MOTHERS' UNION.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 25, Issue 12, 1 December 1935, Page 6

MOTHERS' UNION.

The annual meeting of the Waiapu Diocesan Mothers' Union was held in St. Augustine's Schoolroom on Wednesdoy, October 9th, at 2.30 p.m. Mrs. Herbert Williams presided, over an excellent attendance of members and friends, town and country branches being well represented. After the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: — President, Mrs. Herbert Williams; vice-presidents, Mrs. Henley, Mrs. Brocklehurst, Mrs. Oxford; hon. secretary and treasurer, Deaconess Henn; literature secretary, Mrs. H. Mayo; G.F.S. representative, Mrs. Hansard; C.1.E., Mrs. Morse. The annual report read as follows: In presenting the annual report for the year ending 30th June, 1935, your executive reports that the Mothers' Union in this diocese has had a satisfactory year. There are 25 branches, with a membership of 763. Two new branches were' formed during the year, and we have an increase of 88 members. The Rev. William Lea had started a branch at Te Puke, but owing to illhealth Mr. Lea left for England. On his return we hope this branch will be re-organised. Mr. W. T. Mist is endeavouring to start a branch among the Maori women near Wairoa, but he writes that many difficulties have to be overcome before a branch can be

formed, and the prayers of members a,re asked for this special branch, work. In reality, our membership is much larger than our figures show,, but some of our secretaries have reduced their numbers because members have not paid their fees, and owing to lack of funds by that particular branch they have only counted financial members. Diocesan Council. — :The first meeting of the Diocesan Council was held on March 19th, 1935. Mrs. Mason, from Melanesia, attended this meeting and gave a most interesting talk on the formation of a Branch of the^ Mothers' Union amongst the native women on the- Island. Annual Meeting. — The Annual Meeting was held on November 6th, 1934; His Lordship the Bishop of Waiapu presiding over an excellent attendance of members and friends. After the business of the meeting concluded His Lordsliip gave a most helpful address on the "Sanctity of Marriage."' Annual Festival. — The Annual Festival was held at St. Matthew's; Church, Hastings, on Tuesday, November 13th, 1934. There was a largeattendance, over 200 members from, town and country branches being present. Canon Mortimer Jones conducted the Service, and the Right Reverend F. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aot.earoa,. gave the address. Appointment of Overseas Secretary. —Mrs. Pouder has been appointed to* the position of overseas secretary, left vacant last year by the retirement of Miss King. Mrs. Pouder Has had experience of life overseas, so will prove a most helpful and sympathetic . Secretary. ■ Correspondent in England.—^Mrs..Morse was reappointed to fill the\ position of Correspondent in England for the Waiapu Diocese. We wish to^ express our thanks and appreciation to Mrs. Morse for her interest in tseWaiapu Diocese, and also for representing us at many important servicesand meetings in England. Literature. — The subscriptions toour Magazines show a slight increase.. We would again draw members' attention to the fact that the "Mothers in Australia and New Zealand" is now a monthly magazine and well worth the modest sum of Is 8d per annum that

is charged for it. The Dominion News ~was published in . September, every member receiving a free copy. Mothers' Union Librarian.— At the September Meeting of the Diocesan Council of the Mothers' Union, Mrs. Croldsmith, Librarian for the Waiapu Mothers' Union, was made a member of the Council so that branch secretaries could have the opportunity of obtaining books from the Mothers' Union Library if they wished to do so. Thanks. — We sincerely thank the •Clergy throughout the Diocese for their co-operation and help at our meetings', the many speakers who habe addressed meetings, and all who have helped us • during the year, especially Mr. Pilson and. Miss Prebble, of the Diocesan Office, who are always Avilling to assist us 1 in •every possible way.