News of the Unions.

White Ribbon, Volume 17, Issue 194, 17 August 1911, Page 5

News of the Unions.

[The Editor cannot promise to insert anything in the next issue that does not reach her by the Kth of the month. Correspondents are requested to write their Reports as concisely as possible, on one side of the paper only. Newspaper cuttings are unsuitable.]

AUCKLAND. July 12th and 26th, Mrs Dewar presided. Several Departmental letters were received, also a letter from Mr Saunders, No-License Organizer at Muntly, stating he had formed a Union in that part, and that he thought it would l>e a means of blessing there. It was decided to write and congratulate Mr Saunders, as Huntly was considered a rather difficult place for a Union to l>e formed. As Huntly is in the Hamilton District, intimation was sent to that Union so that they might officially organize. Miss McNeish is to visit Huntly. Miss Evans gave an interesting address on the No-License work. One new meml>er was initiated. It was decided to hold a series of public meetings, instead of our usual meetings, at which Ministers and others will give addresses. Good reports were given by different members who had been canvassing in the Crusade cause. ONEHUNGA. July 25. Miss Somerville has l>een elected Treasurer. We are sorry to lose the services of our aide Superintendent of Cradle Roll, Mrs Howes, she having Ijeen cniiqxlled to resign. The flourishing state of the work is due solely to her untiring work and devotion. Miss Burden was elected Superintendent in her stead. Mrs J. H. Mackenzie gave a good address. Several names were added to the Roll, and five new members to the Union.

MORRINSVILLE. Held in Methodist Vestry, Mrs 0. \V. Brow n presided. Three representatives elected to No-License League. Mrs Carter read a report of New Plymouth Convention, which was much enjoyed. The total membership now is 24. Meetings are held on second Thursday monthly. It was decided to hold a monthly prayer meeting on the fourth Thursday. PONSONBY. July 13, at the house of Mrs Harris, President. Circulars read and discussed were Purity, Mothers Meetings, and Temperance Sunday. Miss Harris, a member of the Cradle Roll, rendered a solo, and is a young helper in the field. Mr Harris is to Ik? a Prohibition candidate for Parliament; it is hoped he will l»e successful. The Crusade movement was explained and signatures obtained. PUKEKOHE. A meeting of ladies was held in Comrie’a Hall on July 6th, when Miss McNeish was present to organize a Union. Eight new members were initiated and officers elected as follows:—President, Mrs Blamires; VicePresidents, Mesdames Bell and Thornley ; Secretary. Mrs Cowen; Recording Secretary and Agent for White Ribbon, Miss Goldsworthy. YVe decided to start at once on

Crusade work, and a Committee was set up to get it going. A suh-Committee was also ap* pointed to consider the matter of doing some collecting to assist the Franklin No-License league. We have 17 members, and know of several who are intending to join, hut were unable to Ik? present at the meeting.

HAMILTON. July 6, in Wesley classroom. Resolved that a monster temperance tea and after-meeting lie held on August 10th in the Town Hall, Miss Anderson Hughes to address the after-meeting, tho ladies of the different Churches to provide tea. A social afternoon was arranged for the 19th instant to welcome Mrs Letham, Canvasser and Organizer for No-License in Waikato. Resolved that the discussion on the Women’s Crusade Ik? delayed for Miss Hughes’ visit, an afternoon meeting to be arranged. Three Superintendents were appointed for Home Meetings, these to include Evangelistic and Mothers Meetings in various parts of the town. The President gave an interesting account of her visit to the Ngaruawahia Union. Votes of condolence and sympathy were passed to the families of Mesdames T. and J. Tidd in their recent lx?reavements. NGARUAWAHIA. A special meeting was held in the Town Hall June 29. Mrs Auld, District President, ami Miss McNeish, Organizing Secretary, both addressed the meeting. About 30 ladies w’ere present. Musical items were much appreci ated. July 6. our meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, Mrs By croft presided. It was resolved to try and get the Maori Organizer to visit the Maori., here at the end of the month, when large meetings of natives are l**ing held. TUAKAU. July 21, in Wesleyan Church at 7 30 p m., Mrs Hunter presided. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Franklin No-License League asking for contributions ; resolved that we donate a portion to the J/omr Journal. The Treasurer’s report for the past year showed that all expenses have l>een paid, leaving a balance in hand. The S iperintendent of the Cradle Roll announced having obtained 172 children’s names. Five new memlters were initiated. A motion of synq)athy was passed with Mrs T. E Taylor in the loss of her husband. This Union fully comprehends the gap which has l»een made in our ranks.

GISBORNE. July 25. Reports received from following Departments of work : —Literature, Visiting, Anti Opium, Maori, and Treasurer’s. It was decided to present a gold medal to the Bands of Hope for the Ijest essay on “Temperance,” taking the word in its broadest meaning of “moderation ami self-control in all things.” Mrs Gaskin, President <»f the Greymouth Union, was present and gave a very interesting little “ talk ” on white ribbon work, shaking of the visits she had lately paid to Auckland and other centres, wlwre she had found the Unions active and doing much good work. HASTINGS. We had a splendid time during Mrs Barton's visit. The Women’s Crusade was inaugurated and at that meeting 58 names were handed in, since then the work has l»een taken up heartily

and there ar»* many more n unei to be added. Twenty of our worker* have taken u j> a house to house canvass of Hasting.: distributing literature, Ac., ’ll connection with lho NoLicense League, \nd are meeting witl great success. We trust that our efforts will, with God’s blessing, bring forth fruit at the coming fight. At Mrs Kirtnn s afternoon meeting six new members were initiated. WOODVILLE. We have had good tiine3 in connection with our work lately. In June we had Mrs Karton ; everyone enjoyed her addresses. In July our Now Zealand Corresponding Secretary, Mrs Peryman, paid us a visit. We had a splendid afternoon meeting ; 5 new memliers joined our ranks In the evening Mrs Peryman gave another address, which everyone enjoyed. We meet on the last Tuesday in the month ; meetings well attended. We have started our Crusade work. We hope to assist in carrying National Prohibition.

FEILDING. July 2b, a social was held at which Miss Powell gave an excellent address. She proved the damaging effects of the drink tratiic, and said that many of the large hospitals were practically doing without alcohol, and doctors classed it amongst arsenic strychnine, and other poisons. She urged all to strike out the top line of each voting paper, also to take up the Women’s Crusade work. Many responded and took pledge hooks. Mrs Budd presided. August 8. It was resolved to get a lady speaker to hold an afternoon meeting at Cheltenham, in this electorate. Resolved to send a letter of sympathy to Mrs T. K. lay lor, also to contribute to the Taylor Memorial Fund. Derided to try and procure a short leaflet containing reasons for voting No-License and National Prohibition, for distribution, and to procure cards for the Cradle Roll. WANGANUI.

July 14, the first of a series of Mothers Meetings was held at the residence of Mrs Collier. Between 40 and ."*0 present; this must Ik* considered a record attendance (the distance from town is two miles, and most of those present walked both ways. Dr I>unn gave a capital lecture on “ Motherhood ” The collection taken up was for the benefit of Organizing Bazaar Fund. July 25, at Putiki, a meeting was held to welcome Miss Keliecca Smith. This was the liest meeting yet held at the pa. A number of Maoris, both men and women, joined the Union.

July 27, an “ At Home was held at Mrs J. SmithV, Wilson Street, to meet Miss Rebecca Smith ; about 40 ineinliers were present. Miss Smith gave an account of her work in a short speech, and sang a duet w ith Munga. August 4. in St. Paul’s Hall, Mrs J. Smith in the chair. A vote of sympathy was passed to Mrs T. K. Taylor in her liereaveinent, the members standing. PUTIKI. July 25, there was a very good attendance, about 40 or .Ml U'ing present. Miss Reliecca Smith, Maori Organizer, was with us; also three friends from the Wanganui Union. The

meeting was opened with a hymn and prayer by the Rev. A. 0. Williams, who then gave a sin rt address showing the good of No-License, quoting as an example the town of Mas ter ton, where, during 1907 under License, there were 450 convictions at the Court, and during 1910, under No-License, only sb. Miss Smith addressed the meeting, telling of her experiences in other places, and urging the claims of the No-License cause. Mrs Upton and Mr Hori Takurangi also spoke, the latter welcoming Miss Smith and offering his hearty support to the cause. Miss Smith then asked if there were any present who had not signed the pledge and who would like to do so; 14 responded, 8 men and hoys and (1 girls. Three new subscribers to the White Ribbon were also secured. Officers elected : —President, Miss Mangu 'laliana; Vice-President, Mrs Forsythe ; Secretary, Miss 0. Williams, Assistant Secretary, Miss A. McDonnell: Treasurer, Miss I. Hare.

The Wanganui President, Mrs Smith, explained that a Gift Sale in aid of the Organizing Fund for Maori and European work was to he held in September, at which she Imped our inemliers would assist. It was suggested that they furnish a fern stall, and Rev. Williams kindly volunteered to drive several fern-collectors to the hush. Miss Smith then gave a little advice to the officers. The meeting was closed by the Rev. Williams with prayer. NGAIRE. We have, once a month, established a prayer ami praise meeting, and they are proving a means of blessing to all who attend. At our June meeting three new members wore enrolled, July 4. A farewell meeting was held at Mrs Clark’s, one of our oldest members, who is leaving the district. Great regret is felt at Mrs Clark's removal, We have lately lost quite a number of our members—Mesdames Wickham and Kennington amongst others. We have resolved to work up the Women s Crusade, and have appointed Mrs Kennington, senior, Superintendent of Mothers Meetings and Purity combined. August I, at Mrs Morrisons, good attendance, Mrs M. T. Phillips, President, in the chair. A message of sympathy was sent to Mrs T. K. Taylor. The greater part of the afternoon was taken up making final arrangements for the Provincial Convention to l>e held here on August 9th. We are hoping for a good number of Delegates aud friends, ami good meetings.

KI Ml KIMI. Our Branch held their first Band of Hope meeting o:i 14th July in the Presbyterian Church. The crowded audience assembled showed great appreciation of the excellent programme rendered. A Temperance address delivered by Mr Crispin, Auckland, was listened to with keen interest. The Rev. W. Wool lass presided. Mrs H. Sutherland, President, arranged a drawing-room meeting to introduce Mrs H. \V Gilling, President, M&tapu. Two new inemliers were initiated ami a Hand of Hope meeting arranged for August 12th. WELLINGTON. .inly b, Mrs Boxall presided. The resignation, owing to ill-health, of Mrs Johnson, Recording Secretary, was accepted with

regret; Mrs Neal consented to act till the annual meeting. The President gave an account of the tea arranged by the W.C.T.U. in connection with the City and Suburbs NoLicense League Convention held on July sth. It was arranged to hold a drawing-room meeting at Mrs Ward's on the 19th. Correspondence was read and discussed, and two new members were initiated, NELSON. Our July meeting was held in the Diocesan Library, kindly granted to us by the Bishop, when o• < r 50 were present. Miss Atkinson presided. Miss Grimley, of Leicester, England, gave an earnest address on “ Women’s Work m the Temperance Cause. ’’ We have decided to take up the Women's Crusade as proposed by Mrs Driver. Arrangements are being made for holding a Sale of Work in Octolier with a view to getting funds for campaign expenses. Since last meeting we have added IS new members to our list. This is due chiefly to the holding of drawing-room meetings, with ad dresses given by Miss Grimley, and by visitation. We purpose starting a “Y” Department, with Mrs Israel as Superintendent.

BLENHEIM. July 22. Cards asking for prayer to he offered daily for victory at the next poll were received, and resolved that at the next meeting they Ik* put into the hands of our workers and that every house should lie visited and supplied with one or more cards. The Mothers’ Meeting is very well attended, and the fortnightly meeting is looked forward to. July 5. Rev. Richards baptised two babies aud gave a short address oil “ Baptism.’ July 19, a drawing-room meeting was held at the residence of Mrs D. Sinclair. Mrs Rogers read an interesting paper. A letter from Mrs Griffin re the Women s Crusade was read; resolved to bring it forward at the next meeting GREYMOUTH.

A good attendance, Mrs Mason presiding. Letters re Mothers Meetings and Temperance Sunday were discussed. We were pleased to hear that Mrs Lee Cowie would visit our coast very soon, ami inemliers intend to do all they can to make her visit a success. Resolved to hold a small salt* of work in October for the funds of the Sailors Rest We were glad to have the addition of three new members to our Union. Mrs Walton, at whose house the meeting was held, provided afternoon tea. A very good entertainment was given on Ist August by the members of the Band of Hope, under the direction of Mrs Mclntosh and Mr Smith, the children and young people doing their parts really well.

CHRISTCHURCH ‘‘Y’s.” August 1, presided over l»y Miss LovellSmith. Deep regret was expressed at the death of Mr T. E. Taylor, and sympathy for Mrs Taylor and family. The “ Y’s are to work more earnestly and thoroughly m the great w«>rk Mr Taylor has been so suddenly called from. Miss Bavnon superintended the sewing for the children at the hospital. A kitchen bazaar is to lie held tin* last w eek in August in aid of election work. NEW BRIGHTON.

June 27, in the Methodist Bible Class Room, Mrs Cole and Miss Rolierts gave two very in-

tcresting addresses, after which eighteen ladies were initiated as inemliers. Officers elected :

President, Mrs \V. Bellamy; Vice-Presidents, Mesdames J. Clark and K Hanhain; Secretary, Miss II Goodwin ; Treasurer, Miss 1. Wyatt; Evangelistic Superintendent, Mrs K. Spratt. It was decided t<» hold meetings fortnightly. duly 10, Miss Kolierta kindly took the chair. A Committee of four was appointed to arrange Band of Hope meetings. Mrs McKinney was appointed White Ribbon Agent and Mrs Bruce Superintendent of Cradle Roll, hive new inenil»crs were initiated. LYTTELTON. In the Methodist Schoolroom. Mrs G. Wilson was appointed Relegate to the Provincial Convention to he held on Septemlier full and 6th in Christchurch. It was decided to write to all inland Unions in Canterbury asking them if they would assist with “comfort hags to be given to the seamen at Christmas. l‘l was granted from the funds towards pui chasing tracts to lie given to the seamen attending the Seamen's Rest on Sunday evenings. The advisability of starting a Women’s Crusade was discussed, and it was decided that it would he practicable if the Ministers would assist at the meetings, which it was proposed to hold in the C hurches after the services on Sunday nights, provide it did not overlap the w ork done by the No-License League. It was decided to send a letter of condolence to Mrs T. K Taylor and family.

WINCH MORE. At Mrs Prehide's home on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Driver’s circular re Crusade hooks was read, also a paper on “ Purity.’ ASHBURTON. duly 11, Mrs YV. T. Lili presided over a large attendance. Business in connection with the District Convention at Christchurch in September was arranged, Mrs W. .1. Elliott and Miss C. Thomas were elected Delegates. Resolved to make arrangements to hold a public meeting at an early date to lie addressed hy Mrs Barton. The question of forming a Women’s Crusade in connection with the Union was held over. Mr W. J. Brown, NoLicense Organizer, addressed the meeting Briefly on the work to ’ ? undertaken in the coining campaign. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker.

DUNEDIN. Mrs H. Driver, Superintendent of the Crusade, reported that the movement is spreading all over the Dominion, and the hooks are lieing signed freely. Sunday night prayer meetings have lieen held at close of the usual service in many of the suburban ('bundles, and wherever possible Delegates are taking the pulpit and advocating No-License. Mrs J. Chisholm reported several most successful home meetings, held in different parts of the city, addressed by prominent No-Liceuse workers. Mrs Barton, from Glasgow, has had a short campaign in city, holding two mass meetings in Garrison Hall and smaller gatherings in the suburbs, and is now in North Otago using all her powers of speech and organisation for the Crusade. Mrs H. Cole, our New Zealand President, came from Christchurch t<> preside at the Garrison Hall meetings, and while here gave an earnest address to a meeting on Sunday night organized by the Reform Council. The Executive of the City

Union had the pleasure of meeting her at an informal gathering held at the residence of Mrs Peter Dick, and received much useful information, as well as inspiring advice about work for the future. The date of the annual Convention lias lieen fixed, proceedings to commence on the first Wednesday in March, 1912. Hospitality and other Committees were arranged for. that preparations may go quietly on through all the stress of Crusade work. A resolution of sympathy with Mrs T. K Taylor in her sad bereavement w an passed hy memliers silently standing. Several who knew him liest spoke feelingly of his life s work. All Acknowledged a grtat and goo>/ man had gone from us. Tic fought the tigiit and kept the faith ; may grace lie given to all of us to follow in his train. OTAUTAU. July 14, in the Presbyterian Hall, arrangements were made for social afternoon on the following Tuesday, to enable members and friends to meet Mrs B*e Cowie. The meeting proved very successful about forty women signed the Crusade pledge hook : afternoon tea followed. In the evening a meeting was held iu the hall, when Mrs Lee Cowie again spoke to a large audience. INVERCARGILL. July 4. Mesdames Baird. C. W. Brown, and Harper reported having brought the subject of the establishment of homes for defective girls under the notice of the local meinUr, Mr Hunan, and having found him most sympathetic. It was moved that efforts should l>e made to have the selling of race tickets by young boys made illegal, and that Branch Unions should lie asked to .ake the matter up. Great satisfaction was expressed at the success of the Sale of Work on 28th June, over £2.'> having been taken, besides the proceeds trom the stalls of the Blurt Union and the Victoria Home. A Gift Afternoon has been held cm the 14th June at the residence of Mrs Lee Cowie, ami was largely attended. Mrs Lay cock and others gave brief addresses. Four new members were initiated. As a part of the Women’s Crusade it lias been arranged to hold afternoon prayer meetings for women on the third Tuesday of each month, also general evening meetings at various Churches in town, and Sunday prayer meetings after evening service. After the afternoon prayer meeting of July IvS, a business meeting was held It was resolved that Sister Moody-Bell be appointed Organizer of Cruoade work. Mrs Lee Cowie, it was announced, was prepared to receive Sister Moody-Hell during her residence in this district. Arranged that two Executive Committees lie formed, one to organize the pledge taking effort, the other to superintend arrangements for mass meetings. July 5, an evening meeting was held at Mrs Lee Cowie s and, despite stormy weather, was well attended. Mrs C. W, Brown gave an address, reviewing the work accomplished since the formation of the Union in New Zealand, and urging that members work earnestly and hopefully for tlie end in sight. Mrs Lee-Cowie followed with an animated address, pointing out how workers in the Crusade could make clear the advantages of the abolition of the liquor traffic throughout the Dominion, and answer objections as to supposed evils resulting from it.

August 1. Sister Moody-Bell, who has lieen appointed Organizer of the Temperance Crusade in this district, was introduced, and gave a brief address describing the progress made in Crusade work in Dunedin. Arrangements for the plan of campaign w ore discussed, and several districts in the town were allotted to volunteers who undertook to canvass or to distribute literature. Mesdames Hunter, Stuck, and Smith were appointed Delegates to the Reform Council. A parade is to lie held at the Baptist Church; Sister Moody-Bell will sjH-ak at the after-service meeting. Mrs Barton, from Glasgow, arrives in Invercargill on the 9th, and w ill give addresses in Invercargill on the evenings of the l.Mth and 14th, on her return from the Bluff. Mrs Baird briefly and feelingly spoke of the loss the cause hail sustained by the death of Mr T. K. Taylor and of the lessons afforded by his life work. Two new members were initiated.