White Ribbon Work in the Taranaki District.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 8, 1 February 1896, Page 3

White Ribbon Work in the Taranaki District.

A very promising branch of the W.C.T.U. was formed in New Plymouth some three months ago by Mr T. E. Taylor, who had the pleasure of finding a band of men and women asking to be formed into a society, and eager to set to work. Acting on his recommendation, the new Union decided to invite our Recording Secretary to come to Taranaki, and address meetings in the interests of White Ribbon work. Our campaign accordingly opened with an afternoon meeting at Waitara on Saturday, January 4th, twelve miles from New Ply mouth ; and, in spite of a terrible downpour of rain, about thirty ladies and a few gentlemen assembled in the Town Hall to listen to a hopeful address by Miss L. M. Kirk on the origin and aims of the Union. Mrs Allen Douglas, V.P. New Plymouth Union presided, and the meeting was very bright and pleasant. On Sunday night, in spite of the pouring rain, between 700 and 800 people gathered in the Alexandra Hall, New Plymouth, after church service, when an interesting address on the Union mottowas given. The Rev W. Potter presided, and gave an earnest, helpful address. We had arranged fora meeting at Inglewood on Monday, and in spite of a severe thunderstorm, about eighty people turned out; and the chair was admiiably taken by Mrs E. Howell. The address on pledge signing and prohibition was earnestly argumentative, and about a dozen pledges were taken at the end, several of the signers being fine young men. On Tuesday evening w'e held another meeting in the Alexandra Hall, which was charmingly decorated w'ith blue and white chains, baskets of white flowers, and wreaths. Mrs Drew, the President (of whom her coworkers are justly proud), took the chair, and the proceedings began with very good singing from a specially-formed choir of young ladies. The President then introduced Miss Kirk, who spoke at some length on the inception and grow th of the W.C.T.U. Then came an interval, pleasantly filled with music from the chon, one or tw’o action songs, with waving bouquets and bands of ribbon

white, being especially charming. Then followed a second speech from Miss Kirk, entitled “ Prohibition : Does it Pay ? ” This proved most interesting, and was “ freely irradiated by flashes of humour,” as the newspaper man says. On Wednesday evening, St. Mary’s Hall was full to hear a homely talk on possibilities of work for our own Union. That meeting will, we hope, give us many new members. At Hawcra, on Thursday afternoon, a meeting of ladies was held to discuss the possibility of forming a Union ; about fifty were present. It was felt that here as in New Plymouth, it is strongly incumbent on the temperance people to have a temperance booth at the A. and P. Show, that it may be made possible for visitors to avoid a possible temptation : the matter will probably beattended to in l>oth towns this year. The evening meeting in the Wesleyan Church was a large and enthusiastic one ; several ladies and gentlemen were good enough to fill the interval with songs, which helped the success of the meeting greatly. Mr Robbins, the energetic president of the Prohibition League, took the chair ; and resolutions dealing with a proposed club charter were passed. Several clergymen were present, and three or four took part. The sympathy and kindliness oi nearly all the ministers in the district was most lie!piul ami encouraging. With such a band of workers, and such helpers as we have in Taranaki district, there can be ik doubt as to the ultimate triumph of the W .C.T.U in its warfare for the cause of God and Home and Humanity. Ruru.