NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 4, Issue 37, 1 July 1898, Page 2

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

}Ve rely on our local Unions to semi us news for this column. We cannot evolve it out oi our inner eomrioKiiteii.] Devonport. The uncertain nature of the weather caused only a small attendance at the June meeting, but interest was shown in the work by several new-comers, and the conditions of membership were discussed. Letters were read from the Auckland Union promising speakers tor our next quarterly social. A Band of Hope in connection with the Presoytenan Church op**ed this month in a manner which augurs well tor its future success. The Rev. Ferguson gave a humurous and instructive address on the “ Five Senses as Witnesses agaist the Fiend Drink.” We hope some education in Temperance and Hygienic principles may, by means of these meetings, be imparted to the youth of Devonport during the winter months. Leeston. On June 17 a special meeting of our Union was held to hear addresses from Adjutant Morton and Captain Gibbon, S. on the work they were doing in the Rescue and Maternity Homes in Christchurch. A collection was taken up to help so needy a cause. Mrs Arthur, our beloved president, gave parting messages to our members, urging all to work unitedly, and saying how great a help our Union had been to her. Miss Barnett, on behalf of the Union, wished Mrs Arthur and family a very happy and successful future, and repeated the Mizpah blessing.- Wednesday, June 22 : About 100 ladies responded to the invitation of the W.C. T. officers to meet in the Wesleyan schoolroom for a social hour with Sirs Arthur, prior to her departure. Afternoon tea was handed round by members. Musical items were given by Mrs Rich Misses Ewenson, Wills, and Barnett (2) Mrs Hill, V.P., on behalf of the Union, presented Mrs Arthur with a gold W.C.T.U. brooch, and expressed the sorrow felt by all in losing such an able president Mrs Arthur feelingly acknowledged the gift, and “ God be with you ” was sung by all present as a farewell. Colyton. Our monthly meeting was held on J une 9th when there was a good atten(iance. Three new members were enrolled. Our president, Mrs Pudney

who was a delegate to the Palmerston North Convention, gave a brief hut interesting account of the matters dealt with. A lending library has been inaugurated in connection with our branch of the Union, 10 which Mrs Pudney and Mrs Fennell kindly contributed several volumes. Dunedin. The first evening meeting was held at the Sailor’s Rest on the 28th June, and was well attended. The President, Mrs Dick, took the chair, and read a most interesting paper on Miss Willard’s life, giving an account of her childhood, and her great influence for good on those around her after she entered the ranks of the Temperance reformers. Later there was a discussion concerning the need for a Reformatory, and eventually the following resolution was carried unanimously, and the Secretary instructed to send copies to each of the members for Dunedin and suburbs, “ That, in the opinion of this meeting, there is urgent need for a Reformatory, and they respectfully urge you to take steps to bring the matter before the House as speedily as possible; such Reformatory to be subsidised by Government, but to be unuer the control of a Committee appointed by the people themselves. It is intended to take up questions of this kind at all the evening meetings; the next will be devoted to a discussion on the Licensing Bills to be brought before the House, and the question of women sitting on Charitable Aid and other Boards will also be brought up very shortly. The usual monthly meeting was held on the sth inst., Mrs Dick, President, in the chair. A letter was received from the Secretary of the Naseby Union, asking if it were possible for one of the members to visit the Union, or whether the matter of the appointment of an organiser for the South Island was settled yet, as they would gladly welcome anyone who could assist them to open new branches and in other ways extend their usefulness. It was decided to write and ask the Secretary to make the preliminary arrangements, and someone would go up to assist in this most desirable work. Ihe question of missionary work, dealt with in Miss Slack’s letter, was discussed, and the members present were willing to help in the matter by small subscriptions, which will be taken charge of by the Secretary till sufficient is collected to forward.

A letter re the Temple Fund was also read from Mrs Garland, of Auckland. The President urged the members to bring in their subscriptions quickly, so that the money might be forwarded without delay It was decided that a hall should be got as soon as possible for starting another branch of Juvenile work in town. It was unanimously decided that a kindly note of sympathy and condolence should be sent to Mr Falconer on his continued illness It was resolved to hold a special meeting on the 12th inst., to discuss the Bills affecting the Liquor question, which will shortly be dealt with by the House

Naseby. The monthly public meeting for June was well attended. This was the second of the three missionary meetings held yearly. The following members took part: —Mesdames McCosh Smith (in the chair), F. R. Smith, Kirby, and Botting, and Miss McCarthy. From the C.L. Society, Miss Coilorick, and Me. srs Barratt and E. Moore, and Lieutenant Bambery, of the Salvation Army, assisted. A collection was taken up in aid of the social work of the Salvation Army We have succeeded in getting the necessary number of subscribers to the W hite Ribbon. Mrs J. Kiiby has been appointed superin- ! tendent of cottage meetings, and Misses Murray and McCarthy superintendents of the technical classes. These latter have been successfully launched. T urakina. The monthly meeting was held in the vestry of the Presbyterian Church on 7th inst., when one new member was enrolled. A paper was read by Miss Hillary, dealing with card playing, billiards, draughts, etc., her views being that all such amusements were objectionable, more particularly when pressed into the services of the public houses. Young men were often, she thought, allured by such means into the public house, and when there learned to drink. A discussion followed, and Miss Hillary’s views were unanimously adopted by the meeting. The President read extracts from the Union Signal giving an account ot Miss Willard’s last illness. Christchurch. The fortnightly meeting was held on June 22, when there was a large attendance of members. Mrs McKee gave a most interesting address on the “ Physical Education of our Girls,

which was much appreciated. The President, on behalf of tne Union, presented Mrs Ballantyne with a copy of Miss Willard’s “ Happy Half-Cen-tury.” Mrs Ballantyne had been President of the Union for two years—had superintended the coflee-rooms and the tent at the Agricultural Show for many years, and only on account of family duties had resigned these positions of responsibility. The Union wished to acknowledge her valuable services. Mrs Ballantyne responded suitably, after which tea was handed round. At the meeting held on July 13th a resolution was passed in favour of equality of conditions of divorce. A strong protest was passed against the proposition to hold the Licensing elections every six years instead of three, as at present. The amendments to the Young Persons’ Protection Bill, forwarded for endorsement by the Women’s Institute, were passed with one exception, viz : the clause which gave a protection officer the power to take a young person to a police station. An amendment was carried which proposed to take the names and addresses of the parents of such young people and hold them responsible. Port Chalmers Our meetings are keeping up in interest anil numbers, two new members having recently been enrolled, and another subscriber to our paper gained. At our Women’s Tea at the Rest on Ist inst. we hr.d a good attendance, and instead of our usual lady speakers, the Revs Tennant (Presbyterian) and Standage (Wesleyan) and Captain and Mrs Hill (Salvation Army) gave addresses. The Gospel message was also sung by several friends. We have been able to send donations to the Maori Work, to the fund foifOiganiser for S. Island, and also to the Rescue Work of local branch of the Salvation Army. Creymouth. We held our monthly meeting on the 7th. Since our previous gathering we have been able to raise the sum of iis 6d by a Lantern Entertainment, to help on the work among our Maori sisters. We have obtained permission to piace a literature box in our railway station. The boats and Hospital have a’so been visited, and one new subscriber to the White Ribbon gained. It was decided that the L.T L. adjourn till September, on account of the winter storms. During the past month one of our sisters, Mrs Whall, has passed to

the Home of the Faithful. Though otten debarred by ill health from personally meeting with us, she had the work thoroughly at heart.