NEW OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 7, Issue 74, 1 July 1901, Page 4

NEW OF THE UNIONS

[fr< rely on our local Unions to send us news for this column. We cannot evolve it out of our inner eoHiriou.wMs.] Feilding. Since our last report our Union has suffered a severe loss in the death of Miss Goodbehere, our much loved and energetic Secretary. She has done good work for many years and will be greatly missed. The Union sent a lovely wreath, tied with the white ribbon. The Band of Hope in future is to be managed by a strong committee representing all the Churches. has been sent to Mrs Schnackenberg for Maori work, and £\ to Wanganui to assist the English Church in the same work. Our Uinon is steadily growing, four new members being enrolled last month Mrs Pickering has been appointed Secretary, and Mrs E. P. Cowles Treasurer. Naseby. An afternoon tea to welcome our new members was held at the Manse. Musical items were given by Mrs Church, and Misses Glenn, Luscombe and McCarthy. A pleasant evening was brought to a close by all present singing “Some Glad Day.” NelsonAt the meeting on June nth, an animated discussion arose as to the need for a series of meetings for the instruction of young women on many subjects, such as “ Purity,” “ Dress,” “ Need of Domestic Training,” etc. It was resolved that the first meeting l>e held in July, two members to prepare papers on “ Purity,” and the meeting to be rendered attractive by a little music, etc, Napier. The meeting on May 23rd was enlivened by the presence of Mrs Sievwright, President of the Women’s Council, who was introduced by Mrs Hill, and welcomed by the President and members. Mrs Sievwright gave an interesting address on “ Women’s Work,” and spoke of Mrs Fry, Miss Nightingale, Miss Weston and several others, whose lives showed what women can do. In the event of the Council meeting in Napier in 1902, Mrs Sievwright’s visit will do good, as it gave her some idea whether it would be desirable. The Union w ould wish it, if only on the selfish grounds of having Mrs Atkinson and Mrs Sheppard amongst them. The

Disabilities Bill was talked over a little and we hope the apathy of a few w*as stirred to at least think more of the necessity of its passing, if we are in earnest for the burdens to be lightened for our sex, Woolston, A splendid meeting was held on April 23rd to say good-bye to our Secretary, Miss Trerise. The President, on behalf of the members, thanked Miss Trerise for the work she had done in connection with the Union, and presented her with a silver teapot, suitably inscribed. Social chat and afternoon tea added to the pleasure of the gathering. Dunedin. We held our annual conversazione in the Choral Hall early in June. Mrs Don, our President, occupied the chair. It had been arranged that the whole programme should be carried out by ladies. The success of the meeting proved the wisdom of this plan. Speeches were given by Mrs Napier and Sister Olive, also songs and instrumental pieces by local talent. Refreshments, served by the ladies, brought a very enjoyable evening to a close. On July 3rd a highly successful “At Home ” was held in the Y.W.C.A. rooms, when Miss Powell gave an interesting account of the origin of the W.C.T, movement in America, and also a graphic description of her visit to the Old Country. Miss Powell’s presence amongst us has stirred us up to more active work, and we rejoice to be able to report, that no less than 20 new f memliers joined our ranks as the result of these two meetings. The presence and able assistance of Mrs Napier, an old and highly esteemed White Ribboner, also tended in no small measure to the success of both meetings. Auckland. The usual meeting was held on June 20th. It was resolved to write to the Town Clerk again re the appointing proper places for stopping of trams and ’buses, also asking if anything had yet been done in the matter of cigarette smoking amongst children. A letter from Miss Maunder was received, re the imparting ot Scientific Temperance Instruction to Bands of Hope, and it was reported that the matter had already been warmly taken up, not only by most of the Bands of Hope but by some of the Sunday schools also, and that it was proposed to hold an examination of

the children at the end of the year. The Committee of the Social to the sailors of the man-of-war during the Dukes visit reported that it had been a success, and that the men had attended to the number of forty, and been greatly pleased with the efforts made to entertain them. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Brame for her efforts and assistance at the Social, and it was decided to buy an invalid chair for the Hospital with the proceeds. It was unanimously resolved to hold a monthly prayer meeting in connection with the Union. Creymouth. The monthly meeting w F as held on the 4th. It was decided that our annual entertainment should take the form of a Lantern Service of Song. A Service of Song called, “ The Mission of the Roses,” was given last week by the L. T. L. Complimentary tickets were sent to the sailors in port, and present expressed their appreciation of the r :tion. Palmerston North. At our last monthly meeting a letter was received from Miss Maunder, urging that Scientific Temperance Instruction be given in Bands of Hope and other Societies. The report of the delegate to Convention was received, and a vote of thanks passed to Mrs Butters for her services. A hearty vote of thanks was also passed to Mr William Munro for having made and placed a box on the Railway Station for literature. A discussion took place as to the advisability of having an evening meeting for members and friends at an early date, and also as to having a booth at the Agricultural Show. Both steps were approved. Eltham. We had a very pleasant meeting on July 3rd. Bible reading in State Schools was discussed and the verdict given in favour, though we fully appreciate the difficulties in the way. We think that e\en from an educational point of view, it is a pity the children are not made acquainted with our greatest literary work. The matter of distributing literature, and also that of relief work were discussed, and we hope to accomplish something in each direction.