METHODIST WOMEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 248, 19 October 1937, Page 2

METHODIST WOMEN

CONCH DING DAYS OF CONFERENCE The twenty-third conference of the Methodist Women’s Missionary Union, which commenced at Auckland last Tuesday, finalised its business on Friday, when the induction of the new executive took place, the new president, Miss E. Rishworth being introduced by the retiring president, Mrs H. L. Duke. At the concluding day’s gathering the annual report was presented. Miss Purdie, honorary secretary for the union, reported that there was a membership of 3081 as opposed to last year’s total of 2960. The work of the union, stated the report, had been extended during the past year. Auckland had reported the formation of two new branches, one at Waterview and the other at Birkdale. The Te Kopuni branch had now affiliated with Dargaville, and the Wellington reports showed the formation of a branch at Brooklyn, and another branch had been formed • t Eketahuna by Masterton. There were at present 63 active auxiliaries afiiliated with the union. At the beginning of the year Marton and Timaru branches had joined, and later Te Kuiti and Upper Hutt had also decided to join the affiliation. The largest increase in membership for any one branch was reported by Wanganui, who throughout the year had managed to enrol 25 new members.

The executive report showed that this year the personnel of the members had remained unchanged. Convention meetings had been held in Feilding, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill, and although the attendances in many cases had been disappointing, the work done had been efficient and inspiring. The sister’s report also showed no change in the personnel of the staff. A special welcome was given to Sister Elizabeth Common, of Solomon Islands, who was visiting the conference. During the past year Sister Vera Cannon had been home on furlough, and had visited the auxiliaries in North and South Auckland. Executive nominations had been made for the appointment of Miss Effie Harkness to the position of teaching sister, and Sister Grace Macdonald as sister for the Solomftn Islands. The Young Women’s Bible Class Movement reported an increasing interest in the work of the missions. The report stated that it was to be regretted that there was so little literature available telling of the mission work done by the Church in New Zealand. The Dominion executive ot the movement forwarded the suggestion that, as a further means of cooperation, it might be worth while having a combined prayer leaflet. The executive had approved of this suggestion, and a committee, comprising Mesdames Boyer, Sage, Queree, Nicholson, Denby and Pacey had been set up to prepare a suitable leaflet. Officers Appointed The appointment of officers resulted as follows: Minute secretary, Mrs Phillips; reporter for Methodist Times Mrs Armitage; reporter for the Open Door, Mrs Sage; official, conference reporter, Miss Mabel Reid. Sister Elizabeth Commons, of Solomon Island, gave a description of the work that was being done there.