UNION NEWS

White Ribbon, Volume 25, Issue 4, 1 July 1953, Page 8

UNION NEWS

Dargaville, May. Cradle Roll Tarty. Mrs. Jolly presided and devotions were taken by Mrs. S. S. Green. Mrs. Kitto, Salvation Army, Rave a splendid address on the word “Mother”, taking each letter separately. Mrs. Fitness and girls gave two items, the gaily coloured ribbons from their tambourines attracting the children’s attention. Twenty children wearing coloured paper hats sat down to prettily decorated tables, and were served with fruit salad, jellies, cakes, etc. Unfortunately, school holidays prevented several from attending. Afternoon tea was served to members and friends. Auckland District Mother's Day, May 10th. The meeting was held in the Pitt Street Methodist Bi-Centenary Hall, wit; the District President, Mrs. A. T. Richards, presiding. Following the National Anthem, Mrs. T. H. F.ccersall led in prayer. Musical items were presented by Mesdames C. Reay and D. McMahon and the girls from the Maori Hostel. Mrs. Hambly was the pianist. The guest speaker, Mrs. I. D. Jensen, gave an outstanding address for “Mother’s Day . Mrs A Kasper expressed thanks on behalf of the Executive. Benediction. Auckland District Executive, May 25th. Mrs. Richards presided and Miss J. Campbell led devotions. Good attendance, representing 14 Unions. Mrs. Mount joy rejiorted on the work of the Girls’ Hostel, stating that the piano was now paid for. The educational tour of the Hospitals under the Auckland Board was described by the President. Y.W.C.A. announced a prayer meeting for Coronation Day. A resolution was passed regretting the likelihood of a combined poll in the King Country, and protesting again -t such a poll in view- of the decisive vote of the Maori people and the Government’s promise that this decision of the Maoris would be final. Northcote, May 12th. Cradle Roll party followed a short business meeting. Mrs. Wyatt, President, presided, and seve* teen children and mothers and members were present. “Whet: Mothers of Salem’’ was sung. Miss Wiggell gave an opening speech, Miss Piper a recitation, Mrs. Allely and M iss Piper a song. Games played were much enjoyed. The children. then had refreshments and the adults afteinoon tea. Prizes were presented to the Cradle Roll members by Mrs. Wright, C.R. Superintendent. Hawera. April meeting in Wesley Parlour. In the absence of Mrs. Goldsmith, Mrs. T. J. Hurrell, District Vice-President, presided, and led the devotions. Guest speaker was Mrs. T. Cox. of EithamT vho spoke on the Resolutions passed at Dominion Convention. Mrs. E. Johnson was organist and provided and served the afternoon tea. ■*

New Plymouth, May 27th. ’The President. Mrs. Exlev, presided, and welcomed Pastor Brownie, of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, who led the devotions. Three new members were initiated. Agreed to send a food parcel to F.ngland. Report of Seamen’s Rest and Rev. Phillips’ meeting. While quite in sympathy with the British Sailors’ Society, found thev could not amalgamate, but were in favour of their help being given in the entertainment of the men when a Social was given to the seamen. Mr. Piper, an ardent Temperance worker, gave a very interesting talk on the liquor question. Mrs. Simons rendered a solo. A good attendance of members. Christchurch. 67th Birthday of the Union was held in Cambridge Terrace Methodist S.S. when Mrs. Hunt presided over a large gathering of members and friends, including Presidents of other Unions, "and Mrs. Griffiths, President of the North Canterbury Executive. An enjoyable programme of songs was rendered by Mesdames Wilson and Bull and Miss* Mangels, and elocutionary items by Mrs. Woodcock. A special feature was the birthday cake, donated by Mrs. Lennon, and cut by Miss M. B. Lovell-Smith, who spoke on the early days of the Temperance Uidon. A delicious afternoon tea was served and votes of thanks to Mesdames Hunt and Lennon and to the artists closed the meeting.

Riccarton, May 14th. Mrs. Griffiths presided over a good attendance, taking the devotions from Psalms 22 to 21. Accepted Linwood’s Band of Hope invitation to their Annual Social. Temj>erance Quiz discussed. Mrs. Clarke gave an interesting and spiritual talk on Peace. Vote of thanks to the speaker. Benediction. —"

Spreydon Mrs. J. Griffiths, District President, was the guest speaker at the monthly meeting and gave a talk on “Peace”, culled from many sources, and disclosing the contradictory beliefs and views held by many individuals and organisations on this most important subject. Reports on Mental Hospital visiting and the lectures to Boys’ Brigade groups were also received, as well as the visit to the Bands of Hope social gathering. New Brighton, April. Mrs. Edmond, our President, was in the chair and conducted devotions. A motion of sympathy pa»sed with Mrs. Edmond in the loss of a son. Wreath placed on Cenotaph for Anzac Day. Mrs. Griffiths, North Canterbury District President, gave an interesting and comprehensive report of Dominion Convention.

May meeting presided over by the President, who led the devotions. Peace Day was observed, the speaker being Mrs. Neville, President of the Papanui Union. One new member welcomed. Eight patient* had been visited at the Mental Hospital. Four new babies had been added to the Cradle Roll. LATE REPORTS Birkenhead. One member transferred to Otahuhu. Members asked to make one garment each for the “Ellen Melville Memorial’’ Fund Fair in August. Mrs. Richards gave an interesting report of “A Tour of »hc Auckland Public Hospitals”, arranged by the N.C.W. Marlborough District Executive, Blenheim, May 14th. Blenheim and Springlands to combine for June 16th Day of Prayer. Donations passed—£2o to N.Z. Fund, £lO to “White Ribbon” Fund, and £5/5/- to local N.Z. Alliance. Delegates to N.C.W., Mesdames Eyles and Underhill, with substitutes Mesdames Gascoigne and Watson. Decided to commence advertising on screen and through newspaper. Classes to lie held for Temperance Quiz and to approach youth leaders and Sunday Schools. CR. and other Departmental work discussed. Springlands, May. Mrs. Gascoigne presided over good attendance. Reports given of District Executive and N.C.W. Mrs. Mcßae, District Peace St:pt., gave a very fine address on “Peace”. Arrangements for combined meeting for Day of l’raver and W.R. Day. Nelson District Executive, Richmond, May 19th. Mr*. Knapn, District President, in the chair, and devotions led by Mrs. E. Wilson, Vice-President. Uniofi reports encouraging. Letter to be sent to the local M.P. expressing deep concern at Government’s intention to hold a combined poll in the King Country on the liquor question. It was hoped to have Mrs. Toomer as guest speaker at District Convention. Nelson, May 12th. Mrs. Rankin presided and devotions taken by Capt. McCallum. Mrs. Walker presented with flowers in honour of her 80th birthday. A very successful party had been held for about 40 children who entered for the last Temperance Quiz. Guest speaker was a representative of Alcoholics Anonymous, who told of the work of this organisation, which had branches throughout N.Z. Best flower competition: Ist, Mrs. Pearce, Senr.; 2nd, Miss Holdaway. Lyttelton-Heathcote, May 26th. Meeting opened with the singing of “God save the Queen”. Discussion re Drink being taken into the King Country. Letter from Press read. Bring and Buy ferr funds realised £2. * President, Mrs. S. Tredennick; Secretary, Mrs. R. Preston; Treasurer, Mrs. Co vie Kohi-St. Heliers, May 21st. Mrs. A. Kasper presided over good attendance. Mrs. Pearson conducted devotions. A short talk on “Mother’s Day” was given by the President, who also reported on the Annua! Mother’s Day Meeting held in Pitt Street Methodist Hall under the District Executive. (Congratulations to Mrs. Kasper on the award of M.B.E. Ed.)