W.C.T.U

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 584, 12 August 1909, Page 3

W.C.T.U

ANNUAL CONVENTION*. • Tho annual Wellington district convention'! of the W.C.T.U. opened -in "the Alicetown Congregational Church at' 10 a.m. yester-day,-Mrs'. Boxall (district'president) being in the chair. The following we're present Wollington, Mrs., Boxall; Hutt, Mrs. : Koay Petone, Mrs. 'Rouse,;- Levin, Mrs. Prouse! Secretaries: Wellington,- Mrs. Hayes: Petone , Mrs. ; M'Ewan; " Hutt, ,'Mrs.- Chatfield! Treasurers: Wellington, Mrs. Houlder; Hutt Mrs. Routly.; Delegates: •'"Wellington, Mrs'. Spearman and ■■ Mrs; Miller; . ; Levin, Mrs. 1 Jones; Lower Hutt, Mrs. J'ansen; Masterton' Mrs. Kavanagh;. Petone, Mrs.,Murgatroyd. • The following, reports,, were,.submitted Lower Hutt reported that good work is being done in sending papers, magazines, and tcmporaiice • literature to backblocks and lighthouses j flower work had been!, carried. °on, ; flowers being sent to the sick people of., tho district, a small. text being' tied' to each bunch. Tho medal contest is Keiiig made a spocial feature in this " union, tic purpestt being, to cducate the young people-, 'oil l tempcranco principles. Petone reported as to their N district visiting, sending out literature and in various ways helping in tho work of tho W-.C.T.U. Levin is proud to have amongst its members some of the best women in their district—women who are .prepared;to 'Undertake any work, however humble, for the, upliftine of .humanity . As there is necessarily

not a great scope for work in a comparatively small centre, -they- have confined their efforts chielly to tctnperanoo work, but good work has been done by this branch in writing to women who are stationed away in tho bush; and . largely: cut oft', from association with fellow women. ' -

Wellington women (the- report continued) are doing excollent work. Home stcamers.aro met, and.yoiing girls arriving in the Dominion are invited to : the girls' rooms, .where regular classes are held to help and encourage them. ' Classes are also held at which the giris receive instructions' in certain branches of dressmaking. Many letters have been received from persons who had received letters and literature, from this union! Efficient preparations.wero made; for' Mrs. Katherin Lent Stevenson's visit to Wellington. •'Mrs: Stevenson 'is a' brilliant speaker,- arid it is hoped. her' lectures •in Wellington will be a great- success.' A pledge-signing campaign was decided on; each' member to provide herself with a pledge-book: arid secure pledges. It was. reported that'Wellington,Lower Hutt; and Petono Criions'.were sending.homo frozen sheep and also clothing for the poor, of Loridon, theso goods to arrive Home mi time for Christmas'. 1 Clothing Mb also being collected for' the : poor of ; tho' 'Dominion and forwarded.to. Sister Isobel. . " ... j

It was 'decided that lotters. of sympathy should ■' be' sent to 4,he fariiilies of the late Mrs.; 4 Jackson,:'of' Petone, also' of tho late Mrs; Chappel. ■At tho. afternoon session,: Mrs. Boxall read ,an interesting letter, from f-Mrs. Ostler, who is at Homo in.;Englarid,-concerning the suffragists''and their domgs. ' ''' ' • It was' decided to hold' tho- district convention annually, and;that the next convention be held at. Master ton in' September, 1010. " ' '

• ; Thb election of officers resulted as follows President, Mrs! Boxall.; secretary and;treasurer, Mrs. ICavanagh.: , ''.■ In the. evening a well-attended .public irfeeting was held in the Lower Hutt Wes-leyan-Church, Mrs. Boxall presiding. Speeches wero delivered bv Mrs. Atkinson, Miss Powell (organising secretary forthe' Dominion), the Rev.; R. F. Rothwell, and Mr. T. Townsend. A .'recitation' was given by Miss. Ruby' Keay, winner of tho silver medal, and was much enjoyed!- Excellent music was rendered :hy a combined 'choir, .under the conductorship of Mr.' Shearer, with Mr. Clements at the organ. 1 Tho Good Templar lodges attended in regalia.