MOTHERS' UNION.

Waiapu Church Gazette, 1 October 1933, Page 1

MOTHERS' UNION.

DIOCESE OF WAIAPU. ANNUAL MEETING HELD The Mothers' Union of the Waiapu Diocese held its annual meeting m Napier on August 30th, the Rt. Rev. Herbert Williams, Bishop of Waiapu, presiding over an excellent attendance of members and friends. Also on the dais were the diocesan president, Mrs Herbert Williams, Deaconess Brand and Mrs W. Norman (secretary) . Dean Brocklehurst, the Rev. A. Hodge and the Rev; B. R. Brierley were also m attendance. Following the reading of the annual report, which, together with the balance sheet, was adopted, appreciation of the splendid work which had been carried out during the year by the secretary, Mrs Norman, was expressed by Mrs M. W. Henley. Mrs Williams supported Mrs Henley's remarks. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President, Mrs Herbert Williams; vice-presidents: Mrs M. W. Henley (Napier), Mrs J. H. Hansard (Napier), and Mrs A. F; Hall (Gisborne); secretary and treasurer, Mrs W. Norman; literature associate, Mrs Waddell; G.F.S. representative, Mrs J. B. Brocklehurst; correspondent m England, Mrs G. H. Morse. The annual report of the Mothers' Union m the Waiapu Diocese shows

that steady progress is being made m all the branches. Meetings throughout the year have been well attended and the interest sustained. "We have 21 branches, with a membership of 690, and two new branches are being formed m the Gisborne district." When the business of the meeting was completed the Bishop addressed those present and gave a definite message to members of the Mothers' Union on the necessity of religious instruction m the home. There is far too little recognition of God m the home," remarked His Lordship, "and I would suggest that it is a very useful and helpful thing to find time m your homes for your husbands, your children, and yourselves to meet together regularly for the purpose of reading a few verses of the Bible and saying the Lord's Prayer, and another very simple method of recognising God is to say grace before meals." BRANCHES' ANNUAL REPORTS The annual report of the Mothers' Union m the Waiapu Diocese gives a broad outline of the work done m the circuit of branches during the past year. The annual festival was held m St. Matthew's Church, Hastings, on November 10th, 1932, and was an outstanding success, it says, members coming from many parts of the diocese. The service was conducted by the Yen. Archdeacon Maclean, who gave a most impressive address. The report continues: — "St. John's Cathedral has had wellattended meetings, the most impressive service being the one following the dedication of the new font. St. Augustine's has had a satisfactory year. Many interesting addresses were given by outside speakers. Eight new members were admitted. St. Andrew's reports very satisfactory progress. The membership has steadily increased, and meetings have been very well attended. St. Matthew's, Hastings, has had a successful year. Several new members have been, admitted. Taradale-Greenmeadows, held eight meetings during the year. They have a membership of 35, three new members being admitted during the year. "Waipukurau.— Attendance at the monthly meetings has been well maintained. Some of the' most successful

and helpful addresses have been when members have prepared papers on certain subjects and read them at the meetings. Wairoa held seven wellattended meetings. In November a garden party was held and was greatly enjoyed by all. Parkvale meetings have been held regularly. Parkvale records with regret the passing of its friend and vicar, the Rev. John Hobbs. St. Peter's, Waipawa, had a vory successful year. In November a garden party was held m the vicarage grounds. Members have taken a keen interest m the work at Abbotsford Home and have given generous assistance. Otane held the usual meetings during the year. Many members have left the district. Several interesting speakers addressed the members'. Takapau meetings have been held each month. Five new members have been admitted. Corporate Communion is held each month. "Clive members faithfully carry on the work of the Mothers' Union. Several interesting addresses were given during the year. Gisborne has had a successful year, with an average attendance of 45. Fourteen new members 1 were admitted during the year. Muiwai reports a successful year. Two new members were admitted and several Maori members hope to be admitted during the year. Muriwai hopes that two new branches will be formed m its district at an early date. Tokomaru Bay reports that all meetings are being attended by practically every member. Several interesting letters and gifts have been received from our English link. Pukehou ha& held several interesting meetings. A most interesting address was given by Mrs Henley on the worldwide conference. "Dannevirke reports a successful year. Five new members were admitted, making the membership 54. Te Rehunga held well-attended services regularly throughout the year. Several interesting addresses were given during the year. Havelock North reports that meetings have been held regularly and that the year has been a quiet but satisfactory one. Seven new members were admitted. Opotiki reports well attended meetings, and the interest of members is well sustained. Five new members were admitted. Whakatane meetings have been well attend-

ed. Members have taken a keen interest m the work of the Maori minister and his wife and the children under their charge. Although a small branch Whakatane does splendid work m upholding the ideals of the Mothers' Union m the isolated areas." DOMINION COUNCIL REPORT On Wednesday, August 23rd, it was my privilege to represent Waiapu at the Dominion Council of the Mothers' Union, which was held m Wellington. Fourteen delegates were present from different parts of New Zealand. Nelson being the only Diocese without a representative at the meeting. Our patroness, Her Excellency Lady Bl&disloe arrived at 10 a.m. and after the delegates' had been presented to her, the Dominion President, Mrs West-Watson opened the Conference with Prayer. Her Excellency Lady Bledisloe then addressed the meeting and expressed her admiration of the work being done by the Mothers'. Union throughout New Zealand. After the President's opening remarks, a letter from the Archbishop was read. This letter which contains a message to all members of the Mothers' Union, will be printed m the Dominion News which is to be published m September, so all members throughout New Zealand will have an opportunity of reading it. Lady Bledisloe, after asking the delegates to tea at Government House, then left the meeting and the business of the Conference began. The agenda was a lengthy one, containing important' remits from several of the Diocese. It is impossible for me to give a detailed account of the business, transacted because our space is limited, but the Dominion secretary, Mrs Roberts is Having a type-written copy of the proceedings drawn up and every enrolling member or secretary of the Mothers' Union will have one sent to her so that she may read to her members an account of all the business dealt with. The Call to Renewal was one of the subjects that came up for discussion. When the President saw the Intercession leaflet prepared by the Waiapu diocese she asked me to convey to Waiapu her congratulations on being the first Diocese to make a definite effort to take part m this important movement.

Special days are being taken by each Diocese for their intercession m October. Monday, October 2nd, Auckland. Tuesday, October 3rd, Christchurch and Wellington. Wednesday, October 4th, Waiapu, Dunedin and Waikato. The Dominion President also desires that every Diocese make a special effort to have a Thanksgiving Day on June 19th, 1934, m every Cathedral throughout New Zealand. The election of officers was as follows: — President. Mrs West-Watson, Christchurch; vice-president, Mrs Marriner, Christchurch. Mrs Averill resigned from the position of vice-president, and was made a life vice-president. Mts Roberts was re-elected secretary. At the conclusion of the business, the delegates left at 4.30 p.m. for Government House, where a very pleasant time was spent. Her Excellency Lady Bledisloe with her natural charm of manner, made us all feel at home and she spent a short time chatting with each delegate. All too soon came the time for our_ departure but the memory of a most helpful and enjoyable experience will long remain. M. E. NORMAN, Diocesan Secretary, Waiapu Mothers' Union.