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ORGANISERS REPORT.

< 'potiki, 7 o 1912. Dear Sisteks, Since leaving Convention I have visited tho Wairarapa district, and was present at a Union meeting in Masterton which was fairly well attended. At this meeting it was arranged that I should go to (Jreytown to organise there. Mrs Whincop had arranged for two meetings to be held, and had spent a great deal of time and thought endeavouring to have a successful Union organised. However, the meetings were not well enough attended to warrant a successful organisation. No douht the Faster holidays, just at hand, were responsible for such a poor gathering. Perhaps in the near future Mrs Whincop’s etlorts may reap their reward, as l believe there are very earnest Temperance workers in ami around < Jreytown. 1 also communicated with Featherston, Carterton and Martinborough re prospects of organising in these centres, but the replies were not of an encouraging nature and Mrs Devonport and myself

think it better to wait until the people are more willing to take up Union work, T spent Faster week in Napier as it was impossible to do any organising work. The following week I went to Norse wood, and visited the people, and arranged a meeting when the Oistrict President Mrs Oldham intended being present. The day proved so wet and stormy that travelling was out of the question. However, we had a meeting although the attendance was not large, and I was able to organise what is likely to he a solid Union. The women are of the right stamp, and I believe when persuaded to take anything up, do the work with heart and soul. The following officers were deeded : President, Miss Campbell; Secretary, Mrs Bridgman; Treasurer, Mrs S. Fredriksen : VicePresident, Mrs McCaw ; White Ribbon Superintendent, Miss M. AlUcn. It was decided to hold the next meeting May 17, Mrs Oldham to be asked to attend in order to discuss and explain departments to be taken up. Mrs Torklesen kindly hospitised me while staying in this lovely little township.

From Hawke’s Bay I travelled to the Waikato and was there three days. 1 visited Mrs Auld, Hamilton’s President, and she reported good work and keen interest displayed by the surrounding auxiliaries. Little Kihi Kihi, another brave Union of Mctapu’s stamp, are anxious for me to visd them, and I sincerely hope I can spare a dav* before my term closes. Wal k w orth lias also written for me to organise three Unions in their district before I give up the work. <hi my way to Tauranga I met Mrs Hunter, l'uakau’s President, who gave a good report of work by surrounding Unions. At Tauranga, one of Now Zealand’s prettiest little seaside towns, I found a Union although practically working in the dark, as they have received no outside help since being organised that is anxious to do all in their power to cope with the grea f existing evil in their midst. They have had hard battles to tight and I think have come out of them better equipped for further mamoiivies. Miss corley, whom most of the old members will remember, has come to reside in Tauranga and has been unpointed President, and will no doubt prove a g.eat help. While in Tauranga I was kindly hospitised by Mrs A. K. Hammond. This Union was prepared to send a delegate to Convention but were so out of tiie working of things that Convention was over before they realised it. I hope their District l uion will give them all information in ample time next year, so that a Delegate can represent them at Convention.

After an adventurous trip I arrived at Opotiki. Here I tind again the Union working as best they can w ithout even a constitution to help them. Nevertheless, from what I can learn they have worked well and are anxious to take up Departments needed in their district. Opotiki is very isolated, but a town that has a great future—wonderful land and a glorious climate, and I believe will have a railway at no distant date.

The travelling in this district is both arduous and expensive, and I hope, now that I am this far, to he able to organise at Taneatua and Whakatane, two rising townships further along the coast. I believe at both places there are splendid Temperance workers. There is a great field of work for the Maori Organiser in this district. I believe there are hundreds of Maoris right through the Bay of Plenty. They are fairly well educated and are well blessed with worldly goods, hut a great deal of drunkenness exists.

I have to acknowledge X 1 Ns, received from the Hastings Union, for the Organising Fund. I hope to go north of Auckland the* third week in May. Please address any correspondence “ Auckland P. 0,” 1 remain, Yours in the work, Jean Mi Nki S|(.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/WHIRIB19120518.2.7

Bibliographic details

White Ribbon, Volume 17, Issue 203, 18 May 1912, Page 5

Word Count
816

ORGANISERS REPORT. White Ribbon, Volume 17, Issue 203, 18 May 1912, Page 5

ORGANISERS REPORT. White Ribbon, Volume 17, Issue 203, 18 May 1912, Page 5