BAND OF HOPE UNION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18085, 19 February 1927, Page 4

BAND OF HOPE UNION.

The first of the monthly meetings of the Canterbury Band of Hope Union was held in the W.C.T.U. rooms. The president, Air E. A. AL. Leaver, presided over a good attendance of delegates. . , Correspondence was fiom the Kaiapoi W.C.T.U. conveying their thanks for assistance with their local competitions, also conveying their sincere thanks to Mr and Airs Deans, Mrs Hughes,, and Air Al’M. Patterson, who acted as judges.

The president extended a hearty welcome to two new delegates from the Richmond-Shirley Society. Air Patterson, Alliance area organiser, was granted permission to give a talk on “ Extension Work ” at the Alarch meeting. It was suggested that this was an opportune time at the opening of the new season’s work.

The Alliance reported that the Rev Wickham, of London, was scheduled to \-isit Christchurch early in April. On Alonday, April 4, he would give a lecture to Band of Hope workers and others interested in temperance work, and later in the week a demonstration at a special Band of Hope meeting in the St Paul’s School Hall, when invitations are to be issued to all Band of Hope workers to attend. The meeting endorsed a report from a special committee that a children's temperance festival be held in July. All the arrangements were left in the hands of a committee, who are to report at the next meeting. The president reported that a number of the members of the “ Y ” branch of the W.C.T.U. had been in special training as temperance speakers, and were willing to give addresses at the Band of Hope meetings. It was unanimously decided to accept the offer, the secretary to make necessary arrangements for supplying societies. Air A. Al’M. Patterson expressed thanks to the union for the permission to organise a temperance concert party from the winners in the competitions. The party travelled throughout the Hurunui electorate from January 10 to 29. The party, who were very well received at all the places visited, consisted of Airs E. Evans (chaperone), Airs I. Brown (accompanist), and Alisses Esma Evans, Joyce and Grace Nixon, Kathleen Chappel and Doris Bonneley, and Alaster Dawson Douglas. Air Opic acted as voluntary advance agent, while Alessrs A. Al’Al. Patterson and Osborne were the organisers who accompanied the party. At all of the places visited good work was accomplished, and promises of endeavours to open Bands of Hope were very encouraging.

It was decided that all country societies be invited to send representatives to the festival, and hospitality should be provided. The secretary was instructed to procure dates of meetings of the thirty-two affiliated societies. Any societies in need of supplies of recitations and dialogues were asked to apply to the secretary. These could be supplied at a small cost.