NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 13, 1 July 1896, Page 4

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

[ire rely on our local Unions to s'nd us newt for this column. We cannot evolve it out of our inner fr*nsriousne#s.] Hawera. Before the last meeting of the Licensing Committee we obtained signatures to a petition to close the hotels at io p.m., instead of u p.m., but as all the committee members but one belong to the * Liquor Party, the petition was disregarded. Our Union has undertaken the free distribution of the Prohibitionist for a few months, the League providing the copies. W e should be glad if some one could give us the title of a book containing some definite instructions in the shape of short lectures for use in Bands of I lope. West Taieri In reply to letter re White Ribbon, it was resolved that each member contribute towards the debt. Five shillings was sent to the Brunnerton Fund. Several members contributed towards the making up of a box of goods for the New Hebrides Mission Field. The subject of Bible reading in schools was introduced, and resolutions passed in favour. It was resolved to resuscitate our Band of Hope, and steps were take.: ... Unis direction. Alliance leaflets are being distributed freely. Mosgiel. Our meeting was held on the last Thursday in June, when the attendance was good. Three new members joined.

A letter was read from Mr Hinton, Secretary, to the Prohibition League, re holding monthly public meetings to stir up temperance people before the Election. The question of enrolling electors was discussed. The meeting intended starting a Band of Hope, and it was hoped that Mrs Murdoch would take it up. A Mothers’ Meeting was held on Saturday evenings. Grey mouth. This branch of the W.C.T.U. is doing regular and steady work. Our first monthly Missionary Prayer Meeting was held a fortnight ago, taking the Uganda Mission as a start. Mrs Gaskin presided, and read interesting extracts of missionary labours. I distribution of religious papers and books continues every Sabbath morning. The Union is now considering taking up juvenile work, as nothing hitherto has been done in this line. We are hoping to be able to secure Mr Isitt’s s rvices on the Coast before the next election. Hokitika. A Business Meeting was held on nth June, but nothing of much importance was brought before the meeting. Attendance at business meetings in winter not so good as in summer time.

Evangelistic Department. —Cottage meetings, held weekly, are most encouraging ; attendance large, and God’s presence manifest. Mission Department. — A Missionary Prayer Meeting was held on 24th June, when Mr Thomas read extracts on Miss Weston’s work among the sailors in Devonport and Portsmouth. Those present were much interested, and fervent prayer offered for blessing on work and worker. Girls’ Winter Sew ing Class not started yet; none of the members willing to be appointed superintendent. Invercargill. The “ W ork for Friendless Girls (inaugurated a few months since) has had so much attention given to it, that there has been little time left for anything else. Our M.H.K. was awaited on, to ask his co-operation in getting the age of consent raised to eighteen years, and to having the time for laying information in criminal offences extended to three months, to both of which he agreed. His attention was also drawn to the fact that, as the law now stands, if a man slanders a women she can get

no redress, whereas if a woman slanders a man he can. The “ New Zealand .School Reader ” was strongly condemned, and is to be kept out of the district if possible. Dr. Ryder has been amongst 11s, to our edification in many ways. One result of her visit to our town is, that a “ Home Health Association ” has been formed, though not under the auspices of our Union. Lyttelton. Our Temperance Meeting held July 7th was very poorly attended, there being only five members present. Having received a letter from the Hokitika Union re Mission work, the matter was freely discussed, and it was unanimiously decided to devote the last Tuesday in the month to Mission work, each member bringing a Mission paper with something interesting in it. It was proposed and seconded that a resolution protesting against the action of the Legislative Council in throwing out the Repeal Bill he forwarded to the Speaker of the Upper House, and a resolution was unanimously passed thanking the Govern, ment for their efforts to Repeal the C. D. Acts. Palmerston. At the monthly meeting officers were elected as follows :—President, Miss Powell; Secret iry, Miss Barry ; Treasurer, Mrs \\ hitehead. It was arranged that meetings be held on the first and third Wednesday in each month—the intermediate one to be educational. Mrs Butters was appointed to take charge of the first of these—subject, “ Local Option.” Stratford. The fortnightly meeting of the Stratford (Taranaki) W.C T.U. was held in the Presbyterian Church on W ednesday, 24th June. MrsCollis, Organising Secretary New Plymouth, presided, and, after praise and prayer, the 1 minutes of previous meeting were read land confirmed. A paper on “ Loyal TTemperance Legion,” by Miss Anne Gordon, was then read by Mrs Collis. A discussion on “Juvenile W’ork ” then took place. It was proposed and carried that two copies of the W’h.te Ribbon be ordered for circulation among the members. Despite the rough weather and bad roads several of our members come regularly from a distance of six miles. Christchurch. A meeting was held on July 3rd. A resolution protesting against the action

of the Legislative Council in throwing out the C.D. Act Repeal Bill, thanking the Government for its efforts in passing the Bill through the Mouse of Representatives, and urging that it should take steps towards bringing the Upper Chamber more into touch with the people, was unanimously passed. It was reported that a few of the women in Amherley had expressed a wish that some of our members should go there and hold a meeting. Mrs Munnings and Mrs Sheppard were appointed to put themselves into communication with the Amberley correspondent. At the meeting held July Bth, at which Mrs Ballantyne presided, the question of starting another Coffee Room was mooted. Mrs Newton reported an interesting drawing-room meeting for girls, at which 40 were present, and were much interested in the addresses given ; anti Mrs Balk proposed a resolution favourable to Mr Kelly’s Bill re a servants’halfholiday, but not necessarily agreeing with all the details of the Bill. This was carried. Rotorua. Mrs Hewett, Superintendent of Maori work, held a very successful meeting at Rotorua for the Maoris. The Countess of Glasgow anu the bishopof Waipu were present, and gave addresses. 300 sat down to tea, and Lady Augusta Boyle piayetl a brilliant piece on th piano during the evening. The Maori band, numbering twenty-two, played selections of music admirably. The day after the meeting the Maoris sent a deputation of chiefs to thank Mrs Hewett formally for the interest she had taken in them, and to tell her how much they appreciated it. They also said that her words would not fail to the ground. Mrs Hewett formed a branch of the W.C.T.U. at Rotorua, twentyseven members joining. The President is an earnest Cnristian Maori, Kmai ? Boroamad by name, Mrs Webber is Vice-President, Teretu Katuna is Treasurer, and Miss Robmson, an English girl, who speaks Maori fluently, is Secretary. All paid their fees to the treasurer. a committee of men has also been appointed, with the Native Clergyman as President (Rev. —Ratuna), to help the young men who have signed the pledge, to see that the policeman does his duty, and to send petitions to Parliament when necessary. Mrs Hewett also held two meetings at Ngaruawhaia, besides visiting several pahs and taking 50 pledges. She is supplying all the members of the W .C.T.U. at Rotoiua, with New Testaments. These cost 2s 6d each, and

she will be glad of contributions to assist her in paying for them. Mrs Hewett hopes soon to start a paper for the Maoris something like the White Ribbon. Tauranga, The inaugural meeting of the Tauranga branch of the W.C.T.U. was held at Mrs R. O. Stewart’s, Topcroft, on the 6th May. The afternoon was very wet, and only a small number were present. Mrs ILL. Brittain was elected President pro tern. ; and Miss Maunsell Secretary and Treasurer. It was agreed that Maori temperance work should be the chief work of this district, the Europeans having several temperance agencies at work. Visits to the various kiangas were to be arranged as soon as a fresh supply of Maori pledge cards arrived. Wellington. A very pleasant meeting was held on the afternoon of July 2nd (first Thursday). Two new members were received. It was resolved to hold a social and sale of work on Thursday evening, July 30th, with the objects of raising a fund for securing a building or rooms for the work of the W.C.T.U., and of enlarging the membership. It is hoped that all members and friends will contribute. It was resolved, in response to a letter from Miss Jack, New Zealand Missionary Superintendent, to form a Department of Missionary W ork. The Secretary read an interesting letter from Lady Henry Somerset, published in the Union Signal , giving an account of Khama and the Bechuana chiefs to England. New Plymouth. Mrs Collis, Organising Secretary for Taranaki, writes that this branch obtained a parcel from Melbourne of up-to-date literature, selections of which she passed on tu the other branches in Taranaki. She has since January established W.C.T.U. branches at Hawera, Patea, Stratford, Midhirst, Toko, Ngaire, and Eltham. The Stratford branch has 35 members, and holds fortnightly meetings, distributing literature freely. Toko has 10 members; Mrs Kennedy is Acting-President and Secretary pro tern. Midhirst has 11 members President, Mrs Hills ; Secretary, Mrs Sergeant. Ngaire had eight members when organised; Mrs Crowther is President, and Mrs Bhingard Secretary. The departments of literature, franchise, and visiting absent members were in each case taken up. A branch was also established at Pungarehu ; eight members enrolled, Mrs

Hickman being appointed President, and Miss Sadler Secretary. The nucleus of a branch was formed at Kahotu, consisting of three members, which it is expected will expand shortly. Mrs Collis experienced a good deal of difficulty in travelling from place to place during such cold weather as we have had of late, but was rewarded in most towns by the warm reception she received. Dunedin. Union meeting was held July 7. Good attendance. Mr McGarren was present to give report of Juvenile Work done by him during Miss Seers’ absence. Miss Seers sends accounts of her work in this department. Sailors’ Rest Fund considered. —It was arranged that a sale of work Be undertaken, and other Unions be asked to contribute. A letter from Mrs Sheppard was received re the conduct of the Legislative Council in refusing to endorse the voteof the House of Representatives to repeal the C.D. Act. Miss Glasgow’s resignation, owing to her removal to Wellington, was accepted with regret. The White Ribbon was favourably spoken of —two new subscribers. One member was enrolled. Bible in Schools’ meeting was enthusiastic. Irish Text Book voted for. Mr E. B. Cargill in chair. Oamaru Y's. Our work was a good deal interrupted during June, owing to overtime work at the Woollen Factory keeping most of our members very busy, but our meetings, though smaller, have kept up in interest. We had a health talk one night, and several of us are benefiting already thiough following Dr. Emily Ryder’s common-sense rules of living. We are intending to follow up the subject more thoroughly. We have been pleased to receive circular letters from four Superintendents of National Departments, and are giving their suggestions our best attention.