NEWS OF THE UNIONS.

White Ribbon, Volume 4, Issue 45, 1 February 1899, Page 2

NEWS OF THE UNIONS.

HV vel y on our /or<i l f juo»h {o tend us netcs for this column. HVcmwnt evolve it out of our inner eontcioutnett. Greymouth. The first meeting for tins year was held on Feb 2. There was a great deal of discussion over th? correspondent rec-ived. Our Presiden signified her intention of being present at Convention. We appointed Mrs Jain *s Taylor, who is at present in Christchurch, as our delegate. Greai pleasure was expressed at tne prospect of a visit from Miss Powell. Although coming on Alliance business, we hope to utilise her for orgmising others Unions. Ihe l>3 its have been visited and papers distributed, and the boxes at the Riilway Station kept supplied with literature. Colyton. Our first meeting for the year was held on Jan. 12. Correspondence was dealt with, and our President, Mrs R. L. Pudney, read a “New Year s Greeting," from the Union Signal. We then devoted the remainder of the meeting to a Bible searching for texts bearing on wine and stiong drink. There was not a very large atten lance, but we had a very pleas tnt and interesting meeting. Auckland. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the annual meeting o! this Union was held. The reports of the Corresponding and Recording Secretaries and 1 reasurer were read and adopted. They were of an encouraging character. i he credit balance was £\ 8s 6J. Reports were received from ihe following Departments : -Juvenile, Bible in Schools, Evangelistic, Social Purity, Maori, and Literature. These showed that a very varied and large amount of work hail been accomplished du'ing the past vear. The election of superintendents for the departmental work was postponed till next meeting. Mrs H. Lee was expected to open her mission with us at the beginning of Febru irv. Rangiora. At our last meeting there was a good attendance, and the new President, Mrs J. Smith, occupied the chair. Mrs T Keir was chosen delegate to represent the Union at the Convention to be held at Kaiapoi. It was decided to

lold a public meeting on the 24th Feb., and to invite a lady from Christ:hurch to give an address on Temperance. Immediately after, the new members will be initiated. Dunedin. The usual meeting was held on Feb. 7th. The President, in a few kindly words welcom'd the strangers present. A most hearty vote of sympathy was passed to Mrs McLaren, widow of the iate lamented Superintendent of Bands of Hope. Papers relating to the misunlerstanding re Lady Henry Somerset were received from England, and copies handed round to the members Mrs Miller was unanimously elected as delegate to the Convention in Kaiapoi. It was proposed an 1 carried almost unanimously that the words “as a beverage’’ should be added to the pledge cards of the Union. Mrs Dick reported that she hid received from U-S.S. Co a letter and cheque for 1 os, proceeds of money received from visitors to their new boat, Mokoia. Miss Nicol was re elected Superintendent of Unfermented Wine Department. Mrs W. IC. Don resigned her appointment as Superintendent of Evangelistic work, as she was leaving Dunedin for some months, and Mrs Kirkland was elected in her place, and also as Superintendent of Bible in Schools Department. Mrs A. S A lams and Mrs Fawcett were elected Superintendents of Band of Hope work, and it was announced that work amongst older children would very shortly betaken up by the Union. Miss Statham was elected Superintendent of Press work. The Secretary was instructed to write for full particulars of the White Ribbon, so as to give the delegate an opportunity of getting the opinion of the members on the matter before she went to the Convention. Wellington. On Thursday, 2nd inst , the Union held its first meeting of the year. Several new members were elected. It was decided to invite Mrs H urison Lee, and a committee was set up to make all arrangements for her visit. We are anticipating excellent results, and a strengthening of our forces for t he year’s work