W.C.T.U.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 103, 18 February 1893, Page 2

W.C.T.U.

• ; The Feilding branch of the Women's Christian Tamperance Union met on the 9th instant, the President in the chair. The first annual report of the chief work done since its formation was read by the secretary, Miss Giesen, and the treasurer, Mrs Sorley, also submitted her statement of monies received and disbursed during the same period. Both documents were passed as satisfactory and copies were ordered to be sent to the National Secretary of the Union for publication. Aser the resignation and re-appointment -of officers for the coming year, the practicability of holding a fete on Easter Monday as a counter attraction to the races, was discussed. -It was proposed to call it the Band of Hope fete or picnic, in which all the temperance societies of the district should be invited to take part, so as to make some kind of marked and enjoyable demonstration of the principles common to all. The matter was remitted to a committee ot five members who, meanwhile, are to make enquiries as to -the feasibility of carrying the proposal oat. The treasurer had received from all sources the sum of £14 4s 3d, and the expenditure amounted to £12 18s sd, leaving a balance in hand of £1 10s lOd. The secretary's report is as follows : — " The inaugural meeting of this branch of the Union was held in the Foresters' Hall on April 1, 1892, with a membership of sixteen. During the year the number has increased to twenty-eight, and seven honorary members. The principal work taken up was the franchise, of which the president (Miss Dalrymple) is for the second year appointed superintendent for the Wellington district; unferinented wine at the sacrament, free distribution of the Prohibitionist, temperance literature in the State school, Band of Hope for children, temperance columns of the local newspaper, petition to the licensing board, asking that no fresh hotels in the borough be granted licenses. The work for the franchise was very considerable last year, and this year seventy double forms of the petition to both Houses of Parliament are being distributed. The Band of Hope numbers about fifty children on its roll. A Cake and Apron Fair was held in June, at which Llo l6s 4d was taken. A branch ot the Union was formed at Marion, at the inauguration of which three of our members, by invitation, assisted. One hundred .family pledge cards have been Erinted and are being distributed by memera of the Union. A great deal of interest has been manifested in the proposals to form a girls' club and to open tea and coffee rooms, but nothing practical has yet been carried out owing to the want of funds, unsuitable buildings, etc. Feildmg has had hints from various temperance lecturers, among these were : Mr Walker, Dr Lucas, and Mr Tennyson Smith, who, we are sure have helped us in our work. During the year we are now enteriug upon we earnestly hope that our efforts and influence will be extended even more than in the year that has iust passed. — (signed), E. M. H. Giesen, Hon. Sec. W.C.T.U."