Rambling Notes.

White Ribbon, Volume 3, Issue 29, 1 November 1897, Page 8

Rambling Notes.

By the New Zealand Corresponding Secretary. Midhurst was reached on Sept 2nd. The public meeting was small, an J the disgust of the friends—who had expected a crowd proportionate. This wrs, nowever, much more than counterbalance J by the women’s meeting the next afternoon, which was the largest afternoon meeting I have had any where. Little Midhirst, re-inforc d by three new members, now numbers thirty-three, with a large staff of honoraries. It also subscribes for fourteen copies of the White Ribbon. Hear and be ashamed, O ye larger towns that take a much smaller number ! A meeting had been arranged at Tariki road, but it was Saturday night, and the notice had been very short, so only a small audience assembled. The next day I had the pleasure of addressing the little Church of England Sun-day-school, which Mrs Harkness is so energetically carrying on—at present single-handed. I reached Inglewood on Monday, and spoke in the Wesleyan Church the same night. Considering that, through some misunderstanding, my arrival had been announced as privabie hut not certain, the friends turned out remarkably well. The Tuesday was spent, under the guidance of the Rev H. Blamires, in driving around the country, working up the women’s meeting for the next dav. This was very successful. The friends were very sorry they had allowed Mrs Isitt to go away

without re-forming the Union, and wishful that I should do so. At Waitara I was joined by Miss Oliver, and we held a meeting in the Town Hall. Next day the friends who met me in the afternoon seemed wishful to form a branch, so we organised. They intend taking up the distribution of literature, including “ White Cross " booklets.

For some time reports as to the unsatisfactory condition of the New Plymouth district Union had been reaching me, and as it seemed to be the wish of the friends that 1 should take the matter in hand, upon arrival there I set to work. Under the alternate guidance of two of the members--a third acting as Jehu, which office included the monotony of waiting outside with the buggy 1 visited personally every White-ribboner, with the exception of three, whom I was unable to reach, interesting them in the work, and urging them to make a fresh start. A public meeting in Whitely Hall on Wednesday night w’as w ell attended, and on Friday afternoon the Union met at the Coffee Palace, where a most comfortable room, well warmed in winter, is always at the disposal of the Union, the proprietor, Mr Arscott, taking a lively interest in our work. The lengthened absence of Mrs Douglas, their president, is greatly regretted by the members, but as our sister is embracing every opportunity while in Australia of gaining fresh experience in our work we shall doubtless reap the benefit upon her return. Miss Ahier was unanimously elected president during Mrs Douglas’ absence, Mrs Handy retaining the secretaryship, and Mrs H. Goodacre assuming the office of treasurer. On the following Monday we held a meeting for “ all women interested in moral reform,” when, in spite of unpromising weather, the Baptist church was nearly filled. There, as everywhere else, I emphasised the grave need which everywhere exists for social purity w f ork, citing some of the terrible facts which have lately come under my notice in this connection, and trying to impress upon the hearers the evils of dancing and the terrible consequences of the lack of parental control. All seemed interested and eager to set to w’ork. Thus ended my campaign for the time being.