DISTRICT EXECUTIVE.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 404, 18 March 1929, Page 3

DISTRICT EXECUTIVE.

NORTH CANTERBURY. Mar. 6. Miss Henderson presided; 14 Unions represented. In connection with Church appeals, over 100 new members had been gained. Miss Blackwell spoke on need of getting women on School Committees. Unions reported good opening meetings. Increased membership and Cradle Roll and L.T.L. work earnestly taken up. Vote of thanks to Mrs T. E. Taylor and Miss LovellSmith on successful Y.P. Rally; a most enjoyable function, attended by over 300 young people. It was held in the beautiful grounds of Mrs T. E. Taylor, and Rev. Robertson gave a most interesting address on“ The Nature and Effects of Alcohol.” Eight new members. Next Executive on April 10th. TARANAKI DISTRICT. A School of Methods, organised by the Taranaki District Executive, was conducted at Ngaere Gardens, on February 27th. Miss C. M. McLay, ”Y” Organiser, acted as Head, and Mrs Phillips, District President, as assistant. The School was held in the openair, and the conditions were ide\l. Bright sunshine, grassy lawm, shaded by trees of oak, elm, and many others, flower beds glowing with gladiolias, asters, etc., together with a hot-house, radiant with begonias and ferns, in the background, native bush, with miniature lakes gleaming amongst the foliage, tended to increase the pleasure of the outing. The monkey cages came in for some attention from the students. There were those who speculated on Darwin’s theory, but we missed the link. The Gallery of Mirrors caused much hilarity. The “Y” Organiser was notec. admiring her (for once) plumb proportions in one. The first session of '.he School assembled at 11 a.m.. ii a shady nook; 36 students we-e present. Miss McLay opened w'th singing, prayer, and Scripture lesson, then proceeded to demonstrate how a Model Union would conduct a meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting v/ere read and passed. The TV""rpp read a report of the flourishing condition of the I nion

finances. Mrs Phillips, commenting upon the report, called the President’s attention to the number ot members who were not wearing their White Bows, and asked that the Treasurer might he allowed to collect the fine of one penny each. The Cradle Roll and White Ribbon Superintendents reported on the work of their Departments. The President, Miss McLay, in the absence of other speakers, gave a fine address entitled, ‘‘Mothers in Israel,” dealing with the influence of mothers upon the characters of their children, as depicted in the stories of Rebecca and Racheal, allowing how Rebecca taught her sons deceit and dishonesty, while Racheal brought up her two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. in an atmosphere of love and truth. She told us, in her sweet rippling voice, with its Scottish lilt, how women throughout the ages had been the inspirers to great deeds, aud how the women of U.S.A. had worked for 135 years in the cause of Temperance, and how at last they had, by millions of votes, made Prohibition sure for all time. We then adjourned for lunch; everyone had their own baskets, but we spread a long table, and all gathered around, a very happy band At 2 p.m. the School reopened with devotional exercises. Speeches prepared. and impromptu, was the programme. Prepared Speech: “What ihe District Executive Stands For,” M’s Phillips. Paper read, “How to Win our Young 'People,” Mrs Davis, the newly-appointed Superintendent of the Stratford “Y’s.” Impromptu Speeches: “Our Motto," Mrs Mackinder: “Why do I Belong to the W.C.T.U. ?” Miss Crozier, President of the Eltham “Y’s "; “Liberty,” Mrs Davis; “My Reason for Voting Prohibition,” Mrs Bowlan; “Children, Our Best Assets,” Mrs Lithgow. Own Subjects: “God, A Present Help,” Mrs Stunners; “The Busy Bee,” Mrs Green. Prepared Speech: Mrs Phillips, first. Mrs Phillips handed her prize to Miss Crozier. who had done so well in the impromptu speeches. Impromptu Speech: Mrs Mackinder, first. This brought the afternoon session to a close; in all. about 50 attended in the afternoon. Afternoon tea was handed round, and a vote of

thanks to the Ngaere Union for arranging the details. '’’he Executive are greatly indebted to Miss McLay for the way in which «ht ; a. ried the programme through. Had it not been for her foresight and advice, the School could not have proved such a success.