W.C.T.U. YEAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 71, Issue 36, 22 November 1950, Page 3

W.C.T.U. YEAR

ANNUAL MEETING HELD The annual meeting and election of officers and superintendents was held in conjunction with the monthly meeting of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union in the Methodist schoolroom. Sister Mildred presided and led the devotions, which opened with hymn and prayer. The Scripture message was from Galatians, Chapter 6. Several letters were read and a donation of a guinea, an annual gift in memory of the late Miss Trevurza, who had held the office of secretary for many years, was received.

Sister Mildred gave a short report of the District Council meeting, held in Timaru.

An executive meeting will be held in February, at which officers are asked to attend. The Dominion W.C.T.U. convention will be held in Dunedin next February. Unions are requested to send the names of delegates as soon as possible. Sister Mildred reported on the rest tent at the local show. The work was worth while, being much appreciated, especially by mothers of young babies. It was decided to hold the Band of Hope social at the beginning of the Band of Hope season.

The financial' repoit was given by Mrs Pierce, this showing a substantial credit balance, through several donations.

Mrs Lion reported on the cradleroll. There are 130 on the roll, 15 reaching the age limit. A happy and successful party had been held and .three new names were added to the roll.

Many letters of cheer and sympathy had been written by Mrs Harwood, and many letters of appreciation were received.

Sister Mildred reported on the Band of Hope. At one meeting a play was given, written by Mr Kippenberger. Visiting ’Varsity students gave an interesting talk while in Ashburton. Lantern pictures entertained the children on another evening. All meetings were thoroughly enjoyed. The pledge was signed by several. The .White Ribbon agent, Mrs Thompson, reported that there are 43 subscribers, including three new ones. The secretary, Mrs G. Holmes, gave a full report of the year’s activities. Meetings held monthly were full of interest, educational and enjoyable, with variety. All notable days had been suitably observed. Officers and superintendents have worked faithfully.

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to all who had worked for the union’s success and made the meetings enjoyable and profitable. The temperance fact was: Lord Rowallan, Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth, recently wrote: “As a lifelong abstainer myself, I fully endorse what the founder of Scouting said about the use of alcohol by Scouts. It is not only foolish but unpatriotic in the highest degree to risk hampering the full development of mind, body and spirit, just because a boy has not the strength to say ‘No.’ My advice, too, is to cut it out,” The election of officers resulted: President, Sister Mildred West; vicepresidents, Mesdames W. H. Robinson; Mcllroy, Bayley Withell and Lion; corresponding secretary, Mrs Harwood; recording secretary, Mrs G. Holmes; treasurer, Mrs Pierce; White Ribbon agent, Mrs Thompson; superintendents: Cradle roll, Mrs Lion; Sailors’ Day, Miss C. Jackson; Maori Missions, Mrs H. Butterick; flower and sick visitors, Mesdames Withell and S. G. Macfarlane; legal and parliamentary, Mrs E. Tucker; temperance fact, Miss Jennieson; social, Mrs Church (convener), assistants, Misses Jennieson and Armstrong.