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White Ribbon, Volume 44, Issue 533, 18 May 1940, Page 2

giene; 111, Scientific Instruction; IV, Sunday School work; V, Juvenile work; VI, Temjierance Literature; VII, Influencing the Press; VIII, Evangelistic Work; IX, Prisons and Police Stations; X, Railway Work; XI, Soldiers and Sailors; XII, Unfcrmented Wine; XIII, Young W omen’s Work; XIV, Drawing Room Meetings; XV, Kitchen Gardens; XVI, Flower Missions; XVII, Provincial and Count;’ Fairs; XVIII, Legislation and Petitions; XIX, Work Among Maoris; XX, Impure Literature; XXI, Suppression of the Social Evil FOUR DOMINION PRESIDENTS. The first Dominion President, Mrs. Dudley Ward, was the wife of Judge Ward, and was a woman of great dignity. In 1887, Mrs. Emma Packe, wife of Lieut.-Colonel Packe, and a member of the Christchurch branch, was elected Dominion President. Personal recollections are of the rather austere personality which often accompanied earnestness and good works. As it was not possible in those days to purchase a cup of tea at the Christchurch Show Grounds, Mrs. Packe undertook to persuade one of the local confectioners to undertake a booth at the Show' Grounds and to supply cup* of tea at 3d. each. From shop to shop she went, meeting with a courteous bu* decided refusal on the score of expense. Then the Union decided to undertake the task, which it carried out for about 40 years. Another recollection is of Mrs. Packe’s gift of a small hall for the use of jockey boys at Riccarton. Lieut.-Col. Packe, late of the Indian Army, lived at Riccarton, and his wife was much concerned at the lack of provision for the • recreation of the lads who were otherwise driven to frequent the hotels. Mrs. I'acke approached the authorities, and they granted a small piece of land at a corner of the Racecourse Reserve and Yaldhurst Road, and Mrs. Packe provided the hall. This gift was much appreciated, and was constantly used by the lads for many years, for singing, dancing, and games. Mrs. Fulton, wife of the Hon. John Fulton, of Dunedin, became Dominion President in 1890-91, and it w r as during her term of office that a petition containing 10,085 signatures for Women’s Franchise was presented to Parliamentthe Hon. John Fulton presenting it to the Upper House.