THE W.C.T.U.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 165, 29 November 1912, Page 4

THE W.C.T.U.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the W.C.T.U. was held on Wednesday in the Good icniplar Hall, 'lea and music made the first half-hour pass pleasantly. There was a good attedance, and reports of the work were read and discussed. The year has been a quiet one, but all the departments of work taken up the Women's Christian Temperance Union, have been worked steadily making advance. Eleven new members have joined during the year, which brings the roll up to 142. Eleven business meetings and three home meetings have been held. A successful Jumble Fair was held in May, which added a good sum to the Union's' funds. In June a social afternoon was held, when by collection and sale of leftover goods the sum of £4 was raised for Maori work. At the Mid-Winter Show some members assisted the other Temperance Societies, and conducted the Temperance Educational Stand in the Agricultural Hall.

The Cradle Roll Superintendent reported that during the year the parents of 4G "Little White Ribboners" had signed a promise that these should be trained in the principles of total abstinence, making a roll of 233.

The ladies' room in the Carnegie building, which is entirely looked after by the W.C.T.U. lias Ibeen, it was noted, as much visited as before. The committee have put a great deal of hard work into it to keep it an inviting and restful room, and many show their thanks and appreciation by dropping small coins in the boxes placed there for that purpose. On the other , hand, by far the greater number of visitors do not think of contributing, and as this is the only source of revenue, the committee have had some anxiety, as the income has not met the outlay. There has been much annoyance caused by the wanton mischief of some young people who delight in writing rubbish on the clean blotting pad, breaking the pens, etc., and there has been pilfering of magazines, towels, soap and other things. Measures are to be taken to stop these annoyances.

A great deal of temperance literature has been distributed, and poor families have been helped with clothing and in other ways. The treasurer showed that funds were in a satisfactory st^te. The new,officers for the vear are:— Mrs. A. Douglas (Pendarves street), president; Miss Ambury (Gover street), secretary; Miss Taunt (Victoria Road), treasurer.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs. Lewis for her services as president during the past year.