Rambling Notes.

White Ribbon, Volume 3, Issue 26, 1 August 1897, Page 5

Rambling Notes.

By the New Zealand Corresponding Secretary. I am sure our \Yhite-ribl>om*rs all over the colony will feel interested in the aggressive work which is being carried on in the Palmerston North district. By invitation of a member of the district Union residing at Ashurst, on June 9, four Palmerston Whiteribl>oners drove out to that town. It was a raw, cold afternoon, and glad were we to find ourselves seated at Mrs Crichton’s hospitable fireside. After tea we repaired to the Wesleyan Chucrh to take pait in a public meeting for women ; Mrs Crichton occupied the chair, and the audience numbered nine. However, nothing daunted, we went faithfully through with the programme —which included short addresses by Mrs Grace and Mrs Putters, while 1 explained the objects of the W.C.TU. —and we secured three blight girls as a nucleus tor the future. On July i« I again visited Ashurst, accompanied by Mrs Parry, the district secretary. The afternoon meeting for women was well attended, and a branch organized w ith twelve members. Captain Law’, of the Salvation Army, was the first to sign, and at the evening meeting our Army friends gave up to us their hall and did everything possible to make the meeting a success. The building was well filled and we enrolled more women, bringing the membership up to eighteen. Moral Never l>e disheartened, and “despise not the day of small things." Mr George Grant, who had come out to speak at our meeting, drove us home, and a merry trio we were, in spite of a bitter w’ind and driving rain. The Woodville friends had for some time been anxious for a branch, and meetings were arranged for Monday, July 19. The weather was most unkind cold and wet —and I almost hoped they would wire, “ No use to attempt meeting this weather.” As they had more faith than I, they tele? aphed that they were expecting mt and the noon train found me en route. A slip on the line detained us for threequarters of an hour; a Lutheran pastor engaged ine in conversation, and we had a battle royal on the subject of women speaking in public, Paul, of course, figuring largely. At three o'clock a number of ladies assembled in the Foresters’ Hall, Woodville, where a bright fire had been lighted. After explaining the objects 2nd scupe of the work, a branch was organised. A Good Templar social at

night further raised our inembeiship by three The next afternoon and evt ning were spent, under the guidance of my kind hostess. Mr Cox, in visiting a number of ladies in the neighliourhood and interesting them in the work. On Wednesday afternoon I travelled to Darnevirke, to speak at a Hand of Hope social. All the friends being engaged in the preparation of the tea, 1 procured a list of the principal ladies in the town likely to join us, and s illied forth My official position was duly set forth on my card, hut the magic letters W.C.T.U. meant nothing to them. How 1 laughed in my sleeve, for I think they took me for a book find ! As soon as I mentioned Women's Christum Temper ana Unum the scene was changed, and 1 met with great cordiality and attention. [N.H. —Profiting by this experience I now write the words in full.; The evening meeting, which included a farewell to Rev W. and Mrs Judkins, was a great success. and at the close several new’ pledges were taken. Next morning, after w-riting a local for the paper, and inserting an advertisement calling a meeting of women in the Town Hall for Friday afternoon, my hostess -the Mayoress—drove me out to visit some likely members. Arriving at home at noon I found a letter from Ormondville stating that the infant Union commenced by Mrs Isitt in June 1 »st were expecting to me# t me tne same afternoon. 1 here w’as just time for a hasty dinner before the train started, and upon arrival at my destination 1 was met by Rev T. J and Mrs Wills, and taken to the house of Miss Paterson, the secretary. Here the friends soon gathered, and after an interesting talk together one more member was enrolled I was kindly entertained at the Vicarage, and favoured with an insight into Mr Wills’ new’ book, which I hope will be circulated as widely as possible, as it will l>e very useful to our work. All secretaries will shortly receive an advance notice of the work, and I would urge that they get as many orders for it as possible, particularly among Church of England friends. Returning to Dannevirke on Friday, ip the afternoon 1 met the ladies interested in our work, and enrolled several as White-ribboners. Hie office of president proved a terrible stumb-ling-block, and finally an early date was fixed for a meeting to elect officers, which, I understand, has since been done. On Saturday I travelled to Pahiatu a, where I was the guest of the Mayor,

Mr Job Vile. After Church on Sunday evening 1 addressed a pub»»c meeting in the Town Hall. KfV H. Bcgg s took the chair, and in announcing the meeting for women the mxt afternoon he iK-sought the women present to do anything they were asked—a request which bore good fruit the next day w’h»*n we formed a branch, as no difficulty was experienced in eketing suitable officers. As 1 passe 1 through Woodville another meeting of the Union there was held, and on the Wednesday I returned to Palmerston. I*exton was visited next day, and a branch started there, w’hich will have the advantage of the fostering care of Mrs Astler, of Levin. In all nineteen pledges were t ikon, and thirteen subscribers for the White Ribbon s-cured. Just before posting 1 may mention that an energetic Union has beenlormed in little Colyton, and four subscribers to the White Ribbon secured. PLEDGE Loyal Temperance Legion. Trusting in God s help, 1 solemnly promise to abstain trom the use of alcoholic drinks, including wine, Inter, and cider, from the use of tobacco in any fotin, and from profanity.