IN THE FIELD.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 243, 18 September 1915, Page 2

IN THE FIELD.

On Tuesday, August 10th, I travelled to Lower Ilutt to attend the ordinary meeting of the Union. There was an improved attendance, and two new members were initiated. Mrs Knight reported that the sandbags for the front were about finished, and the Defence Department had been communicated with, asking that they might be forwarded with the 6th Expeditionary Force for the use of our own boys. On the Thursday Mesdames Wright and Cummings gave an “At Home” in the Constable Street Rooms, Wellington, when four new members were received.

On the previous Sabbath I had conducted the morning service in the Ngaio Methodist Church, and on the Friday afternoon the monthly meeting of the Union took place, one new member joining. The intervening days had been occupied with visiting in Ngaio, as far as other engagements permitted. While thus occupied Mrs Peryman was my hostess, and we had a good time chatting over the work every evening. At the August meeting of the Masterton Branch I had met Mrs Whincop, of Greytown, who kindly invited me to make her house my home while ascertaining the prospects of a local branch. Thither I travelled on 14th, passing through Trentham, where the .Sixth was entraining for Wellington and the front. Khaki, khaki, everywhere, and dear, brave laddies going off to —what? As they lustily cheered a khaki-clad figure on our train my eyes brimmed over, but wasn’t I just proud of them !

On Tuesday (17th) I gave a talk on “Lovers” in the Presbyterian Schoolroom, the audience being numerous. Two kind ladies made a cup of tea for a few of us at the close, and some purity literature was disposed of. The following Sunday evening I conducted the service in the Presbyterian Church, a number of troopers being present. During the previous week the Rev. G. K. Stowell (Presbyterian) had been in Greytown, and, hearing of the lecture to the girls, had invited me to give it in Featherston, offering to entertain Mrs Whincop and myself. Rev. Bartlett, vicar, kindly offered the use of his schoolroom, and on the Monday evening lit up and did ail he

could to make things comfortable, Mr Stowell having done his best to make the meeting known. A very fair audience gathered, although the day had been very wet and unpromising. About half-way through a diversion was created by the acetylene gas expiring, but as the platform had been provided with candles, we placidly pursued the even tenour of our way, though some amusement was caused by the lady who took up the collection proceeding with a saucer in one hand and a candle in the other, some of the audience being apprehensive lest peradventure they might contribute half-sovereigns instead of sixpences! Before* leaving the following morning we called upon two ladies who had been present at the lecture, and secured them as subscribers to our paper.

About ten days having been spent in visiting Greytown, the crisis arrived on the FridaY, when I called a meeting in the Oddfellows’ Hall, and a strong branch was organised. Altogether over a fortnight was spent at Greytown, a few days being taken off to attend the Provincial Convention in Wellington, where two representatives o r the branch only five days old were enthusiastically welcomed. The White Ribbonless condition of Greytown appears to have been weighing upon the minds of our workers in Wellington and Wairarapa for some time, and the pleasure at a good start having been made was proportionate. On the Sunday evening friends from Morrison’s Bush motored in to Greytown for me, and I conducted., 4 service in the little Presbyterirta Church. At the close the at my request, kept their seats, aftd Mrs Whincop got around among t’nefn with the Kitchener pledge, ten signatures being obtained, chiefly those of voung men. M. S. POWELL, Dominion Organiser. Miss Powell’s address this month is care Mrs Denton, 324, The Terrace, Wellington.