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Friday 10 May 2024
WI branch going strong at 90
Uruwhenua Country Women's Institute members, from left, Janice Win, Pam Delany, Trixie Riordan, Diane Connolly, Elva Harwood, Judy Petterson, Jeanette Papps, Nancy Ward. Photo: Supplied. ANITA PETERS
On Monday this week, Uruwhenua Country Women’s Institute (CWI) members gathered at the historic Motupipi Hall to celebrate the 90th birthday of this highly esteemed organisation and retrace some of its colourful history and good works. A history that spans 90 years of tragedy and joy. Already established since 1921 elsewhere in New Zealand, CWI was finally introduced to Golden Bay in 1934. The organisation aimed to provide country women with support and education, encouraging home crafts and cultural work such as music, drama, and arts and crafts. Women began actively participating in rural events like A&P Shows, community and goodwill services, and learning about local body and global politics. In 1929, the Murchison earthquake preceded a decade of worldwide depression ending with war. Huge political, social, and economic change brought unemployment and hardship. Correspondingly, however, there were also positive changes: improved transport services, bridges, and roads; electricity; the
Transport Licensing Act; the first Dairy Board; Wattie’s Canneries; NZ Forest Products; milk in schools; state housing; and a social security tax. Locally, surviving industries included the paint works, the tramway, steamer services, and the iron works. Initially, Golden Bay’s CWI focused on building cottage hospitals, but they soon included other community schemes such as fundraising for a Tākaka restroom. By 1936, the Depression had inspired more social initiatives, including mystery parcels; a drama festival and spring flower show; concerts; square dancing; and competitions to make “something new from something old”. During the 1940s, minutes of meetings reflected the tragedy of local men wounded, imprisoned, or killed at war. Women “coped”, while institute members also contributed to the war effort themselves by sending parcels overseas and fundraising for survival kits and the Red Cross. Petrol shortages and rationing made running farms and families difficult for women, until rehabilitation schemes after the war offered farm assistance. Electricity became more available, particularly after 1944, when
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Tasman District ratepayers, already looking at a 9.6 per cent increase in their rates bill for the coming year, may have to swallow an additional hike which could see that figure climb to nearly 13 percent. In a statement released last Sunday evening, Tasman District Council’s chief financial officer (CFO) Mike Drummond advised that new information may affect decision-making within the Council's 2024-2034 Long Term Plan, and ratepayers should be aware of the development. "We are advising ratepayers, and especially those who have made submissions on its Long-Term Plan/Tasman’s 10-Year Plan, that due to circumstances largely outside of its control the proposed rates revenue increase of 9.6 per cent may increase by between two and three per cent." With the public consultation closed, and three LTP hearings scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week – in Richmond, Tākaka and Motueka respectively – TDC’s last-minute announcement gave those who registered to speak to their submissions very little time to amend their feedback. Mike attempted to place the unwelcome news in context, as he explained the timing of the update. "While still below the national average of proposed rate revenue increases, we considered it was important to inform residents as soon as we were made aware of the increased cost pressures and the possible impact on rates.” According to TDC, the most significant items are: • Increased costs of funding water services maintenance ($385,000) • Increased costs associated with the Waimea Community Dam ($500,000) • Downturn in forecasted revenue from building consent activity ($1.1million) • Increased insurance costs ($350,000) • A materially higher 2023/24 year end deficit particularly in building control and transport spending, due to storm costs (no figure provided). A key question is why the divergence came to light so late in the LTP process. Responding to an inquiry from The GB Weekly on Tuesday, TDC communications officer Tim O’Connell stated: “Budgets for most areas were set in October 2023. Some of the information only became available or was confirmed after the Consultation Document was set in March this year – such as the scale of downturn regarding the building regulatory area and the additional costs for the Waimea Community Dam. “The increase in funding water service... Continued on page 3
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the Cobb Scheme started supplying power. CWI members, supported by each other, held “welcome home socials” for returning soldiers, and further afield supported war orphans and refugees. 1950s meetings were more positive but not without patriotism for “King and Country”, complete with the national anthem. At Monday’s celebration, Elva Harwood, Uruwhenua member for over 50 years, and Kay Hart, member for 60 years and past national president, reminisced with amusing anecdotes. Kay explained the formalities of those earlier meetings including aspirations and sympathies, then a theme for the day and a motto were introduced. One such theme was about “embarrassing moments”, which for one woman involved her rush to the toilet, backing hurriedly into the long drop to deposit herself straight onto a man’s lap. Executive meetings over the Hill were so well organised that they would have washing on the line, lunches sorted, and tea already cooked by the time they left with... Continued on page 5
Further rates hike likely
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