W.C.T.U.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 221, 5 September 1929, Page 5

W.C.T.U.

H.B. DISTRICT CONVENTION. BUSINESS TRANSACTED. The Hawke’s Bay District Convention of the W. C. T. U. was held in the Congregational Schoolroom, Napier, the morning being occupied with the welcome to delegates and a memorial service to the late Mrs R. C Leask. The afternoon session was opened with devotions led by Mrs Speight. Reports were then given by the district officers and progress was reported in all branches. The following unions responded and all gave splendid reportsHavelock North, Dannevirke. Waipawa, Hastings, Norsewood, Makotuku, Waipukurau, Wairoa, Gisborne and Napier. The most outstanding item in the Napier report was the marked progress in the Cradle Roll and L.T.L. work. Mrs Wilson (Hastings) gave a short ,talk on “Social and Moral Hygeine.” This was listened to with interest. Mrs Peryman (Wellington) gave a most inspiring address on “The forward movement of the W.C.T.U. This movement Mrs Peryman said, “is to link up all members and everywhere it will grow. Wo are a very big organisation which stands firmly throughout the world, with its links of ribbon of white. Much can be done with the circulation of our own paper ‘The White Ribbon.’ We want advance, and when the new headquarters are opened, which are much needed for the work, we shall be able to advance more.” ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following district officers were elected:—President, Mrs Speight vice-president, Mrs Brocklehurst; secretary, Mrs Wilson (re-elected); treasurer, Mrs Hickmott. The following superintendents were elected:— Notable Days, Mrs Brocklehurst; Scientific Temperance, Mrs Milner; Birthday League, Mrs Donnelley; Maori “Y’’ Branch. Mrs Wilson. A table-cover is to bo competed for among all unions, for the union gaining most members. Mrs Poppelvvell (Napier) is to organise this. EVENING SESSION. The evening session took the form of a musical evening. The following performers contributed to the programme and all were listened to with the greatest of interest:—Pianoforte duet. Misses Moss, Recitation, Miss Dorothy Jones; vocal duet, Misses Moss (encore); recitation, Miss Montgomery (encore); vocal duet Misses Thompson .and Reardon; violin solo, Miss Blanche Keys; vocal solo. Miss Thompson (encore); vocal solo, Miss Buckingham (encore); dialogue, Misses Mary and Joan Milner.’

Votes of thanks were given by Mesdames Ruprecht and Brocklehurst. The district Convention was brought to a close with the singing of the Doxology. A DEPARTED LEADER. TRIBUTES TO LATE MRS LEASK. A tribute to the’ memory of the late Mrs R. C. Leask, formerly leader of the Napier branch of the W.C.T.U., was pdid at the Hawke’s Bay District Convention. The meeting rose in silent tribute to the memory of its late leader. Mrs Speight, dis trict vice-president, spoke of the great loss Mrs Leusk’s death had been to the district. She was a cheery and bright leader, a most efficient organiser and all her fellow workers realised she was a real live wire. Mrs Macalister voiced the love and admiration of the local union for its late president. She said all had felt the inspiration of her personality. They felt that her message to them would he “carry on,” and though sad at heart, their courage was still undaunted, and their determination to work for a dry Dominion was as firm as ever.

Mrs Peryman spoke of the loss the Dominion Union had sustained. Mrs Leask was a foundation member of the W.C.T.U in New Zealand. She had joined nearly 50 years ago. and had never slacked in her endeavours for the cause of God, home and humanity. Mrs Hull said that it was Mrs Leask’s wish that her white bowshould be placed upon her breast and buried with her and this was done. Mrs Wilson, district secretary, paid a tribute to the memory of a friend, and an ispiring comrade. She had been closely associated with Mrs Leask in the district work, and no woman had influenced or inspired her more than Mrs Leask. The short, memorial closed with the singing of 'Peace. Perfect Peace.” This hymn had been sung around the departed leader’s grave by the Huknrere Maori branch, oi which Mrs Leask was- the bright, adored and trusted leader