NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 10, Issue 115, 15 February 1905, Page 2

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

- ► • 4* ►- IP* rely on our local Un\on> to send us new> tor this column. We cannot evolve %t out a our inner comctou«ne«< ] Christchurch At the annual meeting held in Decern tier a letter was read from the Trades and Labour Council calling the attention of the Union to a meeting convened to urge that Hoards of Appeal be appointed in connection with Asylums and industrial bclk>ols. Miss Rolierts and Mrs Wicks wereapj>ointed to attend the meeting The Treasurer’s report showed a substantial credit balance with which to carry on the year’s work. The Secretary’s report was read, also very encouraging reports from Ashburton and VVillowby. Mrs Cole was appointed President, Mrs Wicks, Recording Secretary; Miss W. W. Smith, Corresponding Secretary, and Mrs Seed, Treasurer.

The tirst meeting for this year was held on January 25th. Mrs Field, Mrs Wallace and Miss Roberts were appointed to represent Christchurch at the Convention in March. A vote of sympathy with Mr Murphy, chairman of the A. A P. Association, on his recent illness,

was passed. The sum of XlO was voted towards th a Alliance expenses, also Xo towards the Children’s Aid Society. It was reported that a cottage home had l**en established in Christchurch in connection w ith the Children’s Aid Society. Regret w as expressed that the petitions praying for Scientific Temperance Instruction in our schools had not been taken notice of during the Parliamentary session, and it was resolved to urge the meml>ers of our Unions to ask candidates for Parliament if they will see that the matter is brought forward, and also if they are in favour of the subject lieing taught in the schools. Lower Hutt. We were very pleased to welcome Miss Powell on Dec. fith. Mrs Brooker was elected President, Mias Jenness re-elected Secretary, and M rs Roiitly Treasurer. Curing Miss Powell’s stay here she gave a very interesting lecture on Temperance. Just at present our attention is lieing taken up by the removal of a small hall we have purchased, but which was not in a position to l>e of much use. We have had it removed to a more suitable site and hoj»e very soon to have it renovated, as we feel it will be letter for our meetings than any church schoolroom During the past year we decided to start a Cradle Roll in connection with our Union and also to put up a box for literature at our railway station. Kaiapoi. The anniversary meeting of this Union was held on Feb. Ist when there was a splendid attendance of meml»ers and friends. Mrs Hlackwell presided and introduced Mrs N wton, who gave a very interesting account of her travels. Rev. 11 Hellhouse also gave a short address, urging upon all workers the importance of prayer. The Secretary and Treasuer read their annual reports and Mrs Kvans gave an encouraging rejiort of the progiess of the coffee rooms. Technical classes had U*en held in the rooms during w inter and we are hoping that they will be continued again through the next winter. Airangements were made for the

Teinj**rance convention to Ikj held on Keh. 9th. Mrs Soulby and Mrs Murgatroyd were elect'd delegates to Convention. Tiro new members were added to the roll. A musical item and tlie serving of refreshments concluded the programme. Napier The annual meeting was held on .Jan. 12. Mrs Oldham, acting President, in the chair. The reports of the Secretary and Treasurer were read and adopted, both being of a satisfactory nature It was decided to take up fresh work in the way of holding a monthly Wednesday afternoon meeting for young people. The election of officers resulted as follows : —President, Mrs Oldham; Vice Presidents, Mesdames Miller, Sandilands and Wilkie ; Secretary, Mrs Israel (re-elected); Treasurer, Mrs Saunders (re-elected) ; superintendent of literature, Mrs Mens ; White Kihbon agent, Mrs Freeman ; Sabbath observance Mrs Troy; superintendent of purity work, Mrs Oldham ; superintendent of mothers’and home meetings, Mrs Wilkie. The Kev. P. Shiner delivered an address, and ajtologies for non-attendance were read from Dean Hovell and Kev. E. 0. Blamires. WillowbyOur first meeting for the New Year was held Jan sth. After the usual business Mrs Oldhams interesting and instructive paper on “ Cold Water ” w as read and much appreciated. On the following Friday a soci o) held in the Winslow schoolroom to terminate the Band of Hope meetings, for the harvest season. These meetings are held monthly, under the auspices of our Union. The chair was taken by the President, Mrs J. Williams. A very interesting and instructive programme was submitted, including an address by Kev. buv on Temperance. At the close a very enjoyable coffee supper was partaken of. Two young people signed the Temperance pledge. Creymouth. The officers elect'd at our annual meeting were Vice-Presidents, Mesdames Harris and Mason ; Treasurer, Mrs Sweetnian ; Secretary, Mrs Hansen The election of President was deferred ow ing to the regret ted absence, through ill-health, of the present President, Mrs (iaskin. The delegates appointed to attend Convention were Mesdames Hansen and s 'veetman. Mr Nichols gave a much appreciated address. Dunedin. The ojiening lueeting for the year was a pjH-cml one and was field in the large hall of the Y.VV.C.A. on Feb. 7th. Miss Lucy Kroad, of the 8.W.T.A., gave a graphic description of W.C.T.U work in South Africa At the close of the meeting the President extended a cordial welcome to Mrs Blair, of Tasmania, and Miss Moody Bell. A fuller accouot of Miss Broad's address appears elsewhere in our columns.— Ed. j Petone. Our annual meeting was held in December, when the following officers were elected : President, Mrs Jackson ; Acting President, M p, House ; Secretary, Mrs Me Ewen ; Assistant Secretary, Mrs Corner ; White Kibbon agent, Mrs Austin ; Treasurer, Mrs Howe ; Correspondent, Mrs Battersley. The Secretary

read a very satisfactory repo r t of the year’s work, after which we had an address from Miss Powell on the origin of our Union. Several new members have joined our Union as the r»*sult of hearing Miss Powell. Wellington. Our Union held its first imnjting for this year on Feb. 2nd, Mrs Chappie, our new Presi dent, presiding. After the usual routine business superintendents of departments were eleeb-d. Mrs Chappie and Miss Kelly were appoin ed delegates to represent us at Wanganui. Mrs Boxall gave a short account of the work in the Oirls’ Association rooms and urged the necessity of the subject of “ Purity ” being brought more before the young people. It was decided to hold drawing-room meetings fort nightly. Invercargill. There was a good attendance at our first meeting for the New Year, held on Feb. 7th. The railway station atipply of literature was arranged for, one member undertaking to attend to it for some months ahead. A committee was formed to assist the United Tempo 1 ance Reform Council to arrange for a social for all temperance workers. A Iso a committee of four members to confer with the U.T.K. Council re welcome to Father Hays, who is exacted here in April. It is probable that two of our meml»ers may be able to attend Convention. A talk about the desecration of the Sabbath followed and it v i «-timed a Disable to ask Convention to approach the Minister of Defence upon the way Sabbath is kept in volunteer encampments. This leing “ pay day a number of subscriptions were received and one new member was initiated. Masterton. At the meeting held on Feb. 7th, the Secretary’s report was read, showing that good work had l>een done during the year. The Treasurer’s rej*ort was equally satisfactory. I The sum of Jib has l>een sent to the fund for the Newtown appeal case. Officers for the year were elected as follows : —President, Mrs Burton ; Vice-Presidents, Mesdames Warner and Murray; Treasurer. Mrs Morrison ; Secretary, Mrs L. Devonport; White Kihbon agent, Mrs Kigg The President was appointed delegate to the Convention. Three neiv members were added to the roll. LevinAt our first meeting after the recess Mrs Finlayson gave an interesting account of a visit paid by Mrs Ostler and herself to the Maori pah. The Maoris had listened attentively and were evidently interested in the pictures and literature received, hut many more sucli visits would l>e required, with |>erhaps some practical help in promoting that which is “ next to godliness ” before they could hope to see permanent results. The Band of Hope was reported as still progressing satisfactorily. It was resolved to show our interest in the coming school committee election by attending the meeting, and in the event of no woman accepting nomination we could record our votes for good men. It was also decided to endeavour to co-operate w ith the other workers in the district in preparation for a “ No-license ” campaign in the electorate. In order to obtain a “ fighting fund ’ it was resolved to hold a garden party, Mrs Ostler having kindly offered the use of her grounds.