News of the Unions.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 263, 18 May 1917, Page 13

News of the Unions.

(The Editor cannot promise to niseit anythng in the next issue that does not reach her by the *Slh of the month. Correspondents, are requested to write their Reports as concisely as possible, on one side of the paper only. Newspaper cuttngs are unsuitable.) AUCKLAND. April 4. Attendance large. . Mrs Lee-Cowie outlined the scheme few securing Nat.on.ll Prohibition during the war. Mrs Cowie announced that cables had been sent to Mr Lloyd George, Hon. Massey, and Sir Joseph Ward. Seven new members. April 25. Preceded by 1 prayer meeting. Letters of sympathy sent to bereaved members. Miss Weymouth reported having received a letter from Bishop Averill introducing her to clergy and laity in his diocese, and bespeaking support for her in her temperance crusade. One member from each Branch Union appointed Special Committee for campaign work. May 21. Mrs Taylor gave a full report of Convention, and was heartily thanked for same. STRATFORD. April 4. Unanimously resolved: “That a letter be sent to the President of A. ar.d P. Association asking that the liquor bar and travelling shows of a doubtful character be excluded from the Stratford Annual Show. S x OYIO k petitions being freely signed, and opinion expressed that the time is ripe for a mighty effort for total prohibition. May 2. Resolved: “That the Stratford W.C.T.U. invite the Christian women of all denominations to meet in the Methodist Church on Tuesday afternoons to pray for the abolition of the drink traffic.” Two itembers transferred from other Unions. DUNEDIN. >. April 3. Mrs Adams presiding. Fair attendance. The need of putting women on St hool Committees was emphasised. The members were urged to take interest in the municipal elections, and return members opposed to the liquor trade. May 1. Splendid attendance, Mrs Hiett presiding. Attention called to Municipal and School Committee elections. Mrs Hiett spoke of necessity o{ securing* new subscribers to the “White Ribbon.” Arrangements made to distribute the Manifesto. NGAERE. April. A number of members assembled to say “Good-bye” to Mr Dyson Ellis, who was going into camp on active service, On behalf

of Union, the President presented Mr Ellis, who is an honorary im mber of the Union, w.th .1 wristlet watch, and wished him God-speed. April 3. L.T.L. meeting to be arranged. Delegate's report of Convent on read. Decided to make up flannelette garments for Red Cross. May 1. At Mrs Wickham’s. Nine present. Arrangements for canvassing with early closing petition. Paper from “White Ribbon’’ read bv Miss Ellis. TAKAPUNA. March 5. Mrs Fulljames (President) introduced Miss Weymouth, who gave an address on the Social Evil. Letter of thanks from Navy League for parcel of 49 garments for minesweepers. April 5. Mrs Duxfield spoke on work among young people. A programme of aggressive work was decided upon. April 17. Home meeting at Mrs Penning s. Address by Miss Powell. May 3. Mrs Fuljames in chair, 13 present. Mrs Penning read report of Convention. MAT AURA. Feb. 23. Paper on Liquor Traffic read by the President. Letter from a soldier at the Front telling of the evil drink does there. Mrs Reid (former President) made a life member. M arch 30. Address on l< mperance work given by Mr Poole. NO NAME GIVEN. March 15. Six members present, Mrs Lees in the chair. The President read article on temperance work. Discussion on L.T.L. work. Final arrangements for meetings postponed till tiext meeting. NORMAN BY. March 13. Home Meeting at Mrs Barkla’s. Address by Mrs Blamires. Five new members. £l3 raided at refreshment tent, to be used for comforts for the boys at the Front. Afternoon tea served. April it. Nine present. Vote of sympathy to Mrs Cocker. Report of Convention given by delegate. GREYTOW N\ April 24. Mrs Whincop presided. Mrs Banks gave a report of Convention. Mrs Lee-Cowie was asked to send copies of Manifesto for National Prohibition. Two new members for “White Ribbon. KAIAPOI. March 28. Letters of sympathy passed. Agreed to ask for proxy on the Canterbury Band of Hope Union. Two prizes offered for boy and girl who gain most recruits during the session. Miss Elsie Gawith’s prize essay in March “White Ribbon” was read,

MOR KINSVILLE. April. A v sit by Miss Powell grijith cnj>yed by all Gl.id to report a revival of interest and an in- ( 1 e.ise of membership from (» to 20. TIM ARIL March 27. Mrs Brooker presided. Attendance, 33. Successful Cradle Roll picnic reported: also good month at the Seamen’s Rest. Regret expressed at the resignation of Mr and Mrs Good, and Mr Moidton, a returned soldier, placed in char ire of the Rest. April 24. Mrs Rule gave a full and most interesting report of Convention. Reports received from hospital visitors. Reported that new caretaker has entered upon his duties at the Sailors’ Rest. WELLINGTON DISTRICT. March. Special meeting, Mr C. M. Luke presiding. Mrs Lee-Cowie spoke on 6 o’clock campaign in N SW., and of temperance work in other parts of British Empire, and regretted that New Zealand had done so little to reduce tin* hours of sale of strong drink. Mrs Ballantyne spoke of mission work in Papua. \ otes of thanks to the speakers heartily carried. Mrs Bott sang two songs during the evening M ay 3. Mrs Moulder presided over a good attendance. Mrs Dennett gave a good report of Convention. Decided that Mrs Evans speak on the resolutions of C onvention at our next meeting. Superintendents elected: Home Meetings and Notable Days, Mesdames Wright and Bott; Cradle Roll, Mrs Logan; Backblocks and Sabbath Observance, Mrs Boxall; Railway Boxes, Mrs Briarley; Good Citizenship, Mrs Evans, M.A. ; Evangelistic. Mrs Wright; Literature, Mrs Houlder; Patriotic Work, Mrs Mounter. WANGANUI EAST. March. Mrs Duxfield presided. President read an article on “Russian Savings Under Prohibition.” Rev. Radford delivered an address on the Proh bit on movement, and then presented prizes for Temperance essay to (1) F.rnest Walpole, (2) Edna Andrew, (t) Elaine Hair. Delegates appointed to annual meeting of Prohibition League. One new member. April 27. President in chair, 16 present. Reports on 6 o’clock closing petition very <*n< ouraging. Members urged to procure new subscribers to “White Ribbon.” Manifestos distributed, and all decided to help. One member transferred, and one newone. Mrs Napier spoke fully on Strength of Nation Movement, and received a hearty vote of thanks. HAMILTON EAST. March 16. Branch inauugurated by Miss Powell. Mrs Lee-Cowie gave an address. Officers elected : Pres., Mrs Snow; Sec., Mrs Ogilvie, Firth

Sturt; 1 rcas., Mrs G.. Jack. Macfurlane Strt*«*t; Yice-Pres., Mesdames McArthur and Mcacham; Cradle Roll, Mrs Mears. Decided to meet on the third Tuesday. Mrs Auld and Miss Matthews also spoke. Membership, 23. March 27. Attendance fair. Mrs Snow in chair, and gave a talk on Purity. CHRISTCHURCH. March 2(>. Mrs McCombs presided. Attendance good. Mrs Wicks appointed delegate to a meeting held to discuss management of picture shows. Mrs Dymond and Miss Cordon appointed delegates to Canterbury Provincial Convention. April 25. Decided to take steps to further the election of women on School Committees. The President read an address on growth of prohibition in America. Parcels of socks, shirts, handkerchiefs, etc., were sent to Red Cross and Lady Liverpool Depots. Meeting held and address given on Strength of Nation Movement by Mrs Lee-Cowie, and plans of work outlined. Deep regret was expressed at the resignation of Mrs McCombs, and decided to put on record the Union’s high sense of Mrs Me Comb’s services and noble personality, and its sorrow at her withdrawal from oflice. WELLINGTON CENTRAL. March. Mrs Atkinson appointed delegate to Convention. April 20. Well-attended meeting, Mrs Atkinson presiding. Decided to affiliate with the* National Council of Women. Mrs Atkinson gave a full report of Convention. Decided to join with the District Union in a weekly prayer meeting. April 3. Home meeting at Mrs Port’s. Address by Mrs Peryman, Kditor of ‘ White Ribbon,” and former Vice President of the Union, who spoke of the Convention decision to work for National Prohibition, also urging members to win the womanhood of this Dominion for the Temperance cause. She also spoke of temptations for soldiers to drink, stating that from her window at Port Chalmers were to be seen five hotels grouped round the railway station and wharves, where soldiers land or embark. Votes of thanks to hostess and performers. BLUFF. April 17. Band of Hope meeting, over 100 children present. Rev. Fowles in chair, and gave an address on “Kvil Effects of Alcohol on ‘ the Body. ” April 20. Farewell to Mrs Mathieson, an earnest worker for many years. President. on behalf of Union, presented her with handsome Doulton ware bowl. Afternoon tea and a short programme.

May 2. Harvest Festival and concert, Mayor presiding. Band of Hope children successfully rendered a pretty operetta, entitled “The Seasons,” and signalling and ambulance demonstration by Boy Scouts. Songs and recitations. Proceeds, £l3. May 5. Decided to distribute Manifesto to all public bodies. c- . * 1 WANGANUI. May 4. Mrs Smith presiding. Good attendance. Arrangements made for distributing the Manifesto. Mrs R Smith gave a splendid report of Convention. Mrs Upton also spoke. OXFORD. March. Frances W’illard Day celebrated. Vote of sympathy to Mrs Henderson. Decided to assist with petition for 6 o’clock closing. Mrs Comyns read a paper on Frances Willard, written by Mrs Don (President). One new member. Feb. 2Q. Votes of sympathy to Miss Wilson and Mrs Bain. KAIKORAI. March. Mrs Dick presiding. N otes of sympathy accorded to Mrs Sessions and Mrs Somerville. Cottage meeting arranged for. Decided to nominate two ladies for School Committees, April 28. Mrs Hiett presiding. Five new members as a result of home meeting at Mrs Strong’s. Decided to hold another me*mg for young people. WOODVILLE. April 25. Mrs Perkins presided. Attendance good. President read a paper on “Effects of Alcohol on Liver and Kidneys.’’ Decided to obtain signatures for 6 o’clock closing petition. Mrs Lawn, a visitor from Rrefton, addressed the meeting. GREYMOUTH. Feb. Frances W illard Day. A brief outline of her life given by Captain Inglis, S.A. Rev. Smyth also spoke. April 10. Resolutions re picture shows on Sunday, appointment of women police, the economic and industrial waste of the liquor trade, and cost of living problems were passed unanimously. NELSON. March 13. Mrs Watson presided. .Resolved that representatives of Union should attend Brightwater meetings to assist. A letter of farewell and appreciation to be sent to Rev .and Mrs Lambert. Attention called to municipal elections. April 17. Special meeting, well attended. Report of Convention given by Mrs Emmett and Mrs Judson, ,

OPOTIKI. April. A well-2* tended mewting. Mrs Francis gave her report of Convention, which was extremely interesting. Mrs Goodall, also present at Convention, made some interesting remarks on what she had seen and heard. After tea was served, we were pleased to enrol two new members. N.E. VALLEY. March 26. Mrs Peart presided, and spoke earnestly of the necessity for work. Rev. Dawson spoke on six o’clock closing petition, and the meeting unanimously promised to assist with the canvassing. Mrs Robertson elected Rec. Secretary. PORT CHALMERS. April 16. Miss Grono presiding. 12 members present. Musical and elocutionary items we re rendered, and an address by Mrs Peryman. Three new members. AVONDALE. April. Miss Weymouth gave an address on the W.C.T.U., its origin and work. 21 ladies present. Miss Entrican in the chair. It was resolved to form a Branch in Avondale, and following officers were elected:— Pres., Mrs Stevens; Vice-Pres., Mrs Morgan and Mrs Nesbitt; Sec., Miss Entrican; Ass. Sec., Mrs G reeve s ; Treas., Mrs Walker; “WR.” Supt., Miss R. Thomas. GISBORNE. April 24. 13 present. Arrangements made for distributing the Manifesto. Decided to send a 'small memento to Mrs Lee, an .old and faithful member, who hag gone to reside in Auckland. HAWERA. April 26. Mrs Bone presided. 17 present. Sister Nellie appointed Vice-President. Mrs Browne read the report of Convention sent by our proxy. Mrs Napier delivered an address on our work in Scotland. Mrs Blamires thanked Mrs Napier for her address. ASHBURTON. April. Captain Butterick, of S.A., delivered a most interesting address, dealing with the management of their Industrial Homes. May. Mrs Watson presided. Attendance large. All agreed to throw their energies into the Strength of the Nation Movement. Mrs Robinson gave a report cf Convention. The President presented Mrs Dent with a leather purse, and expressed the regret .of the Union at losing her services by her removal to Marlborough. One new member. Mrs I.ill presented Mrs Munro With a small gift from the Union,

FEILDING. May 3. Attendance fair. Mrs Beattie presided. Miss Jordan pave a fine report of Convention. Mrs Napier spoke on our work in Scotland. \ otes of thanks to Miss Jordan and Mrs Napier. WAITOA. . April 18. At Mrs Perrott’s. Attendance, 8 ; new members, 4 ; new subscribers “White Ribbon,” 2. May 2. At Mrs Black s. Attend ance, 7; new members, 2 ; new subscribers “White Ribbon,” 2. May 1. L.T.L. started with 20 members. WANGANUI Y’s. April 23. 30 present. One new member initiated. Mrs Napier Rave a splendid address, and urged the grirls to remember it was a Christian Union, and to keep close to our Heavenly Father. Collection, 10s 2d

L.T.L.

PALMERSTON NORTH. March 22. West Knd Branch. Address by Rev. Haslem on ‘Honesty.’’ Good attendance. Part of collection donated to Sick and Wounded Fund. Feb. 9. Campbell Street Branch. Attendance good, and officers elected. Mr Low, headmaster of College Street School, gave an address on “Food” on March 16. March 3. United picnic. Games and afternoon tea filled in a pleasant afternoon. March 14. Ten are Knd Branch. Officers elected. A Boy Scouts team was formed, and a Girls’ First Aid Class.