Union News

White Ribbon, Volume 26, Issue 12, 1 May 1955, Page 8

Union News

Tauranga. Frances Willard Day observed. Mrs. Christian present. Mrs. Williamson presiding. Several articles brought by Mrs. Christian were read by members. Mr». Munro told ot having s»*en Miss Willard at a Christian Endeavour meeting in London, many years ago. A vigorous discussion took place as to whether we could invite the Dominion Convention to Tauranga next year, and it was decided we would, with Mrs. Christian’s vision and planning and the offered help of Miss McLay. N*w Plymouth, Feb. .Mrs. Atkins presided. Thanks ex* pressed to Baptist Church for use of facilities while Whiteley Methodist Hall is being rebuilt; hence change of meeting day. Painting of Seamens Rest completed. Discussion re visits to ships and work among seamen and women members of crews and wives accompanying husbands on voyages. Activities for coming year discussed. Street Day to be applied for, held in conjunction with Mart for Seamen’s Rest. Miss Matheson to be N.C.W. delegate. Mrs. Powell Convention delegate. Springlcnda, ..Feb. Good attendance. President Mrs. McDougall in chair. One new member. Devotions taken by Mrs. Leslie from Ps. 46. Roll Call answered by Scripture verses. Decided to ask Blenheim delegate to represent us at Convention. Syllabus for year arranged. Members urged to attend Womens World Day of Prayer. President read interesting account of life and work of Frances Willard, our W.C.T.U. Founder.

Nelson, Feb. Mrs. Rankin presided and conducted devotions. \ lsitors from Hasting and Wanganui welcomed. The resignation of the Sec. was received with regret. Mrs. W. Ross was welcomed to the position. Sympathy expressed with Mrs. Lummis in the death of htr husband. Mrs. Toon.er spoke on Frances Willard Day. Best Flower Competition: 1 Mrs. Pearce, 2 Miss Holdawav. Stoki* held its first meeting Oct. 1954 with five new members initiated by the Pres,, Mrs. Polyglasr. In November, four more members received. Christmas Party held and visiting artists entertained us. An address was given by Mrs. roomer. February we gained three more members. Pres., Mrs. Polyglase; Sec., Mrs. Eden; Treas., Mrs. Smart. Spreydon, Feb. Mis. L. H. Woodcock, Pres., warmly welcomed members. A good attendance present. Devotions were taken b> Mrs. H. L. Heec. Much business discussed. Mrs. McKenzie from Nelson welcomed. Pledge repeated. New Brighton, Feb. Mrs. Wnghton presided and was appointed delegate to Invercargill. Congratulations sent to Mrs. Duncan, a former President on the occasion of their golden wedding. Remits discussed. Mental Hospital patients were given a Christmas Party and gifts. Arrangements made to help with District Garden Party. Mrs. Wrighton and Mrs. F.dmond thanked for arranging and visiting at Mental Hospital. North Canteibury Executive, Feb. iffiths presided. Convention Remits discussed. District Garden Party being held at home of Mrs. Ewart-Smith on 19th March. VicePresident, Mrs. E. R. Clarke was presented with a gift and good wishes for her forthcoming trip to England. Timaru, 22nd Feb. Mrs. Hoidgate in chair. Devotions led by Mrs. Shaw. Decided to arrange meeting for Miss Jackson, Dorn. Supt., Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen, as she returns from Convention. Cardie Roll party to be held in March. Busy Christmas season at Sailors' Rest. Parcels fiven to Seamen in port much appreciated. Paj>er on I ranees Willard read. Good sales table and collection. Sth. Canterbury Diat. Exec., Feb. Bth. All Unions represented. Much discussion on remits for Convention and other problems dealing with our work. Members urged to take more interest in election of Licensing Committees. Mrs. Sole to represent District at Convention. Mrs. Dellow presided. Wellington District Executive, Feb 24th. Miss Jackson presided, also taking devotions. Brooklyn Union were hostesses and Mrs. Reed welcomed delegates. Letters received from Mrs. J. H. Grigg from overseas and from Miss C. E. Kirk, who had been made a Life Vice-President. Mrs. F. Grigg, Karori President, has compiled a letter or use in gaining new members. 500 copies to be printed. Proposed that District set aside at least £2O each year for a Convention fund to be taken from our October sale of work, in preparation or the time of Dominion Convention being held in Wellington. Visits to Porirua Hospital visited by individual members. Unions asked to “adopt” patients and visit regularly. Assistance given to Prisoners’ Aid Society. Prayer asked or Carterton Union in their efforts to secure leaders Wellsford, March 29th. Mrs. D. Browne led devotions. One new member welcomed. C.R. Party afternoon arranged for April. Mrs. Moore, Warkworth President, to be guest speaker. Mrs. Singleton reported on Dom. Convention and members very interested. Slogan with its aims for 1955 emphasised. Successful monthly Bring and Ruv. Auckland District Executive, 4th April. Miss Appleby conducted devotions. Mrs. R. Clarke gave'Temperance Fact. Mrs. Mountjoy reported on Maori Girls’ Hostel and Social Afternoon there. A School of Methods to be held before Mav Dist. Executive. Mrs. A. T. Richards gave quite a concise report of Convention and work done there. The following remit from Onehunga was passed: "That, in

future, at Licensing Committee Election Poll time, cards with uames of candidates, and places of polliug be printed and made available to Churches, no later than one Sunday before the Election.”

Remuera, 29th March. Mrs. Laird presided and Devotions were taken by Mrs. Ibbetson. Members engaged iu prayer. A visitor from Blenheim brought greetings from her Union. Mrs. Kelsey, who represented our Union at the Convention, gave a very interesting report. KoFi-St. Heliers, 17th March. At home of Mrs. Phillips. Mrs. Pearson led devotions, reading from Psalm BV. Special piayer for Mrs. lames at loss of her grand-daughter, who was drowned. Mrs. Phillips read Temperance Fact. Mrs. Kasper congratulated Mrs. Phillips on her Golden Wedding celebration in January. Talk on Frances Willard. Discussion on changing name of W.C.T.U. Passed, that name be retained as at present. Mrs. Biddle appointed Executive representative. New Plymouth, March. A very well attended meeting, and usual business transacted. Seameu’s Rest painted and now faded curtains being replaced. Three items thoroughly enjoyed, Mrs. Mullon, vocal; Mrs. Jackson, pianoforte, and Mrs. Browne, elocutionary. A splendid Convention report was given by Mrs. Poweil. We were much encouraged to receive silver vase for most new members for 1954. We hope to have a street day and Mart for Seamen’s Rest later on.

Springlands, 15th March. Mrs. MclXougall in the chair. Mrs. Brookes, in taking devotions, spoke from theme of “A building not made with hands,” for the Maker of Home is God. Prayer for journeying mercies for Mrs. Underhill as she leaves with her husband and daughter for England. A new member welcomed. Roll Call. Members asked to assist with sorting clothing for Corso. Mrs. McDougal! appointed N.C.W. Delegate. Christchurch, March. Mrs H. A. Hunt was in the chair and also conducted devotions. It was reported that members had helped with the Garden Party in March and this had been highly successful. An invitation to Spreydon Union Birthday Party was accepted. Mrs. Hunt gave an inspiring account of the recent Convention in Invercargill. Miss Musgrove closed with prayer. Ricc&rton, 10th March. !n absence of President at Convention, Mrs. A. T. Newth presided. Miss L. Hughes took the devotions. Reports were given of the Executive meeting, the Christchurch Area of N.Z. Alliance, and of the visit to Mental Hospital. Members reminded of Garden Party at Home of Mrs Ewart Smith for Executive Funds. Mrs. Newth gave an interesting talk on “Pioneer Women of the W.C.T.U.”

New Brighton, March 15th. Mrs. Edmond presided and led the devotions. £1 had been received from District Executive for Mental Hospital work. Patients at Mental Hospital had been visited. A donation of 16/6 and gifts had been sent for District Garden Party. A Paper on Pioneers, written by Mrs. Archer was read by Mrs. Mitchell. Dunedin Central, March 29th. Mrs. Hiett, wf o r esided, also took the devotions. Two sacred solos sung Dy Mrs. Scott, accompanied on the organ by Mrs. Drew. One new member enrolled. Letter received from Australia from former interested member. Convention reports read by two delegates, and Mrs. Hiett reported that, at a meeting held the evening following the close of Convention, If new members were enrolled for North Invercargill. South Dunedin, February. President Mrs. F. Jones presided over good attendance, including Mrs. Flett, District President. The Union paid tribute to Mrs. V. Hazelwood, who recently celebrated her 90th birthdav. and presented her with a spray. Items were rendered by Misses I. Mathers and R. Mereton. March. We celebrated “Frances Willard Day” and members read from a booklet, “Now it Began”, which our President acquired on a recent visit to Australia. During the reading, we learned the origin of the Crusade Psalm, atid so refreshed our memory of it, by a responsive reading. Several members gave their impressions of Convention. Mrs. Crieghton conducted devotions and president was in the chair.

Tauranga. Mrs. Williamson in the chair. Mrs. Christian present. Mi3s McMillan took devotions, the theme being Faith anu Prayer, stressing the great need for both in our proposed effort next March, in having Dominion Convention her;. Several took part in prayer. Mrs. Munro read a paper, showing how alcohol affects the body, especially the brain. *-

FeiUfing, March. President in the chair and Mrs. J. Smith led the devotions. Roll call on “Peace” brought manv thoughts. Secretary reported Dist. Executive meeting in Palmerston North. April. Mrs. Tavlor in chair, also took devotions. Two new members enrolled. One member called to Higher Service since last meeting. A goodly array of gifts was the result of our appeal for articles for Seamen’s Rest. Mrs. Burnham, Levin, gave an excellent report of the Dominion Convention. Timaru, March 29th. Mrs. Smith presided and Mrs. Hoidgate took devotions from “White Ribbon”. Roll call from word “Goodness”, Arrangements made to entertain

Fireside Club members at April meeting. Three members to represent Union at Methodist Guild afternoon. Members to assist in selling Anzac poppies. Sailors’ Rest an afternoon to entertain and meet Miss V. Jackson. Mrs. Sole gave part of Convention Report.