LEESTON BRANCH.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XIX, Issue 1933, 19 March 1898, Page 3

LEESTON BRANCH.

SECOND ANNIVERSARY. The second anniversary of the above Union was celebrated m the Town Hall, Leeston, on Thursday last, m the form of an invitation "At Home." There was a large number of guests, over 150 of both sexes having accepted the invitations. The hall was prettily and tastefully decorated. Tea was served on little tables dotted over the room, and the proceedings were of the most sociable nature. Mrs Arthur, lady president of the local union occupied the chair, and made an able and efficent conductor of the afternoon's business which was to hear the yearly reports of the Union, and also addresses by Mrs Shepherd, President of the Christchurch W.C.T.U., and Mrs Munnings of the same town. Mrs Arthur m opening the proceedings, thanked those present for their attendance, as that attendance was a sign, at least of sympathy with, their movement. Addresses would be given by Mrs Shepherd, the " Mother " of the movement m New -'Zealand^ by-Mrs Munnings, who took so prominent a part In the conduct of the " Mothers Union " m Chrigtchurch. Miss Barnett gave a short and interesting report of the Union which had only been m existence for 2 years. During the first year there were 32 members, m the second year this number rose to 52 of whom six had left the district, making the present number 46. During the year 13 new members had joined. The Union was increasing m power. It was distributing literature m connection with the Union, and m future they hoped to do more m that way. The Union was looking forward to a proud and happy future. (Applause). Miss Wills' read the balance sheet and financial report of which the principal items of revenue and expenditure were as follows :—Subscriptions £4 lls lid, Donations 13s lOd. The Expenditure consisted chiefly of expenses incurred with the railway fares of speakers £1 7s. New literature for distribution, £114s 6d. Distributing literature, £2 7s Bd. H.B. Fund 17s. The Union, the Secretary said, was wanting to go on, and if it had to go on, it would need money. Mrs Arthur read a telegram from Mr Lawry of Wellington, expressing her sympathy with the meeting that day. Mrs Shepherd then spoke, and commented on the fact of so many men. being present —a thing never seen at the Christchurch meetings. She then went on to speak of her meeting with the late Miss Willard, a sketch of whose life she ■ gave. She spoke m the highest terms of Miss Willard's nobleness of character, her constancy of purpose, her utter inability to be deterred by any obstacle, no matter what it was, her tact and her rigid adheience to what, she thought was right. She spoke of Miss Willard's work, whom she said had died a most noble death—she had died m harness. The speaker commented on the Contagious Diseases' Acts, and urged the people of Leeston to use their utmost m preventing any new law on the subject being brought into force. Mrs Munning's gave an address on the work now being performed m Christchurch m connection with the " Mother Union." She appealed to all the mothers to use their utmost m inducing their children to live pure and godly lives, and quoted Bishop Julius, who preaching said that though the State could effect much m the life of a citizen m his civic, and his physical surroundings, yet his moral education with which the State had nothing to do, was only to be gaiued from his mother. The mothers were the builders of the nation, and she asked all mothers to remember the great responsibility which rested on them. She especially appealed to the young mothers to come forward and help m the work. Mrs Arthur said that there was one thing on which she wished she could have heard more, and th.it was the question of drink. In connection with this, she had to tell those present that it was feared that Mr T. Taylor whose presence on the platform had been announced for that night, would most probably not be present. He had been announced to speak on prohibition, but it was thought had been prevented by having had to attend the Police Commission m Dunedin, but notwithstanding his absence, there would be speakers ready to take his place. During the afternoon, songs were sung by Misses E. Barnett and Wills, both items being much appreciated. The Rev. W. Grant spoke ' a few words at the conclusion of the afternoons' addresses. No mention of the afternoon would be complete without speaking ot the ' voluntary services of Mesdames P. Chamberlain, Harper, Arthur, Griffin, J. Carston, Young, Elder> Breeze, Parkins, Russell, and the Misses Barnett (2), Wills, and a host of others. All of these did everything m their power to contribute to the wants of their cuests.