NEWS OF THE UNIONS.

White Ribbon, Volume 14, Issue 151, 16 December 1907, Page 2

NEWS OF THE UNIONS.

We rely on <»ur local Unions to send us news for tins column. We cannot evolve it out of our inner consciousness

ASHBURTON. Our Union is steadily growing in interest. and is making itself known in the town. Owing to a protest from the Union, the ladies’ waiting room at the Railway Station has been thoroughly renovated. Our last big piece of work was the entertainment of the visiting bandsmen. The men were delighted, and asked to be similarly treated at otln r places. When the President explained that she considered that it might be neither safe nor agreeable for her girl helpers to do such work in a' license town, the bandsmen shouted, “ No License for ever !” We have a splendid undenominational Hand of Hope in Ashburton, and at its meeting on November 18th, our Preside nt gave an address to between 500 and 000 people. CHRISTCHURCH. Mrs Cole presided at the meeting held on November 27th. Letters were received from Sir Joseph Ward and Mr H. ft. Ell, M.P., acknowledging the receipt of resolutions passed with reference to tiie Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill. A vigorous discussion took place with regard to the Te Oranga Home, and resolutions. apiiearing elsewhere in this paper, were passed. It was decided to give the usual halfyearly tea to the inmates of the Jubilee Home. The annual meeting was held on December 11th. The annual report was read and received. All was voted towards Christmas gifts for the sailors on the Antartic ship “ Nimrod,” this contribution to be sent through the Lyttelton Union. It was decided to accept the invitation of the Canterbury Women’s Institute to be present at a projiosed public meeting to be held on February 18th, to discuss “ How to Deal with Neglected and Destitute Childrenalso '* to send delegates to a preliminary meeting to be held on February 7th. The

eU'cMon of officers resulted as follows: to her consent); Corresponding Secretary, Mrs Ruth Day; Recording Secretary t Miss W. \Y. Smith; Treasurer, Mrs Phoebe Seed; Superintendents of departments were also appointed.. It was ■ Voided to accept a jmrtrait, from her husband, of the late Mrs Henderson, who served for some time on the Charitable Aid Board, and who took an interest in all reform work. HAMILTON. The annual meeting was held on December sth. The members present each voiced the feeling, which no doubt is shared by many other temperance organisations. that the coining year was a year for aggressive work. The officers for the year are : President, Mrs. Jones; Secretary, Mrs Griffin; Treasurer, Mrs Horn; Superintendent Home Meetings. Mrs .1. Tidd. LEVIN. There was a fair number of visitors at our social and educational meeting, held in November. A resolution was passed re Sabbath observance, in accordance with the suggestions of the \\Z. Superintendent of this department, and replies were read from the Premier and the Minister of Marine, with regard to packet licenses. The reply from the manager of the Union Company was also favourable, though it stated that nothing definite had as yet been done to make total abstinence compulsory amongst the officers. The event of the afternoon was a paper on “Hygiene," by Mrs. Sorensen, dealing chiefly with the necessity for fresh air. cleanliness, exercise. and the freedom of the body from the congesting and weakening influences of corsets and shoulder straps. Tin paper proved entertaining and interesting. and was freely discussed, some difference of opinion being manifested on minor points, but all apparently convinced of tin importance of attention to this great subject. Tea and refreshments, dispensed by the Preside nt and Mrs Sorensen, and some musical items interspersed, rendered the me< ting pleasantly social. LOWER HUTT. There was a better attendance than usual at our annual meeting, which was held on 26th nit. Mrs Strand, senior, was elected as President, and the Secretary and Treasurer were re-elected. We shall not hold another meeting until February. NEW PLYMOUTH.

Our annual meeting on December 4th was a cheering success. The departmental report showed that much time and thought had been given to accomplish all the work that was put into them. We are now working in nine different directions to help to bring to pass that unto which our Union is sent: Dorcas work, maternity box, prison and r. scue work, Parliamentary and legal work, cradle-roll literature, rest-room for women, “White Ribbon” agency and dis-

tributiou of “On the Line" amongst the railway men. All the superin ten dents were re-elected. The officers were reelected for the coming year. Seven new members joined us throughout the year; on the other hand, there have been five rt movals, one death, and one retired member. RANGIORA. Our annual me* ting was held on November 29th. Mrs Pinfold was reelect* d President, and Mrs Darling, whom we are hoping to welcome back shortly from her trip to the Old Land, was elected Secretary, and Miss Newton Tr* as urc r. STRATFORD. Our Union met on 22nd November, and we wa re favoured with the presence of Mrs Kirkland, from Dunedin. Mrs Kirkland gave a most interesting account of the noble work being done in many lands by the Union. Most impressive were tin speaker’s remarks on prayer—more need for earnest, constant prayer. We all feel that our Union would be better for more frequent visits from gifted, capable workers from the larger centres. The annual meeting was held on 4th instant, and the election of officers resulted as follows : —President, Mrs Keni tdy (Toko); Secretary, Mrs Mackay; Treasurer, Mrs Hills. TARIKI. Through the kindness of the head master and School Committee, the Union held a garden party in the school grounds on November 11th. Though lb* weather was not the most favourabl*. a number of friends gathered from near and far. and a pleasant afternoon was spent. LI 17s fid was cleared for * iir l nion funds. The annual meeting was held on November !9th. The Legal and Parliam< • tary and the Cradle Roll Committees rejiorted good work done, and the Treasure r’s sheet showed a good balance in hand. We shall try to send a delegate to Convention. The only change in the list of officers is that Mrs Coutts takes th< place of Mrs A. Fenwick as VicePresident. TIMARU. The annual meeting was held on the 3rd instant, at the Sailor’s Rest. Routine busiin ss and correspondence was gone through, and literature was handed round for distribution. Mr Stead’s annual report was read, showing how our little rest is appreciated by the sailors. A large number of Bibles in different languages had been received from the British and Foreign Bible Society for use among the men The election of officers then took place, and the meeting closed. WAIPAWA.

Our annual meeting was held on December sth. Mrs Bibbv in the chair. The acting officers were re-elected to office, and two new members were added to our roll. After the business. Miss Heira Stirling, who is working among the Maoris in this district, in the

cause of temperance, gave a most interesting address, asking for our cooperation, which we .promised to give. Our Band of Hope is ffotinsning, and doing good work. WANGANUI. The annual meeting was held on December Gth, when there was a good attendance of members. Reports were read by the Treasurer and Secretary and Superintendents of Departments. Since last annual meeting. 18 members hav«» joined, bringing the total membership up to 100. Mrs Smith was re-elecied President, and the Treasurer and Secretary were also re-elected. The election of Superintendents of Departments was held over until the next meeting, which will he the first Friday in February. One new member was enrolled.