DISTRICT CONVENTIONS, 1956

White Ribbon, Volume 28, Issue 7, 1 December 1956, Page 7

DISTRICT CONVENTIONS, 1956

AUCKLAND DISTRICT CONVENTION The 33rd Convention commenced with a Church Parade at the Baptist Tabernacle on 30th Sept, where the Rev. J. Pritchard preached on the subject, “The commencement of the W hite Ribbon Movement in England in 1878, and how the Bow was chosen as their emblem.”

The following day, Mrs Richards, District President presided over a large and representative gathering of approximately 131) at a Reception to (lelegates in the Pitt Street Church Methodist Parlour. The Mayoress of Auckland, Mrs J. H. Luxford was welcomed and briefly addressed the meeting and was later presented with a gift of flowers. Representatives of various organisations brought greetings of goodwill. A good programme of musical and elocutionary items was presented. Mrs H. Kasper, M.8.E., presented Banners and Vases for work under the five-fold plan, for which Onehnnga came Ist with Birkenhead 2nd. For the largest number on the Cradle Roll, Takapuna was Ist with 180 and for the largest L.T.L. Birkenhead with a roll of 52.

Mrs B. Christopher led devotions on Tuesday morning. The Recording Secretary’s report, given by Mrs VV. Clarke, showed good work being done by the Executive and the Corresponding Secretary’s report given by Mrs Kelsey, showed that the Unions had done good work. Mrs Trussing, as Treasurer, presented a very satisfactory balance sheet.

Miss H. Grigg led noontide devotions. Mrs Mountjoy presented the Annual report and Balance sheet of the Maori Girl’s Hostel. As guest speaker, the Rev. L R. M. Gilmore gave a stirring address on “The problem of the Liquor Traffic, today.” The President conducted the Service of Memories and two sacred solos were re:tde r ed by Mrs McMahon. Mrs Freetnab of Mt. Albert Union was presented with a 30 years’ long service badge. 38 delegates were present at Convention. Wednesday’s sessions. Altogether 17 departmental reports were given, showing progressive work. Several new Supts. appointed. 10 remits were passed to forward to Dominion Convention. A silver vase was p esented to Papatoetoe Union for gaining the most members for the cradle roll — 25 names being added. All Officers re-elected.

SOUTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT CONVENTION Mrs Dewe, President, presided over a good delegation from Cambridge, Hamilton, Otorohanga, Tauratiga, Te Kuiti and Te Awamntu, at the Convention held in Te Awamutu on 20th Sept. Opening devotions were conducted by Mrs Heffernan, basing her meditation on 2 Cor. 10:4. Miss A. McLay presented the annual report showing the work to have gone on quietly, the President having addressed several groups of women, the list of scattered members has increased considerably. The financial position was very satisfactory, and it was_ agreed to purchase leaflets for distribution in 1957.

An interesting reooM on N.C.VV. activities was given by Mrs Moore of Hamilton. The election of officers was as follows: Pres., Mrs Dewe; Vive Presidents, Mesdaines Christian and Moore and Miss A McLay; Sec., Mrs Ogg and Treasurer, Mrs Eastwood.

Mrs Dewe expressed the thanks and appreciation ot the District to Miss A. McLay for her valuable and faithful services as District Secretary and presented her with a beautiful bouquet. Convention members joined in the sincere hope and prayer that Mrs Christian would soon be fully restored to health again. The speaker tor the afternoon session was the Rev. A. J. Heflfernan, whose inspiring ami intensely interesting address was given on “The snake in the barrel”, or the apathy of the C hristian Church in the Temperance Cause. The Church should he tlie leader of truth, but on the Temperance issue it fails to speak with a dynamic voice. If the whole Church stood shoulder to shoulder with this Cause, what a mighty force it would be.

Mrs Laird pleased the gathering with her singing of “How lovely are Thy dwellings!” The Convention dosed with Notes of thanks to the Te Awamutu ladies and to the Church Managers for the use of the Presbyterian Hall. Hamilton issued the imitation for next district Convention. WANGANUI DISTRICT CONVENTION Mrs A. G. Jarvis, District President, presided over the annual Convention held in the Baptist Hall, Wanganui, on 17th October. Mrs J. 11 Thompson conducted morning devotions, her theme being, “Stewardship”. The afternoon devotional leader was Mrs B. Eastabrook, who spoke on the “Tongue”. Mrs Motu of Ratana gave a talk on the need for Bible teaching, stressing this need for Maori children

Reports on the year’s work were by the secretaries of each Union and departmental superintendents. Mrs P. Day conducted the service of Memories. The honour of life-vice President was conferred on two members, Mrs E. J. Chesswas, for 18 year’s service as President, and on Miss K. Christie for 25 years’ service as Treasurer. Greetings sent to the Manawatu Convention being held at the same time in Feilding. A pleasing duet was rendered by Mesdarues Tipper and Belfitt. The retiring officers, Mrs F. Crawford as Secretary and Miss E. Christie as Treasurer were thanked for service rendered faithfully and efficiently. Votes of thanks to the hostesses and to the Baptist Church for the use of the hall and to Mrs Crawford as pianist were passed. Mrs Canty was in charge of a bring and buy, which did good business. Election of Officer*: President, Mrs A. G. Jarvis; Sec., Mrs Grant; Treasurer, Miss Y. Jarvis. MANAWATU DISTRICT CONVENTION The Convention was held in Feilding on 7th October, with representatives present from Levin, Palmerston Nth., Feilding and Mrs Calcott from Dannevirke, whom we Nvere especially glad to welcome, as previously this Union had been regarded as in Hawke’s Bay District. Opening devotions were taken by Mrs Kennerley, District President. District Secretary, Mrs Burnham read the Annual report, which showed good work continuing to be done, and the finances were in a

healthy state as rt*\call'd l»v the Balance Sheet presented hy Mrs l ade (Feilding). Departmental reports were given by Miss Cody for Maori; Mrs Claridge, Good Citizenship; Miss Pale, Peace; Miss Moir, Literature. Mrs Burnham reported on the \\Z. Alliance Annual meeting, followed hy the N.C.W. rej>ort by Miss C. Jamieson. IHscussion on each Department took place.

The Election of officers resulted as follows: Pres., Miss C. Jamieson; Nice Presidents, Mcsdames I. A. Taylor, \V. A. Boniface and V. R. Kennerley; Secretary, Mrs Claridge; Treasurer, Mrs \V. A. Hade.

In the afternoon, a public meeting was held, at which Mrs Calcott led devotions, Mrs Funnel was the soloist and Mrs \ A Hunt, the speaker, whose subject was '“Christian Journalism in Africa,” and was a most interesting address. She spoke of the work of Mr Trevor Shaw, a young New Zealander, who, realising that the natives of Africa were rapidly becoming literate set about the colossal task of supplying the need of uplifting literature. Beginning in 1951 in Nigeria, he founded “The African Challenge”, which proved so popular that the first issue of 5,000 copies was doubled in the second issue and for the third, 25,000 copies were needed. In 1952, with this paper well established, he moved to French West Africa and published in French, the ‘‘Envoi", and later moved oil to the Belgian Congo and published a paper there iu three languages. Mr Shaw’s writing being essentially Christian it had a marked influence on the native mind, many becoming Christians through it. Thanks expressed to soloist and speaker and so ended a happy and successful Convention. OTAGO DISTRICT CONVENTION The Convention was held in the Kaikorai Presbyterian Church on 3rd October and Mrs Flett conducted the opening devotions. The Rev. J. N. A Smith welcomed delegates from Balclutha, Oamaru, Nth. and Sth Canterbury and Dunedin, on behalf of the Ministers of tlie district and Mrs Flett on behalf of the local l nion, and to these, Mrs j. Hiett responded. The President based her remarks on what had been done through the years and the need to fight and tight on to victory, remembering the v ork of the great Temperance men and women of the past. Encouraging results were shown in the reports of the Secretary, Treasurer, and Superintendents of the W bite Ribbon, L.W.R., L.T.L., Evangelistic, etc. Afternoon devotions were led by Mrs Jamieson, Evangelistic Supt., Mrs Hiett conducted the election of officers—Pres., Mrs Flett; Sec., Mrs lies; Treasurer, Mrs Dickenson; Vice Presidents, Mesdames lones and Daniel; W R. Supt., Mrs )ones; L.W.R., Mrs Lithgoe; L.T.L., Mrs Gill; Evangelistic, Mrs Jamieson. Mrs Flett read the list of articles sent trom the District for a Christmas Tree for the Children in Austria. Five remits were passed to be sent on to I 'ominion Convention. An inspiring and interesting address was given at the afternoon session by the Rev C rozier of Roslyn Baptist Church. Total abstinence is the only guarantee against the evil of strong drink. A beautiful solo was rendered. This vear a new venture, the exchange ot delegates from Canterbury had been commenced

and an especial welcome was extended to a member from both Nth. and Sth. Canterbury. Mrs Hardie from Titnani thanked members for gifts for Seamen’s Rest and gave details of some of these and said how much she had enjoyed being at our Convention. Mrs Bowers of Chrirtcnurch conveyed greetings from her District, and hoped that Otago delegates had enjoyed Canterbury’s Convention as much as she had enjoyed theirs. It was decided to write to the N.Z. Woman’s W eekly Editress stating that- this magazine was spoiled by the advertisement of liquor in it.