meeting of the Te Aroha-Wai-hou Gardening Circle was held at the residence of Mrs H. Daines, Waihou, Mrs G. Johnson presiding. It was decided to carry on and to make enquiries as to the best type of work to undertake to assist the Red Cross Society. Mrs Readhead efficiently demonstrated wreathmaking.