NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 5, Issue 59, 1 May 1900, Page 11

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

rely on our looil Unions to send us news for this column. lIV cannot evolve it out of our inner consciousness. '

Nelson. The monthly meeting was held on April 10th. A short address of en couragement to workers was given by Kev. j Crump, who also recommended the reading of Kev. T. J. Wills book, l'he Secretary was requested to write Kev F. Isitt enquiring if any action would be taken respecting the meeting of J hewers and Licensed \ ictuallers in Wellington who decided to request the Premier to grant the taking of Local Option Poll every nine years. Dissatisfaction was also expressed at the local newspaper’s police report of the state of the Public Houses. A parcel of literature was sent for distribution to the V olunteer encampment in Richmond. Wellington. The anniversary of the opening of our Newtown Girl’s Association room took place on 23rd of April, and was very successful. A Concert and Fruit banquet were much enjoyed, the girls taking part in the proceedings with much interest. The Newtown Committee anti the Pnion have arranged to secure a piano for the room. We feel sure friends will help us provide the means to pay for it, small subscriptions from large numbers being all that is needed. One new member was proposed. The New Zealand Alliance has asked the Pnion to assist at its Convention on 24 inst, by providing lunch and tea, and a preliminary meeting war held to make arrangements.

Naseby. This Pnion met for business on April 25th. It was agreed to revert to the annual subscription of 2s 6d, and to meet monthly. The Petition re Temperance Instruction in Public Schools is being numerously signed. The Pnic.. still keeps in touch with the Temperance Society at Hlackstone Hill. Some weeks ago our Secretary visited tire Society and gave a No License address. Hamilton. At our meeting held on April 10th we had the pleasure of a visit from Miss Maunder, of Hawera, who gave an instructive address. Her advice to keep Teinpeiance literature in the railway stations will be acted upon at once. Miss Maunder and our Secretary, Mrs T. Maunder, while spending a holiday at Raglan, held a meeting and enrolled three new members for our Pnion. Another day they took a two hours’ drive to Te Mata and held a meeting in a friend’s house. They could not manage to form a Union in either place, but some of the ladies have promised to try and form a Hand of Hope, also to distribute literature, which is to be sent by our Pnion. Pungarehu. Our District President, Mrs Allan Douglas, of New Plymouth, has paid us a visit. Public meetings were held at Rahotu, in the Wesleyan Church, on April 9th, and at Pungarehu on April 16th. On each occasion, Kev J. H. White, (Wesleyan) took the chair, while the meetings were addressed by Mrs Douglas. The local president and others also took part, and musical items were rendered by Misses Douglas and Tregurtha and Messrs H. T. White and Puketapu, the latter singing in his

own language, and also giving a telling temperance address through an interpreter. Nine pledges were taken and collections made on behalf of the W.C.T.U. work. A drawing room meeting which had been arranged for Tuesday afternoon, had unfortunately to be relinquished owing to a steady downpour of Taranaki rain. Mrs Douglas visited a number of the mem - bers ot the Union in the district, and her visit will long be remembered with pleasure by her friends here. Feilding. Through ill-health our President, Miss Minchin, has not been with us for some time, but we hope a change of air will soon restore her. Our members are busy making a Hand of Hope banner, upon which suitable Hiblical texts are being worked. Copies of the Petition relating to Scientific Temper ance Instruction are being freely circulated and signed.