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4 THE REPORT OF THE , No, 38 The development of VVomen’s Institutes has introduced into public affairs, in which the whole people are directly or indirectly concerned, that spirit of service which characterizes the work of women of responsibility. Institute work may be grouped in two classes: - Firs£~VVhat the Institute members plan and carry out through the utilizaâ€" tion of local talent and resources at their monthly meetings and in organizing, directing and supporting Community effort. Secondiservice to the members of the Institutes through the Department of Agriculture and other branches of the Government. For information On the former we refer our readers to the activities as reported in this volume. The service of the Department of Agriculture embraces the furnishing and distribution of literature of special interest to women (bulletins, leaflets, annual reports such as this), keeping the branches informed as to the activities of the institutes throughout the Dominion, as well as other countries which have followed Canada in organizing; supplying lecturers on subjects of interest to women; and, what is most important from the standpoint of efficient service, providing instructors for demonstration-lecture courses of two weeks each in Food Values and Cookery; Home Nursing and First Aid; Sewing; and Millinery. This service has developed to large proportions and is very much appreciated by the Institutes in general, especially in localities where opportunities for instruction beyond that obtainable in public schools do not exist or are very limited. The number of courSES and attendance during the past year is given below :â€" Number of Number in Courses Classes Food values and cookery. . 70 2,709 Home nursing and first aid 88 2,932 Stwing and niillinery ..... 77 1,472 Miscellaneous. . . 5 235 240 7,348 Lecturers were provided for meetings held at 655 places during the summer series of 1923. Assistance was also given at conventions, district meetings and a number of special meetings. The attendance record for the year was: Demonstration-lecture courses ................ 73,500 Convtntions .................... 7,550 Sunimrr st rits and district annuals. . 22,020 Monthly meetings of branches ............... > ............... 183,594 293,664 Total attendance ................ Brief notes on the annual conventions: NORTH BAY. 1. In Northern Ontario the outstanding feature was the quick and practical response to the needs of the fire sufferers and to the communities in the area of the recent typhoid epidemic. A great many Institutes in this section have taken Care of needy families, especially providing clothing, sometimes With the help of Institutes in Southern Ontario. Even with the relief problem heavy on their hands, these women found time to discuss local problems of medical care, water supply, school improvement, community halls and travelling libraries. la..-» 4V...‘k__. _. ._,..