District Conventions 1959

White Ribbon, Volume 31, Issue 9, 1 February 1960, Page 7

District Conventions 1959

Hawke'a Bay: The annua) WC TL. Convention was held in Napier t n 12th November firing well attended by delegate* from Wairoa, Hasting* and Napier. In ion re|M>rt* indicated considerable activity in vartou* *phere*. lioth Napier and Halting* had contributed article* dealing with the origin and aim* of the W.CTC to the VC.W. Centennial booklet, ‘‘Through the Year*”, Hatting* In ion had *taged a Court urging the u*e of fruit and non-alcoholic drink*, and showing al*o, the wide *fo|»e of WC.TI. work throughout the world at the Festival of Art*, arranged hv the N C W

Hasting* and Y\ airoa had combined to send a parcel of Christma* gift* to the W.C.T.U. Refugee Childrens Home in Austria Mrs Pitt, who retired from the iHstnct Presidency, having been in office since MSI, was presented with a book as a *tnall token of appreciation of her whole-hearted devotion to the cause of temperance Mr* Stickley of Hasting* was elected President The other officer* thanked and re-elected A small sub-con mittee vya* *et up to plan the visit of Mr* Richarl* after I kunmion Convention

At the afternoon session the guest sjieaker was the Rev. J. Sands, whe stated that the problem of increasing alcoholism would never lie solved until Christians took a look at why |»cople begin to drink. One of the reasons was man’s inherent need for fellowship, though the quality of the fellowship found in a hotel bar was in the inverse ratio to the amount of alcohol consumed The *|>eaker paid tribute to the work of the Salvation Army in providing temjierance hotels in the cities, A scctrtid reason given wa* the tragic uncertainty of life, which made some men turn to alcohol a* an easy way out —a fact that is verified by stories told by many memliers of Alcoholics A nonymom The Christian should lie ready with sympathy and practical help i such cases.

A sense of boredom wa* another cause. New Zealanders are rich in leisure hut have a poor idea of how to use it Probably the major cause for drinking is the general decay in the religious life of the nation There had lieen a marked breaking down of moral standard* under the stress of two world war*. “The !>e*t teni|»erance reformer is the Evangelist,'* said the shaker, who was warmly thanked for hi* address The next Ihstrict Convention is to lie held in Hasting*

Taranaki Convention held ill Vevv Plymouth, began with a Communion Service conducted by the Rev. W. (»reen*lade It wa* a very helpful *er\ice and well attended Mr* Cole, the IHstnct Pre*ident, {•resided over delegates from Haw era, Kltham, Inglewood and New Plymouth, District re|K»rt* from all unions were encouraging with various area* excelling in different activities. Many more unions throughout New Zealand are helping toward* the working expense* of the Seamens Rest of the New Plymouth W.CTI’ Thank* expressed A minute was recorded expres*ing appreciation of long and faithful service rendered by several members, namely, Mr* Hobbs, Inglewood, for 25 year* Di*t. Orre*|iomling secretary. Mrs Tower*,

F.ltham. 'ocal Cradle Roll Superintendent; Mr* Holly, Kltham. Devotional Su|»enntendent; Mr . Hurrell, Haw era; Mr* Tuffrey, New Plymouth, sick visiting 46 year*; Mi** (*austad. New Plymouth, Maori work, 4b year*; and also other* for lesser, luit Mill lengthy periods. The afternoon devotion* were conducted by Mr* Hurreil of Hawera The Seamen’* Rest exterior painting is completed Interior decoration* and alterations and painting to lie done now. Several items were rendered and appreciated; Mr* \Yag*taff, reading Christmas, by Peier Marshall; Mrs Simons, *otw* accompanied by Mr* Cole; Mr* Palmer, recitation “The Church Choir”; Mr* Brown, |Mtem “C hrist, a citizen of the World”. A happy day of fellowship and service ended w*ith the serving of afternoon tea.

Northland Convention wa* held in Well*ford on 24th Novetnlier with a good attendance of delegate* from Dargaville, Te kopuru, Whangarei and W elbford Mr* h. V. Singleton pre*ided and o|»ening devotion* were conducted by Mr* H O. Bicker*. Te kopuru The report of the Secretary, Mr* <». keyte, and Departmen M report* showed much activity and work accomplished during the year. The Treasurer, Mr* F. T. Heathcote, revealed in her financial statement that over CM) had been raised since April for th special 1%1 Dominion Convention Fund for Whangarei Convention In the Whangarei Corso report, Mr* W J. Robert* stated that 15 large cartons of excellent used clothing, shoes, blanket* and 21 warm bed rugs, mostly large si/e, bad been sent to Corso (•rateful thank* expres*ed to so many who had washed, mended and packed for her Similar rrjM.rts were received from Dargaville and Wellsford Union*. Ml officers were re-elected for another year.

After a delightful luncheon, provided by W«!lxford members, an inspiring afternoon session followed, when Mrs K Yate* sang sacred solos accompanied hy Mr* Busbridge at the organ and a most helpful and encouraging address trom the incident of Flislia at Dothan, wa* brought to u* hy the Rev. (i Trebilco of Wark worth.