INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 699, 19 December 1902, Page 3

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES.

REPORT ON LOCAL TENTS,

The District Visitor of the New Zealand Central District (Bro. E. Mayson) in his report on the local Tents, states : I may say I was agreeably surprised at tho enthusiastic unanimity existing among tho brethren and sisters. This ovidencc of zeal is infused into and among tho Juvenile Tent. I gave them an address to encourage and stimulate them on determined and united action for the f-reat future in their varied spheres of life. In the same room the adult Tent was held afterwards, and I was delighted to see so many of the sisters present, when an address was given to both sexes on the inception, numerical and financial position of the Ordor, proving the great benefit to bo derived, as having far superior advantages of many other similar institutions. After tho address a social was held. Tho refreshments wero provided by the sisters’ Tent. To enliven those present a phonograph, ping pong, recitation and harmony entertainment brought a most interesting, and, I trust, profitable meeting to a close, with a host of votes of thanks to visitors and friends. As regards the internal working of the Gisborne Tent, they are evidently bent upon making every legitimate effort for success. The books are kept well, clean, and systematically. On the following evening the Star of Sew Zealand Teoi held their ordinary

meeting, when about a dozen members of the Gisoorne Tent met with them. The sisters conducted the business of the Tent in a manner that wa3 truly creditable to them. Although by this time pretty well known, tho courteous formality was gone through by SB. Birch, C R., in a businesslike manner, of introducing your humble servant to address them, tho subject being “ Woman’s influences for good or otherwise,” a power they had if wielded aright that would go far towards the uplifting of humanity, and urged this to be done at tho election just upon us. There is, as in the other Tent, a spirit of unity of purpose ; yet they realise with the other Tent the difficulties they have in being deprived of tho privilege of being visited more, having no intercourse with any other Tent, being isolated. I must say I had a most hearty reception from the sisters as well as the brethren, with a very enthusiastic vote of thanks, coupled with the entreaties to again visit them.