Women's Christian Temperance Association.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7109, 10 March 1891, Page 4

Women's Christian Temperance Association.

ANNUAL CONVENTION. The adjourned session from Friday morning met later, and continued the discussion on the proposed amendment to the constitution. Eventually it was put to the meeting, the result being eighteen for and twenty-three against the amendment. It was therefore declared lost. A telegram from the Wesleyan Conference in response to one of greeting Bent from the Convention was received. The following suggestions from the Recommendations Committee were approved:—"(l) That the substance of the ] amendment just lost should be strongly recommended to the notice of the local Unions. (2) That the District Unions be recommended to appoint the local President, or Borne other suitable lady, to visit the Auxiliary Unions in her special district periodically, to help and encourage them." The women's meeting took the place of the usual afternoon session, and the members adjourned till Monday morning. Monday, March 9. MORNING SESSION. Devotional exercises were held from 9.15 a.m. till 10 a.m. The following national officers were elected :— Mrs Fulton, National President ; Miss J. Fulton,- National Corresponding Secretary ; Miss L. Kirk, National Recording Secretary; Mrs Plimmer, National Treasurer. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr J. H. Baker, Commissioner of Crown Lands, for kindly procuring for the Union the use of the Provincial Council Chamber during the week of convention i to the editors of the daily papers for their courtesy and attention in reporting the daily and evening meetings during the past week ; to Mr Price and Miss Kirk for their kindness in auditing the national balance-sheet. The members expressed a hope that Mr Price would continue to act as auditor. It was resolved— " That the National President convey to the Hon James Fulton the congratulations of the Convention on his appointment to the Legislative Council of New Zealand, its high and grateful appreciation of the many and valuable services he rendered to the cause of temperance while a member of the Lower Houße, and the hope that the W.C.T.U. may long continue to receive his acceptable assistance." A telegram of congratulation and greeting was received from Mr Jamas Mackay, Wellington, Local Secretary to the Society of the Knights of Labour. A reply was framed, which the Secretary was instructed to bend. The following national superintendents were appointed:— Mrs Kirkland, evangelistic and drawing-room and cottage meetings ; Miss Fulton (Dunedin), Sunday school and juvenile work ; Mrs CostftU (Wellington), Sabbath observance! Mrs E. B. Miller (Dunedin), young women's work ; Mrs Schnackenberg (Auckland), scientific temperance instruction in schools j Mrs Paoke (Christchurch), unfermented wine ; Mrs Maine (Auckland), influencing the Presß ; Mrs Troy (Napier), hygiene ; Mrs Kirkland (Dunedin), Bible in schools; Mrs Packo, narcotics; Mrs Venables, social purity and prison work ; Mrs Dick (Dunedin), Sailors' Rests ; Miss Edith Boot (Dunedin), flower missions ; Miss Kelsey (Dunedin), peace and arbitration ; Mrs Corlett (Christchurch), relief work ; Mrs Sheppard (Christchurch), franchise and petitions ; Mrs Wright (Wellington), Sunday trading ; Mrs Venables (Christchurch), prison work. AFTERNOON SESSION. Mrs Packe proposed — " That the Secretary and Treasurer of the World's Union be, in virtue of their offices, on the National Executive." The proposition was lost. A letter was framed, addressing the different Synods on the subject of using unfermented wine at the Communion services. Arrangements were made for printing the yearly report. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Christchurch Union for its courteous reception of delegates and friends. Mrs Richardson responded. Mrs Holloway invited Convention to Auckland next year, and the invitation was accepted. The time proposed is the last week in March. Some unfinished business was left to the National Executive, and the Convention was closed. MKMBERSHIP OF THK UNION. The different branches of the W.C.T. Union in New Zealand, with their membership, are as follow :— Auckland 62 members, Napier 47, Wellington 41, Nelson 17, Christchuuch 50, Dunedin 59, Ashburton 27, Invercargill 42, Oamarn 5, Timaru 10, Rangiora 15, Lyttelton 24, Kaiapoi 57, Port Chalmers 40, North-east Valley 15, West Taieri 18, Mosgiel 21; total, 533. Young Women's Christian Temperance Unions— Mosgiel 21, Oamaiu 28, Weßt Taieri 20, Port Chalmers 22; total, 91.