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THE sro * C“ -THE BEGINNING or BELLEVIILE AREA CONVENTION (First Annual Convention was held on October 26 and 27, 1926) For the following report of the first Belleville Area Convention we are indebted to the first minute book and to Mrs. Rosebush of River'Valley Branch for many detailS. mrs. K. Faul, R. R. 2, Belleville Area Chairman, 1949~5o ~ 1950-51 A suggestion to hold a'Women's Institute Convention in Belleville in the autumn of 1926, composed of the Counties of Hastings, Prince Edward and Northumberland, was ‘ sent to Mr. Putnam, Superintendent of Ontario Women's Institutes, and to the District Annuals of these Counties ingJune, 1926. A.consensus of epinion being in favour of this Convention, a meeting of thirty~ five representative'Women's Institute women was held in the City Hall, Belleville on September 10, when a programme was drafted for a convention to be held in the City Hall on October 26 and 27. ‘The following convention committee was appointed: Chairman â€" 'Mrs. M. B. Weese, Rednersville Mrs. James Deviney - District President, West Nerthumberland Mrs. R. C. Allen - District Secretary, West Northumberland Mrs. James Garbutt - District President, East Hastings mrs. James Jargey, Bloomfield Mrs. J. A. McFee, Belleville Mrs. Woodley, Belleville, Mrs. W. C. Mikel, Belleville. A Sub-committee included.Mrs. G. F. Clarke, Mrs. E. B. Finkle, Miss Carrie Reid} Mrs. G. H. LenI'YO This committee held its meetings in New Queen's Hotel on Saturday afternoons to complete plans. The first convention, with three hundred delegates, Was hold in the City Hall, Belleville on October 26 and 27, 1926. mrs. M. B. 'Weese, the first chairman, presided at the opening session at 1:50. After singing the Ode and repeating The LOrd's Prayer, Mrs. Weese made an appropriate address. Mrs, C. A. Blacker, Marmora, was elected press secretary anders. G. F. Clarke, Brighton, Convention Secretary. In the absence of Mayor Graham, Alderman.A. B. Collins extended a hearty welcome to the visitors and Mrs. J. R. Brown,‘Marmora, responded. Mr. Putnam addressed the Convention briefly and gave helpful suggestions during the sessions. The District Presidents gave concise reports of work done in thoir Districts: Mrs. J. R. Brown, President, North Hastings, reported l,851.members. OVER