REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.

White Ribbon, Volume 7, Issue 83, 1 April 1902, Page 6

REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.

RELIEF WORK. p.>ns» nl»y and Wanganui are the only Reports to hand. Wanganui’s Report is slight, but Ponsonby shows active interest. Toe following was received from i s energe ic superintendent, Mrs K*ady:—•• The Rev. W. Kea ly haring kindly lent u* the us** of M. John's schoolroom in which to hold our meetings, the first was held thou on March L'Ktb, 11*>1, and on each succeeding second and fourth W« dnesday in the ni nth. A lis* of known deserving poor was mid**, aud Sister Kenneth, and Mrs J Mitchell were appointed to vi*it and invite them to our afrerucon gatherings. This was done, ♦ he result I e ng such as to »n<ourage the continuance of cur meetings. Parcel* of clothing are received by ary of the members, any repairing n-eded feeing done during the afternoon, whilst either * MisPunqkn * and otl e- literature is bein * read, or, perhaps, pi asant chats re home matters. Towards tne elore, afternoon tea and cakes are handed aicund, which it thiroiighly enjoyed. Atterwardr, the clothing is rold to any who wish to pur< base, for a very small suru. Mo-.t of those pres* nt are only too pleased to avail th. mselves of this opportunity. Our last meeting for this year was a

social (aftorn ion). Dr. Knight very kindly lent his gra( hophone and the item* given caused great pleasure to thoie present. A sitdown tei w. s provided. As ea h woman ditcov. r*d her Xmas b x :n the saucer, as tea cups w. re t nt down the ta*>le, in the form of a 2% pie e, it was good to s -e the happy faces. H.»th tea ard Xmas box were provided by the money piic. in for clothing, and still leaves a fair tutu in the lUrk. We also have a Saving Club, any sum from Id beiug taken, and tanked with the ch thing money; this year, wo have, from the same fund, returjtd it, where nee Jed with 6i in the Is interest.” Agnes Coklett. Superintendent.

PURITY AND RESCUE WORK I sin ectreinely sorry that the It *p >rts rent in to me his year ar* fewer in number than they were last year. Onlys x Unima have even answered my circular, and I conf*»s-i I ain surpn«*dtlat no returns hav** reached m«* from either cf the four large centres,—A ickland, Welling on, Chriot hurcli. or Dunedin. It is surely it these large towns that there is most opportunity and mo«t necessty for both Pre ventive ind Re-cue Work. The six Unions that bare replied to my circular are Ureymouth, Invercargill, Kaiapoi, Napier, Nelson, and Wanganui. Grey-mouth reports that they hare helped the Silvation Army with funds for me work. In vercargill continues to do good work with the Viet* rii Homo for fiiendb*Hs girls, though their presmt premises are small and inconvenient. 1h »y are endeavouring to raise jgl2U> for a new house and lauudrr, but only UIOO has been subscribed at present. Kaiapoi reports a litt’e Pre'ontive Work n the form of addresses to mothers. Napiei nas don*- something by distributing literit ire. Nelson has done a good deal in the way of special meetings with addresses on the su >ject of Purity, t) girls, to mothers only, and al o one tiuien. The Union has also distributed literature. Ido not gather that Wang tnui has dons aujtl ing either in Preventive or Rescue work, but I should like to quote a few sentences the Report. "We cannot he'p feeling that the all-important work s uot Rescue but Prevention, aud how to acoomplish this is the great |uestion. Young girls must Le trained in the knowledge of th ir own bodies, and how to take care of them, behaviour on the streets, the value of chastity, and that th ir I odi-is are temples of the living God ; ani we fear that in many cases those who should be looked to, to give such mstru tion—namely, the mothers—are negle tful of this important duty." 1 heartily concur in these remarks, but nt the same time tuey only point out half our duty We must Iry to reach the ineu and boys also, if we hope to tec* much result from our work. Maria Wirb. Superintendent.

MOTHERS’ MEETINGS. I beg to enclose brief Report of my Department. Through delicate health, and home dutier, 1 was unable to g*t my circulir posted as ecrly as 1 int* nded About thirty Unions were tent to, but being late in the year, 1 think, accounls for so few replies (eight), one Uni* n (Blenheim) reporting actual work. The Superintendent (Mrs Brewer) writes

very cheerily, and says, '* Thirty weekly me*t ings have been held, but owing t> family atfl otion, were discontinued, n* n * onv cml 1 I* found t> take up the work,” she hopes, how. ever, to l>egin again thii year. Tne meetings tr*» well Attended, «.n l a growing interest taken iq them. Literature is circulate I, many being anxious for the weekly hock-tor paper*, ad even husbands finding interest in read ng these to the home eire'e. Hoping to do better next year. Caboi.ini Gaskin, superintendent.

INFLUENCING THE PRESS. In the unfortunate illness ot the Sup ticsuperintendent of this Department. I hitvetakrn it upon myself to collate th 9 Rejort, to far at material has been available. Dunedin, Nate by, and Wellington have an account of all their meetings inserted in the daily papers, and Kaiapoi, New P/mouth and her auxiliaries, and Colyfon repoit sp * ial <'r public meeting*. Dunedin and Kaiapoi have published letters on Drink and the ( ntingeuts. Sunday trading, and kindrd g,;bj*cts. No local report has been sent fr« m Christchurch, but it has organized the spl.-u----did effort Df the whole Canterbury Union, by which funds have been collected to buys weekly column in the “ Lyttelton Turns ” for the whole of this year. I understand a very large share of the work of collecting ha-i I«**u done by Miss Roberts, one of our most fa thful and ene-getic workers.

1 have now and then been successful iu having extracts from Miss Slack's Bulletin inserted in some of the *ountry papers. L M At kinsow,for Men Cole, Superintendent.

MISSIONARY WORK. In presenting the Report on Missionary \N >rk, I tiud that the various branches which have replied to my circular are interested, but not doing any special work. I communicated with all tbo Unions and have only had replies from ten, with the following results : Wahabi write*, “ We are already doing all we can at our weekly pruyer me-t ny, and Sew ing Pee, also financially. " Onehunga asks for mole information. They have not taken up the work at all but help in tonne*tion wi*h tie r own churches New Plymouth ; No Missionary work ai d have undertaken many Departments with few workers, and are rather afraid *f taki g more. *

Naneiit holds a Missionary meeting oc*a* sionally, m( st *>f ineuP ers being d in musion work *n .c »nnection with their own churches. NV oolhtom : i ui * uion is jn full sympati y but works in this d reel ion witL the differ* ..t churches. Nelson : No separate work lu», like the lust two, works aith the church. VVinton : Most of the members are ctn* nected with the Christian Endeavour Society, and they take up Mission work. At Sanson they hold a quaiterly prayvr meeting, for which the members iupply interesting articles on Mission work, both Home ani Foreign. Lyttelton : A Mirsionary meeling i« h* Id once a quarter, wheu either an addrets is give* or paper read on Mission work, also a number

of the members work iu connection with Severn’ Missionary Societies. In Wamoamui a Missionary meeting waa held, when Mias Fraser, a returned missionary from China, gave an ad dr* at. A collection wa* t»k n, and given to the mission that she re* pr - '-nted. It will be seen from the Heports that moat of tie Unions woik in comection with their own churches, und that we do not seem to d) very much a 9 a Union. A better way would be if ti e Unions a* ole could he p rome ► peiial missions ard *ll'he Unit na contrit ute towarda it, or, p rha{ a t his is a better way—make the M *ori Mission our special wirk. S. A. Coe:; it, Superintendent.

SAILORS’BESTS. It is with much pleasure I have to report that txotHent work ia leing done K thia Depar 1 m« nt. Out of fourteen Uniors who were written to I 1 ave hud replies from eight. . liunedin tukesfirst place,apler Jid work isbeid/ dote there. The Sailois* Mistion is Under the Management of Mr Fa’couer. Gospel on dings are held twice a we k, when earnest ad<lrtasee arc given by obi era of vatioua <Jen< in mat ions. Mr Falconer visits t-very v»s- .*;! that cornea into hail»oir. Iheacanienari inv.ted to wake rue of tue “ Rest.” Station* ery is provided free. Daily local, ar.d Home illustrated p»p rs, u a 'axir.es, und l>o<'ks of all kinds are always on t’ e tablef. Ajart from Lund ea of reading matter, Mr Falconer distributes tl.omands of Gobi el tra ts und books, atso Riblea und lea'uments 10 vatious languages, duiii g tLe year. Two hards n o fluffs have been j r< aented to the “ Rest.' ore from the W. C. T. L\, the other bought with money collected by Mis Hdi.m rman. The Dcntdin " Rest ia under th*‘ management of the W. C. T. U. Timaiu cornea next. The Uniin ia doing Ifo d work. I receive i a very cheering Report irom the Secretary. Mr ard Mra Stead manage the ‘ R*st ” under the W. C- T. U. 1 hey aie very zealous ia the work, aud apart* no ja na io make it a real honte for teamen. A short service ia held on Sunday evenings. Lit* atuie if supplied to evtry vessel leaving the port. Funds are raised by subscriptions, and a concert whi< h is held unni ally, and *.xb been moat successful. There is a “ Rest ”at the bluff, t is doing good work, and ia carried on on similar lines ti that ht Timaru. It is not under Union management, but the W. C. T. U. sen 1 literatuit* and are willing to help when need d. 1 he Invercargi.l Union has hilpcd the Bluff “ h' st/' l y raising funds aad sending literatim*

'] he Secretary of the Auckland Union writes that they art* not working unnng the fuihrs, hut . ood work is being done by the L ei tial Mi :i*n and others, and th‘*y hops to do someth.i g themsi lvia before very long. I leceivtd a courteous reply fr» m the Socretvr, of the New Rlymouth Unbn. There is not u Sailor's “ R *,t ” there at present. . • S« rotary * t the Wellin ton Union it -i that th-y at' not working am n r ft* va 1* r* now, as Rial op Wallis brought out a M ioner for the he is a capable man, an I devotes his whole time to the work. The W. C. T. U intended to < ffer an entertainniti.tand refreshments, and hoped to secure pledges. There ia a“ Rest,” which I think is

kept going by the Harbour Roard, or assisted by them. ThoStaimn'a "Rest,” Lyttelton, is doing go d work, it ladongs to ihe Harbour Roard, but a couiiuit’ee consisting of five u.embeis of th* t nion, nominated by the R<>ard, have the p’lvilegeof visiting the “ Rest." It ia Opel ed ca Sundav evevings from e ght to nine o clock, .S.uikey’s bymna are sung, and a shoit addreca is given l*y the ministers < f thedifie.ent dencmiuHtiona in turn. The W.C. 1’ U. nipplies lit* riture, aadiakis ageneial in ere»t in the wu-k. Awn Elizabeth Whitbt, Superintendent

JUVENILE WORK AND MEDAL CONTESTS.

The duty I have undertaken in this Department has be* n but very impel feet ly done, seeing my tira atten’ion has Icon given to the Treasury. It ia much to l*e regretted that Mrs Sjence, of Mart on (and now of Blenheim), had to give up thia Rrancb, as during tLe time she was in charge the work was excellent ly inanag- d. Ranoioua *otb to have been most busy in Juvenile Work, judg ng ficm tl e full and clear Report Mrs Doull baa sent uie. There are two fields arranged h* re for jcung people. One a Juvenile Temple, managed by Mrs Keir. who ia aW. C. T. IT. mo:uber of 20 years’ standing, and this Temple has 40 members The second field of work in Rvngiora is a Rand of Hope ; a chaige of or e penny is made for membership, whi h covers all eipeES s, at* shown by the yearly R*port. Ihe woik h»rila well disciplined and satisfactory, ard arrangemeiits are now being male for st 11 fuither progressive instruction. C’ohukn. liatYMotTH : A Y*ung Peop’ea’ Willard Society is conducted here, au 1 «h* w» good piogrei>ive work, though many ditticul ties 1 avt* to le contended with. Ihe meetings nre held fortnightly, and there is a mem berahip of 40. Fiildihg: ▲ Band of Hope is reported at havirg a niemtierfliip of 324 on the roll. Gkxtmoi th has an L. T. L of memburs.

liLUvr has a Rand of Hope. Tai’ANLM also has a Rind of Hop*, 1 living, 70 mem beta. I sincerely htpe that another jear, a fuller and larger account will be uiven of ti.ia moat imjortnnt Rra: ch <>t W. C. T. V. work. Fmily Hill, Superintendent.

narco: iCk

As Suierittecd* nt of the Department of Narco ica, I wrote to each l umn an*l tucloced samples of literatiuo oi the sut jeot c t smoking among young people. Fifteen r* pli a w, re received, hut only some five report hiving the work in haud. Still wt* l ope that good will be the result, and wo have the promise that good set d sown sill be reaped, ev*u after many da)s. Jf the remaining forty-or e l uiens which h ive not iepl id can take up this branch cf work this y*ar 1 shall b* mist happy to render ai y aid in my power or to put th« m in touch with Unions already workiug. C. E. Kibk, Superintendent, Wellington.

UNFKRMKNTEI) WINE. This is n Department of our work that, owing to then iture of it, cannot make rapid strides. Thought has to be awikened on the qu stion amt n/ those who aeem to be satisfied wit i things as they are. “ And of all people thei-ear** the hardest to arrest,’’ as a public teacher and preacher assured me, “ it is so hard tnuake people think for themselves.” I have distributed literature during this and last vtar, chiefly to the Anglican clergy. I also wrote tv the Dtociaan Synod asking them to seriously consider the t|uestion. Received very polite reply that my letter wai rcceivid, that is ull. I also wrote to IT» sbyteriau Assembly, in Dunedin. Five dozen copies of October. 1901, issue of Whiti Ribion puper have chiefly to Anglican clergymen, hoping thereby “to kill two birds with ore stone," to draw their attention to article therein, and let them know we have *uch a valuable paper. I have not itctived any Report from Unions, uot having made a jieraonul appeal. So few U> ions take up this D* partin »ut of work. I should be ex eedingly glad if suggestions for the better working of this Department could be given while the wisdom of our Unions is together in Convention. S. A. I’ll m m kk, Suj ermtend* nt.

EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS. Immediately after the last Convention I dr* w up a cireu’ar, which was copied on the mimeograph and pc sUd to every Union in the colony, with the exception of a very few in the South which I expected to visir, when I intend** 1 personally urging the claims of this Department. To these circulars, stven replies were received. Reing unal le to appeal direct the seci ud time, I did so through the White Ribbon, but only two or three Unions responded, which leads me seriously to enquire wh-ther our workers subscribe to and read their <*<vn organ.

Fr in local Repotts which h ive come to me as New Zealand Corresponding Secretary, I have, however. Ik*- n able to glfan a little more information. I will place Woodend first, as the Secretary writes that regular Educational meetings have been held ever since the formatinofth'i Rranch. Kaiapoi has also held tb* m r-gularly, addresses Having been delivered by sevi ril ladies and gentlemen and a paper real by Mrs Mark well Naseby has in Id five, at wiihh original papers have teen read and dif cussed. Dunedin has had such an accumulation of b-.sinevs to get through that both mett'iiga in the month have been absorbed by it. The same may •*) said of Christchurch, which has now, however cleared up arrears and made arrangement* for an Elm ational afternoon in the shape of a Sci- ntific Temperance lesson illustrated with /harts and eip riments. Ne'son has held Educational meetings for girls in the evening, nn example which I hope will be epweiilv followed by other Unions, for no work will pay better than that of training up young women to take up **ur arms as our weury hands lay th**m down for ever. Wanganui has done a little and hopes (o do more. Gre)in< uth has held one, while Okiawa, Masterton. Gisliorne, and Col) t n u ake their monthly ousiness meetings largely Educational, the twj latter enlivening the proceedings by members giving original contributions.*. Among the young

folkp the CoMen Y. P. C. T. U. and the Kaia poi Y. P. N» Lioen*e Guild ore doing a grand work in educating their members. It would he well if more Union* could thus organise their young men a’id women. I the uld like hi re to emt hsfi/.e the impor tnnee of this I>e| artment. Many woinin, upon first at** nding our business meetings, feel somewhat hored an ! think th- m very uninterest nir, On the other hnnd, an Edncationnl meet ng, skilfully led, so tha' m st, if not all of the m< nil evs are drawn into tl e discussion, cannot fail tc be interesting to any earnest woman. If earh member would bring an outsider to farh Educational meeting, a large Increase in member-hip would result. Just now the varied aspects of the nppr. aching eleeticn will furni-h a number of interesting topics. Then the van us Departments may be taken np in turn and work, hitherto undreamed of, will te found to he wi'hn rearh and ea-ily managed when ore members are interested. Any Union which "illapjoint a superintendent and really w rk the Department will he io convinced of its utili'y that it will not lightly l*e allowed to drop. Yours for an educated swterluxd, M S. Powill, Superintendent.

MAORI MISSIONS. Mrs Foley, the Secretary for Maori Missions, went to Rotorua during t' e visit, of the Puke an 1 Duclm -s of Cornwall and York, returning to her hon e r ear the Thames. Since th*n she has spent meat of her time in tie Hot >rua district, but owing to the serious illness of h*»r daughter, ha* not )>ecn able to hold as nnny me tingsL.r Maori w men as she wished to do. She reports many d» aths among them and regrets to add,* less interest in toe work,’ so that it has not 1». h i pwslble for her to reorganis** the lapt-cd Unions. Mrs Foley has not sent any names of officers I had the honour of representing the New Zealand Union at the c remony of laying th» foundation stone of the Maori girl* school, anc of presenting your contribution to tie same. Lyttelton reports that the visits of member* of the Union to Ripaki have h»en much apprfciattd and lorne g.<d fruit since 1892 when the first pledges w» re sigr.ei by Maoris In February of that yiar 16 penens si*ne*i the aV st in once pledge. Mas Roberts gave ar nddr ss i arly in March this year, and at tin c'ose asked if any would like to sign the pledge. There wa« no re*p >nse She ther asked all who had n'ready signed to s'and up whin all mee fre m their seat*. Other grati fyingpiirn -rein evidence. A hoy dn (2 guts recently, and instead of the Maori “ Tiugi," n quiet funeral was held. Liteiature is distri huted of a kind to int**re► t both old and yourg •The balaroe Sheet is us follows R ceiptfur 191)1 : Feilding Union, £S 10* ; hew a land Tr« amier, li s ; Nasel y Ut ion, 5s ; Tota i 4 6s. Exp nditvre Cash t> M.s Fo’ey, Al ; ditto t< r KoUri s, A 4 ; Telegrams ane postage, IDs ; Total, jUS lOj. 1 may add tl ai airs Foley’s expenses during the Royal visit were Aid, s u that the Kurd s ill owes her A2. A. J. £chmackknßine, Superintendent.

SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE INSTKCCTION REPORT. Although y» ur Superintendent in the above Department cannot show much progiess made, yet I hoje some inti reat in the subject has been aroused Just after C-*nvenl ion last year, ev« ry Union was written to, urging the memb*rs to take step* to get the subject introduced a* temperance meetings and recommending suitable I coks (unfortunately, some of th*se could not be oltainei). Twelve leplies have been received, six of them reporting that instruction is given ; others inquired further information. Dunedin gave no particulars, Auckland reports the subject systematically taught under the auspices of the S. S. Union, Naseby, under the C. C. T. S., Sanson, at the L. T. L. ; Ha«era at the Presbyterian Rand cf Hope ; Okaiawa at the Temperance Society, which was thought mi re suitable than the L. T. L., which for a yiar or two was carried on. Toko reports regular insti net ion, the children showing greit interest; Nelson does not quite omit it ; New Plymouth last year was v‘-rv vigorous with examiuatioi s, but was not sufficiently encouraged to try another year. Christchurch has made some effoits in the desired direct i« n. and some object less ns were given. 1 fear there is a little dissatisfaction on the part of thfse accustomed to (what I may call for want of a better te m) little sentimental addresses, but this need not be, only make them short* r and give the scientific teacher a chance also. J. E. Maundbk, Superintendent.

LITERATURE. I have great pleasure in bringing before you the annual Rep>rt of the woik done in this Department, which is admitted to lie one of the most important in our numerous divisions of work. During the year the work has gone on steadily and constantly, although smaller quantities have been purchased by thn Unions thau in the previous year, ar.d some who were supplied last y* ar have not ordered any. This may be due to the fact that 1 have not been able to communicate w ith the Unions this year, because the money voted at Convention for correspondence was nut available. Also, that our List of Literature for sab tias not !>een k-pt i i the White Ribbon paper. This" List ” was very helpful to friends rn selecting their supplies, and 1 should like this to have consideration by the Convention this year. Literature has been forwarded to Unions or friends in the follow ing districts :—Wellington, Cnristchurch, Gore, Miihurst, Ocean Reach, New Plymouth, Okaiawa Uieymouth, Ashburton, Naseby, Petone, Kaiapoi, Southland, Foil ling, Win on, Inv. rcargill, Napier, Auckland, Ouehunga, Devmport, Blenheim, Hokitika. Dunedin, Tapanui Huntly. I’anuevirke, Umutoaro, Waitekauri; als >to t inference workers in Rand of Hope, and other org mirations. A number of copies of the Rand of Hope “ Prim** Reciter ” are received mi n hly and forwarded to subscribers, chiefly secretaries of Societies, thus supplying g* od and fiilpful material for work among the young. The Auckland Union reports :—'The box in the railway station has b< en regularly supplied, and the literature apparently appreciated. L uiietb distributed ut Agricultural

Show. A copy of the White Ribbon paper placed monthly on the * Ladies’ ” table in the Free Library, also a supply of liook* purch: -d for distribution in the Hospital and Old People’* Horn *, and a good supply of leaflets for free distribution secured The Wanganui Union reports that the box in the railway station has lieen supplied with literature, supplits for the same hav. ingh.cn contributed by various members of the Union. Lyttelton Uni- n report* : —Tracts hate been given to seamen attending the ** hailor s’Rest ” on Sunday evening, also jar.elg of tracts and illustrated papers have b«cn supplied to vessels leaving tLe Poit. r lhe Union has subscribed A 5 towards a Temperance Column in one (f the local newspapers. The “ Union Signal ”is taken. lam sure we may all join in hearty congratulations on the newspaper achievement. They hope to do more in dhtri' uting literature previous to the election. I trust that every Union will make sp. rial this year to bring light and knowledge to hear on the Liquor Question, and the I.oal ( ption Poll, and s > help on the good cause which we all have so much at heart. The stock of literature now on hand in in value quite half is never asked for, it having le.n handed to me at th* time I took over the w.uk, so that the money is in a manner locked up. Last year I sent Al worth of literature to Convention, being samples of stock. For this I hue only received Is fid for Constitutions. The Bslance She t for the year is as follows February 22, 19<>2, To Women’s Temperance Pub. Association, A2 3s fid ; Mrs H. Let ’s Rooks, Al lfis 8d ; Rand if Hope Union, 5d ; U. K. Alliance, Al 2s ; Mrs Pumpkin Scr es 15s ; Wilson and Horton, 10t fid ; S. S. Union, fig ;P. O. oidcrs, postage, etc, Al 4s ©id ; Total, AS Ns lid ; Ralance in band. Ai 17a lid ; Grand Total, Aid 5s 3d. February 13th, 1901, By Balance, £4 8s 8i ; February 19th 1902, Cash received by sale :>f literature, AN 16e 7d ; Total Al 3 5s 3d. H G. Hughes, Superintendent

LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY In response to a Manifesto from the Legal and Parliamentary Department, a large niiml>er of our branches petitioned the Speakers of both Ileuses and the Premier to repeal the C.I). Acts. The petitions were acknowledged by the Parliamentary Petitions Committee, but the report of the Committee, i.e., “ No recommendation to make,” was discouraging. At the suggestion of the Lyttelton Union, your Superintendent wrote to Mr Lauren* a. M H R. for Lyttelton, asking him if he would introduce a Hill at the following session *o Repeal the C.D. Acts. His reply express'd sympathy with the attitude of the Union, and contained a promise to introduce a Repeal Bill. This was read a first time in September. f l he wording was as follow*:—“The Contagious Diseases Act of lHfi9 is hereby repealed.” Unfortunately it was dropped, with other much-needed measures of reform. Several of our branches also sent resolutions and betitions to the Premier protesting against the proposed alterations in the Liquor

Laws. It is a matter for congratulation that these alterations have not Wen made. In connection with the Disabilities Petition, forms have been received from Rotorua, Hawora, Marton, Christchurch, Lyttelton, Blenheim. Greymoufch, Okaiawa, Thames, Xasehy, and Winton. The Departin«‘nt now advises that an effort be made to get as many signatures as possible before June, and that instead of forwarding them to your Superintendent, as was at first arranged, each Union should send its own petition direct to the M.H.R. for the district, as soon as Parliament opens, w ith a request that he will present it at the first opportunity. This course will demonstrate the fact that the desire by the women themselves for the removal of their disabilities is widespread. The forms already received by your Superintendent will l>e returned to their respective Unions, so that this method may 1k» used by all the branches. It is a matter for regret that the Juvenile Smoking Repression Hill, introduced by Mr. Field, and the Youths' Smoking Prevention Hill, introduced by Colonel Pitt, were both shelved, for undoubtedly cigarette - smoking is alarmingly prevalent among boys. Mr Barclay’s Hill proposing a Half-Holiday for Servants had also to l*> abandoned The Elective Executive, the Referendum, and the Absolute Majority Hill wen* all dropped. The Opium Prohibition Bill, introduced by Mr. Seddon, is one of the few necessary enactments which were successfully passed through both Houses K. W, Sheppard, Superintendent.