ABSTRACTS OF THE Annual Reports of the District and Local Unions

White Ribbon, Volume 10, Issue 120, 15 May 1905, Page 3

ABSTRACTS OF THE Annual Reports of the District and Local Unions

Presented to Convention. March, Hm>'> AUCKLAND In April a deputation was sent to a council in connection with the Peace and Arbitration S<*ciety, and a public meeting, in which we assisted, was the outcome. Many resolutions and letters have l**en forwarded to the Premier and Auckland M H.K’s. Visits have l»een paid to the Onehunga, I>evonp< rt, Ponsonby and Otahuhu Auxiliaries. Two addresses have been given by l>r Caro, of the N Z. Health Association. The Bible in Schools, Literature, Peace and Arbitration, and Legal and Parliamentary, departments have been worked by sujorintendents The Anti* gambling, Educational and Hygiene have all l>een under our notice and addresses have bean given at Bands of Hope.

Hamilton has distributed a quantity of literature. Four prayer-meetings have been held in homes when* the mothers were rarely able to attend church service. These commenced at 3 p.m. and lasted just one hour, large numbers attending. A paper or a little straight talk w-as given, several prayers, and i portion of scripture read, all intersjieised with bright singing. Four drawing-room meetings have also lieen helpful The Union is uniting with other Temperance Societies and hopes to do better work this year than ever liefore. *

Waihi is working at the distribution of literature and assisting the Band of Hope Cambridge.— Good work is still going on with the Band of Hope, which is held every month. The President, Mrs Venables, takes a very active part in getting up the im*etings. The Union is going along steadily hut only few attend as members live so far away. Devonport Meetings have been held regularly every month. There has been an increase of uietnl>ert»hip. Ten shillings was sent for the Newtown ami Bruce appeal case, also ten shillings to the White Kihbon. Onkhi noa —Meetings have lieen held regularly, a great deal of literature on Temperance, Purity, and Narcotics has lieen distributed. The town has been divided into districts, and visitors appointed for each. Collecting for the “Victory’’ fund is still carried on. Resolutions on various subjects have been sent to the Premier and M H K.

Ponsonby. —ln the beginning of the year it was decided to hold meetings fortnightly instead of monthly. Mothers’ meetings have been held with great success, some mothers have become members, others are taking a great interest in all questions brought before them. The meetings are bright and cheerful ; the distressed have been visited and assisted with clothing Articles of clothing have been sold at a nominal figure. A !iiat**rnity bag is also kept well furnished. A lending library has just been started, members contributing liooks. Otahthu. This Union has only l*een opened a year, and it has lieen a year not so much of work as of preparation for the lfiOo campaign. There has lieen house to house visitation, getting names of voters and coming voters, preparing the way fur a thorough purging of the roll. Miss Hughes gave some stirring advice at the annual meeting, and six new memtiers were initiated. Several petitions have lieen sent out asking that Scientific Temperance Teaching Ik* given in the public schools, and we found the people unanimous on the matter, for the sake of saving the boys.

NEW PLYMOUTH. Our meetings have lieen largely educational, a sjiecial one acknowledged to have lieen the liest we have held—having lK*en called to discuss papers sent by the sujK*rintendents of Purity and Hygiene The circulating pajiers have also been greatly appreciated. The Temperance stall at the Exhibition was a success, although we did not sell much. Several thousand leaflets were distributed and a good deal of educational conversation carried on by the friends assisting Mr Maunder. We are much indebted to him, and also to Miss Powell for her assistance. We also w ish to acknowledge the kindness of the Kaiapoi and Oreymouth friends in lending

th*»ir banners. We were successful in getting » handsome one for our own Union The ladies’ sitting-room in the Borough Council Chambers was renovated and d**corated and during the Inhibition weeks had a record attendance. Our superintendent of Prison and Reform work reports fewer cases coming under her notice than in the previous year, only one woman having passed through the gaol and she was housed for only a night on her way to the Lunatic Asylum. Other cases are as follows :

(a) A young girl who Lad got into trouble in connection with an illegal operation was helped during her illness, her trial, her stay in the hospital, and sent to a townsh’p further north, suitable and {>ormaiieiit work l*»ing found for her.

( b ) A young girl with her baby of a few weeks old —a case of desertion was helped in the matter of clothing, medicine, etc. A home was found for the child, where small payments will have regularly to be paid, and a situation found for the young mother. Through the kindness of Miss Powell Organising Agent, the sum of All 10s was donated towards the funds of this department of our work.

Correspondence with those who have been helped is continually kept up. A family in very poor circumstances through the continued illness of husband and father have been helped in the matter of food, clothing, etc.

A wife, with four little children, neglected by a drunken husband, has been helped Provision made for the husband to enter t e hospital and arrangements made for the woman to have the custody of the children, also to receive help from the Charitable Aid B< >ard.

Noaikk - In the early part of the year we co operated with the Band of Hope and sent £1) to the Alliance. During May we were led to believe a license would 1h» asked for for Ngaire and nude preparations to oppose the same Those formerly in charge of the Ban 1 of Hope decided to drop the meetings for the year. The Union took the matter up and has carried on most successful meetings, taking a number of pledges. We were all interested in tin Exhibition stall and contributed to the same. Mrs Webb’s address on Purity has been realand members recognise the importance of this subject. In December Miss Powell visited us and gave an address and lecture which greatly interested us Midhikht reports that, having suffered severely through removals, they have not lx*eii able to get together a meeting for some time. Strateouo- During the year we have l**on favoured with visits from Rev. F. W. 1.-itt, Miss Maunder. Miss Powell, and Mr Wake, of Eltham. Purity literature has been obtained, well circulated among mothers and much appreciated. More active workers are needed. Arrangeme ts have l**en made by our branch to secure several prominent Temperance speakers during the present year, and we hojs* to -ee excellent results from their visits

TakiXl.—During the year resolutions were sent to our Memlx-r re the Licensing Bill. The B.T 1. petition was circulated In September Miss Powell came to give us a lecture but bad weather interfered. Contributions have boon made to funds of the N. Z. Union. During the winter months scientific temjieran ce lessons were given and two medals given for essays on these lessons.

NA PIER. We are going to try meetings once a month to see how that will work, with a young woman’s meeting on the alternate fortnight We are hoping by careful visitation to keep more in touch with absent meml>erß and get them more interested. Mrs Wilkie is in charge of the home and mo'hers’ meetings, through which we hope to get more members and spread an influence that will help us at the coining election. Of course as that time dr ws near we shall hold meetings more fro juently and try and enrol as many NoLicense workers as possible Ormondvillb is working well and has more than doubled its membership. Hastings. —Our society was organised in June ltb>4 by members of the Napier Union, and attendance and interest have been fairly well sustained. The Literature department is the only one worked by a superintendent, Mrs Collins (who, we regret to say, is leaving the neighbourhood) having distributed 10 lbs weight of literature in the short time she has been at work, and this principally at the trains, where she has not always met with encouragement Though there has only been one department of work really taken up, yet we have done work in connection with some of the other branches. Petitions have been sent to Parliament dealing with Gambling, Child Life Preservation, the Introduction of a Text-Book into the State Schools, etc; also a |**titiou was sent to the local Borough Council, dealing with Street-Gambling, and a bye-law was passed forbidding it. Several discussions have taken place on the Bible-in-Schools question and other important matters. We are hoping that vve may inHuence some more ladies to come and help in the crusade against evil. WANGANUI. Since our last annual report 27 new members have joined the Union. During the year eleven ordinary meetings have been held, prec ded by half hour prayer meetings Papers on Evangelistic Work and Work among the Young have been read and found helpful, and a special meeting was held to consider the amendment to the Premier’s Memorandum. During Miss Powell’s visit two very successful public meetings were held. At one, for women and girls, Miss Powell dealt with the subject of Purity and at the other with the Origin and Aims of the W.C-T.U. The departments of work include Evangelistic, Literature, Relief, Rescue, Parliamentary and Educational. A visiting committee is doing good work among absent members and a Whitk Ribbon agent bas been appointed, also a Press reporter. PALMERSTON NORTH. Colyton. — [luring the year eleven meetings have been held. Resolutions have l>een adopted an! sent to Parliament in connection with the sale of liquor at Niue and Karatonga and the Licensing Bill. A large number of signatures was obtained for the petition re Temperance Instruction. Literature on various subjects has been distributed, notably seveial books on purity by Mrs Atkey, of the B.W.T.A. A lantern and musical evening swelled our funds and we were thus ab’e to make two grants to the colonial work. Our energetic organising agent, Miss Powell, paid us a visit in November and through her visit and lecture fresh interest has been

aroused and new subscribers to the Whitk Ribbon Vere gained. Mar ton. — We have not much to report in the way of work ; our members are undertaking the distribution of the Crusader, the monthly paper in the No-license interests, which is to lie published till next election, and we hope to do more in anticipation of that same event.

Fail.ihno. Few meetings have been held on account of bad weather and scanty attendance Bible reading in the High school, which was daily conduced by tive l<jcal ministers, has been abandoned on account of non-attendance of the scholars, but we are trying to get it re-established Those of our members whose heart is in the work do their utmost, but it is the combined effort which is lacking. Woodvillk Our first meeting was held on Septemlier ltith. On account of our late start and the fact of our members being mostly new to the work of the Union, we did not do very much last year. We have, how ever, succeeded in placing a box for the W.C.T.U. literature in the railway station, also in the reading room of the public library, and arranged for the distribution of temperance literature to country districts in view of the coming election. WELLINGTON Much work has been undertaken during the year. The Premier’s Memorandum has been considered. The paper on Hygiene and booklet on Purity have been circulated Among the members and much appreciated, and Miss Powell's visit and lectures to girls were both helpful and enjoyable. Our box at the railway station is supplied w ith literature. The Home for the Aged and Needy is visited and the Hospital singing band is looking for new members so as to continue its good work It finds the piano provided by the Union a great help, The Girls’ Association rooms at Newtown are still flourishing under Mrs BoxalPs efficient direction. Strangers to the town are heartily welcomed and girls are frequently helped to obtain situations. Lowki Hurr.— This branch is making headway. A corresponding secretary and Whitk Ribbon agent have been appointed and a hall purchased for Temperance woik A box for literature has been placed at the railway station. One Educational meeting has been held and a Scientific Temperance lecture given by Dr. Chappie. Pktonk. —During the year the branch successfully opposed the granting of a wine license. An open air piotest meeting was held and a petition prepared and signatures obtained, and the members had the satisfaction of seeing the application withdrawn. Some of our meinliers formed part of the deputation to the Premier re the Licensing Bill. Literature has fieen taken regularly to the railway station and the Whitk Ribbon has ln*en distributed from house to house. Fortnightly home meetings have been held and talks on Temperance given.

Masterton. — Subscribers to the Whiti Ribbon have increased in number and literature has been freely distributed both in the »

town and to the settlers and saw millers in surrounding districts. Several Educational meetings and one Mothers’ meeting has been held Alisa Powell's visit was l>oth enjoyable and helpful and new members were secured.

\ lunation was sent to the Newtown defence fund.

Levin Union was organised in 1904 with a membership of eight which has increased to fifteen. Several departments of work have |h-.*n taken up and one special and six ordinary meetings held. A Hand of Hope has b**en successfully carried on Resolutions re Licensing Hill were adopted and petitions signed re Temperance reform in Wellington We have had visits from Miss Hughes and Mis* Powell ; the former gave the “ Congress of Nations ” entertainment. The latter made a home- to- house visitation and addres-ed a meeting for women, thus stimulating interest in the work and securing six new members. One Educational meeting has been held, the subject being Alcohol as a Medicine BLENHEIM. Early in the year we had a visit from Miss Hughes, which resulted in an increase of membership In March we had the pleasure of entertaining the annual Convention, aln>ut 2s visiting delegates arriving in our midst. Luring the year a Union has been formed at Ren wick town, with a goodly number of members. \ r Hours. Several of our meetings have taken the form of an “ At Home,” when paj ers bearing on Temperance and social reforms have l*een read, which have proved instructive and interesting. Mothers’ M eetinob. —This branch of the work still flourishes under the able management of our energetic Miperintendent. Wok k Amongst Young People. This most important branch of work has Wen vigorously taken up Huring the winter month* LT.L meetings were well attended, the membership reaching eighty or more I iterature boxes have been placed at three railway stations, and arrangements are being made to hold meetings at the Maori pah. NELSON. We are thankful to report increased membership, in3reased interest in the cause, increased number of subscribers to White R bhom, and increased finances. The petition for ‘'Scientific Instruction in Schools” received 211 signatures. The revised resolutions re the Premier’s memorandum on child life preservation were sent to the Premier, and our M. H R., and were duly reported in our daily papers A great stimulus was given to us individually, and as a Union by the visit of our N Z Secretary, Miss Powell Addresses were given to women and to girls. Draw ing-room meetings were held, at which Miss Powell aroused thought and interest The White Ribbon p&pei was introduced and new subscribers obtained. The subject of “ Purity ” wh- brought before the young people by Miss l ow ell; books on the subject have been pur- • ha- d and liteiature distributed. The same subject was also discussed at the Mothers' 'U<*eting. At our annual meeting in December we *>' favoured with the presence of our N.Z. IT ident. Mrs Atkinson, who gave us a short and encouraging address GREYMOUTH. Hie Union has been handicapped this year by tiie absence from the district, through illne.--, of our president, and also the absence <*f' t sev. ral other of our working members. Miss Hughes paid us a visit and did all she could'

for us, but only three were added to the roll. The Union employed a lawyer to op|>ose the granting of a license to a hotel, and although we were not successful, the work will tell in the future The work among the sailors is continued, several socials having l>cen held, and mu h appreciated. The boats and railway boxes are kept supplied with literature.

Rkkfton At the commencement of the year our meetings weie well attended, and very encouraging, and we expected to do more work than ever before. Miss Hughes visit was very enjoyable, and helped and cheered us considerably, six new members b ing obtained at the “ At Home ” As winter approached, ri<knes* entered many homes, and we were only able to hold one meeting. Literature has, however, been distributed, and we enter upon this year with renewed vigour to press forward and help the great temperance reform. KAIAPOI. We are thankful to report increased interest in our meetings, the attendance having improved, and as we have appointed two members as absentee visitors we hope for still better things.

Resolutions have been forwarded to the Premier r e Liquor in the ('ook Inland*, infant Life Preservation, and the I Aren sing Art. The visit of Miss Hughes has cheered and helped both the District Union and tin* auxiliaries.

Hanoi oka reports .ncreased activity in the work,and feels well equipped, both financially and numerically, for the coining campaign. Woodeni> distributes a considerable quantity of literature Waikaki shows an increase in numbers,the nineteen members taking twenty-four copies of the White Ribbon. CHRISTCHURCH.

Twenty-five meetings have b«*en held during the year. Five of these were educational. At the educational meetings, a paper on Hygiene. and addresses on Equal Pay for Equal Work, H.W.T.A. Work in England, and Work in the District Unions, were given. Legal and Parliamentary. —Resolutions have been forwarded to the Government as follow :

1. Urging alteration in Elec oral law

2. Urging the appointment of Women Inspectors to inquire into cases of illegitimacy. 3. Urging equal pay for equal work. 4 Protesting against the importation of liquor into Raratonga and Niue. 6. Protesting against the Licensing Act Amendment Hill.

In conjunction with various societies, resolutions urging the appointment of Hoards of Control to all Institutions supported by Public Fund-* were passed. A sp‘*cial Committee,appointed by the Union, met to consider the Premier’s Memorandum on Child Life Preservation. Miss Roberta drafted a number of resolutions. These were passed at a special meeting of the Union an«l forwarded to the Premier and the N. Z Executive of the W.C.T.U.

The petition re 8.T.1. in Schools has l>een signed and sent to the House. Literature.— The Union Signal, the Australian and the English “ White Ribbon ” are sub scribed for by the Union. These, withtwentyfour monthly copies of the N Z. White Ribbon, are distributed. Samples of literature on "Purity” have been received. The N.Z. Health Association sent a dozei copies of the

“ N Z. Health Journal,” which were also distributed. The page in the “ Prohibitionist ” is still subscribed for.

Influencing the Press —The public, through the medium of the Press, has l»eeu made well acquainted with the work of the W.CT U. and matters affecting the welfare of women. The Jubilee Home has l>oeu visited regularly. Two entertainments and teas have been given to the inmates

Unfermented Win,’. —A member reports that a certain church in Christchurch has this year for the first time used unfermented wine. This change, she believes, is chiefly due to her efforts, extending over seven years. The various City and County Councils have been approached and urged to elect women to seats on the Charitable Aid and Hospital Hoards.

Mi»s Hughes, while in Christchurch, visited and aroused interest among women in the work of the W.C.T.U.

Early in the y< ar Miss Moody Hell gave a short sketch of the work of the H.W.T.A. in England.

Luncheon. Tent. — A commodious kitchen has been erected on the Show Grounds at the urgent request of the Union. 'I his kitchen is rented for the three show days from the A. and P Association. Excellent business was done in the tent. A vegetarian table was as usual provided, and was well patronised. Ashburton Union was organised in August by Miss Powell, w ith a membership of twentysix. A resolution regarding the Licensing Hill was adopted and sent to the Premier and member for Ashburton A literature lx>x has lx*en established at the station, and arrangements are being made to procure a room adjoining a refreshment shop where women from the country may wait and rest. Miss Hughes visited the Union in October.

Willow by. —Last August Miss Powell gave an afternoon address to women, and an evening lecture. Her visit resulted in the formation of a Union with 20 members (since increased to 2b), with 6 honorary members. The work undertaken has been the establishing of a Band of Hope at Winslow A protest against the Licensing Hill was forwarded to the Premier and member for the district. In Octolier Miss Hughes gave us a helpM address.

Lyttelton. In the legal and Parliamentary department, resolutions have been adopted and sent to our member re Licensing Hill, Temperance Instruction in State Schools, and Liquor in Niue and Raratonga. Literature is supplied to the Sailors’ Rest, and also to vessels leaving port, and collecting is done for missionary work An evangelistic meeting is held monthly.

W aim ate— As a result of two meetings conducted by Miss Powell in July last, a branch was formed, with a membership of twenty-five. The meetings have been interesting and educational. Papers have ln*en read on the “ Hereditary Effects of Intemperance,” and "Childhood and Girl hood of Miss Willard,” ly Miss Turnbull and Mrs Dohrman respect’v. ly. V* rig Roberts, of (’hristi hurch, has giver, ad * jes on “ Women's Disabilities ’ and “ How to gain No License.” A largely attended drawing-room meeting was also address e* ; Ly Miss Roberts. Literature boxes have taxjij placed hi two railway stations ; seve al members ha.etaken up district visiting, with distribution of literature; the

hospital is visited and Hovers aud literature supplied; and the clergyman of the Anglican Church has been memorialised rt use of unfermented wine. Timahi'.—The chief work of this branch is in connection with the Sailors’ Rest. Ihe rest is under splendid management, and 1311 sailors have visited it during the year. Miss Hughes’ visit was a stimulus to our work. A protest was made r* Licensing Bill, and one drawing room meeting held, at which Mrs Webb’s paper on Purity was read. DUNEDIN. Mr McKenzie, who has charge of the Sailors’ Rest during Mr Falconer's absence, reports that the work is going on steadily. As far as possible, every ship in Port is visited, and the seamen cordially invited to the Rest, and when leaving, parcels of literature are placed on board. The meetings are very encouraging both as regards attendance an<l interest manifested. A series of resolutions bearing upon the Premier's Child Life Preservation Bill, were passed. At the Congress of Nations entertainment, given by ; Miss Hughes, a resolution was passed protesting against the setting aside of the vote of the people in Newtown and Bruce. We have Miss Moody Bell with us as Secretary of the local Y.WC.A. Miss Bell has given two “ Talks to the Giris,” and at the latter one the Y.W.C.A Hall was packed. Naseby reports consideiable interest in the work and an increase of membership. Port Chalmkks considers that in a No License town it is difficult to keep up the enthusiasm but looks forward to more active work. Bai.clutha, having only just started, has not accomplished much but hopes to do good work. South Duneuin branch wjih organised in April 1904 by Miss Hughes, and is, of course, still in its infancy, but a vigorous infancy, promising well for the future. House to house visitation is the special work taken up, and it is hoped by this means to reach the women and so gain many votes for tho forthcoming election. Help is also given in connection with the work at the Sailors’ Rest. INVERCARGILL During the year we lost four and gained twelve new members. A mothers’ prayer meeting has t»een sustained on the third Tuesday of every month during the past year. A band of singers visits the Hospital once a fortnight, and through the kindness of the Battalion Band in rendering concerts, we have been enabled to purchase an organ for their use. The work in and around here has l>een greatly stimulated by the visit of Misses Powell and Hughes. Branches were organised by Miss Powell at Otautau and Gore, and the whole work reorganised at Waianiwa. We hope to be able to state in our next report that we have carried No-License. We were only ten votes short at last election, anu we mean to work as hard as ever. The *• Victoria Home,” for fallen and friendless girls, is worked under the auspices of our Union, but by a committee appointed by an annual meeting of subscriliers. The income during the year was jfcllffi Is 7d, and the expenditure £2 7s 2d less.

Blufv reports holding meetings regularly during the )ear. On Regatta Day they conducted a luncheon booth close to the wharf, from which they obtained towards theirground fund, j£l7 17s 9d. Towards the Newtown and Bruce appeal case they gave £2 10s. 117 attend their monthly Band of Hope Tapanui. —The membership is small. They report having a Band of Hope and a class for Bible study, in connection with the Union. Go be. —This branch was organised by Miss Powell in May, 1904, and reports progress in the work The twenty members are all ardent, earnest workers. Several have interested theunelves in the Band of Hope. Others waited upon the minister of one of tho churches, and secured the substitution of un fermented wine for fermented at Communion. Temperance literature is circulated The addresses and papers of the President are much appreciated. Otautau. —The Union was organised by Miss Powell in April, 1904, Good work has been done among the young |w*ople by means of the Band of Hope. In this work the members have bad the help <>f several gentlemen in giving addresses. The -Vcu- Chivalry and other literature is circulated. Waianiwa. —We have only held four or five meetings since being reorganised by Miss Powell in April, 1904, as our President has l>een unable to attend through illness, and the only work undertaken has been the distribution of literature