WEST TACERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2525, 6 August 1902, Page 44

WEST TACERS.

July 29 -The annual soires of the West Tfcic-ri brunch of the P.W M. Union w«a held m the chuich. on tke lf.th mat. There was a good attendance, an'l speeches were listened to from, the Rev. R. Pairmnid and Mr Ti Fay Loi with much attention Tea and refreshments were handed round at 8.30 p-m., after which Miss Henderson, of Madras, addressed the meeting, and showsd- two "■ saris ' of silk axxl muslin which were gracefully draped upon two- young ladies by th» missionary herself. Several concerted items w«re rendered by the choir, led by MiesF. Chisholm, which gave mnch. pleasure, and soloa by Xfrs F. M'Diarmid and Mrs Burns were much appreciated.

The following progress raport of the union wa-s read by Miss Fulton, the local secretary on thie occasion —

" The monthly meetings have been well sustained since the first gathering here oi September, 1897, when our Women's Missionary Association was united to the Prcbbjterian Church. Our meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, excepting January, when many of our members ar* absent owing to the holiday season. Much is done to develop and increase interest in the home and foreign missions of the union. We were able to assist in defraying the expenses of the mission boxes to Indin and New Hebrides from the proceeds of our last year's soiree, and we also sent, as usual, 10s to Mr A. R. Falconer for the borne and foreign mission to our solditrs and sailors. Ever since Dr Stuaj-t, in 1892. inaugurated our Mifesionary Associaton, wbon Miss M<ugregor went out to India with Mrs Longhurst an our first missionary, Madras has been much on our hearts, ajid we are glad to have the pleasure of hearing Miss Henderson herself this evening, who for five years h<is b?en working at that station. T'ae sum of 10d was voted towards

a box for the famine sufferers in North India,

whxch was supplemented by private gifta, aud the box was sent out last September through

I the T7'.Hon Steam Ship Company to Calcutta. I The niateri.il and clothing weie thankfully I acknowledged and distributed by Mj-ss Valpy, ! of Calcutta. Thtre are still 30,000 orphans oil the hands of the public for support, as a sorrowful 1 legacy from continuous famine in India. Many of these children are being trained in m-

dustrial work, of which Miss Henderson can give us nioro information. We have several kind collectors who canvass our district annually for subscriptions to the three missions of tlie Union— ilje Zenana, local Chinese, and New Hebrides. This year .£2O 19s 6d was, thus collected and sent in to the general treasurer of the P W. if.tT There are 21 members on our roll who have paid the ouc ahiUing annual fee. We have £1 16 a3d in hsag, Att <mfi

monthly meetings- letters, from miasicn.iri.es are read, and interesting details of work at home and abroad axe given, all of which, help to- foster continuance in missionary. zeaL. This ye*r'a report would 6e incomplete without refeience to the lass, sustained by the- removal of our late honoured minister and president (.the Rew J. KirklancD, who presided at our last missionary social m this chuich, when Miss Blair was leaving for India in 1899-. We shall always. £esl that, the basis for work for the- heathen was laid in "West Taieri, largely by- the efforts of Mi and Mrs Eirkland. The. memory of the just is blessed. We recall to mind the prayerful sympathy of those no longer with us. We trust we are now entering on a year of further activity under our present minister, and 1 that we may realise that we are. holding the ropes for those who go dawn inia the darkness with the Lamp of Life in their hand. In giving our contribution we would recall these lines • Just a penny a day. For the sad and the sighing, Just; a penny a day , Think oi lands far away. In darkneso they're dying, Oh, give while you may, Just a penny a day. For tfie sad and the sigliir.g.

" Further contributions to. the Famine Fund will be gratefully received' by the hon. organising se-retary, Mr Thomas A- Barley, care Messrs WiHiam. Wateon and Co., Bombay ; or by Mrs Lee,, of Calcutta, Famine Orphanage." In a private letter from Ms Thomas A. Bailey., a. gentleman, of means, who. is the' hen. organising secretary of the? mission. to> lepers in India and the East, tliat gentleman, after, thanking Miss. Fulton and her. friend SEss. Borrie for generous gift* towards the suEpw* of the orphans- of LkKjv, mentions thai hiß wife and himself have agom gone to roside in India to help on. the- work amongst, the poor outcast LepCTS. They had made- a long journey among the leoer asylnms of the south, and were greatly cheered by the signs of blessing they saw. The work amongst the famine orphans was also being blessed.