NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 2, Issue 19, 1 January 1897, Page 3

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

W$ rely on our local Unions to send us ieu's for this column. We cannot evolve it ov\t of our inner conmousiu***.]

New Plymouth. The annual meeting of the W.C. T. U. was held on the 9th December. Mrs Allan Douglas was re-elected President; Mrs F. Asher, Secretary; and Mrs Walton, Treasurer. Miss Ahier was elected Corresponding Secretary. The appointments previously held of superintendents of literature, franchise, visiting, juvenile work, and organisation were confirmed. Mrs Chatterton, sen., is to be invited to become superintendent of evangelistic and home meetings department, with four associates. There was a satisfactory balancesheet, and a supply of literature was reported on hand. The public meeting, following the business meeting at eight o’clock, was opened by the President with prayer and reading the Crusade Psalm (146th), when the various superintendents of departments gave very gratifying reports of the year’s work. The President’s address followed, in which reference was made to Miss Willard, the noble leader of the World’s W.C.T.U , whose portrait, draped with white ribbon, occupied a conspicuous position. The Rev Mr Garland delivered an address of encouragement and congratulation, especially noting the spirit of hopeful determination with which the members leferred to their prospective work, and warmly commended the wide scope of their endeavour in attacking, not the drinking habit only, but the numerous other evils which are a continual menace to our home life. The Rev Mr Potter spoke of the value and need of work for the

children, and suggested that the assistance of some of the Union members might be available for the Bands of Hope. Appropriate hymns, at intervals, enlivened the proceedings, Mrs Batten kindly presiding at the organ. Mr W. A. Cullis, on behalf of the Prohibition League, took occasion to heartily thank the members of the Union for their willing and unremitting services, both in preparation for and on election day. The meeting closed with the Benediction. Brunnerton. Our usual monthly meeting was held on Dec Ist. Our numners were not so large as usual, owing to the fact that it was held in the afternoon. Consideration of how best to further Temperance interest at the coining election occupied the greater part of the time. The use of a vehicle for the convenience of those living at a distance was offered by one of the members, and committees were formed to canvass the several parts of the district on Election da>, distributing leaflets “ How to Vote,’ and urging upon electors the duty of coming forward and using their privileges. Midhurst. The fortnightly meeting of the Midhurst W C T.U. was held in the Wesleyan Chapel on Dec. Bth. Our President, Mrs W Hills, presided. After the usual opening ceremony, Mrs Black was then called upon to read a paper on “ The Ideal Home.” A good deal of discussion on the paper followed, and we spent a very interesting and profitable hour. Our membership is now 22, which is very encouraging for a small place like Midhurst. The meeting closed with singing and prayer. Christchurch, The annual meeting was held on Dec. 9, when officers were appointed for the ensuing year. The app >intments were 1 as follows :—President, Mrs Sheppard; Vice-Presidents, Mrs Cole and Mrs Howard ; Secretary, Mrs Widdowson ; Treasurer, Mrs Seed. Superintendents of Departments: Evangelistic, Mrs F. Isitt; Drawing Room meetings, Mrs I Newton; Juvenile Work, Mrs Nicholl, Mrs Allan, and Mrs F'erguson; Vs j Department, Miss Gordon ; Scientific Temperance Instruction, Miss Maginnes ; Flower Missions, Misses Ballantyne and Bishop; Sunday trading, Mrs Ribinson; Hygiene, Mrs Wells; Heredity, Mrs T. E. Taylor; Legislation and Petitions, Mrs W. S. Smith; Social Purity, Mrs Munnings;

Rescue Work, Mrs Guise ; Coffee Rooms, Mrs Baliantyne Appreciation was expressed of the work of the retiring officers. It was announced that new coffeerooms had been engaged which would be opened in January, under Mrs Ballantyne's able superintendency, those in Manchester-street being s,il i retained. It was decided not to meet until the second week in February, when officers and o*ip?rintendents reports for the past year would be received.