NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 8, Issue 96, 1 May 1903, Page 3

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

’’’« rely on our local inion * to send uj neies for this column. We cannot evolve it eut of our inner con.sciousuea*.] Auckland. We held a special meeting to welcome home Mrs and Miss Dewar, w’ho went as delegates to the Convention from the Auckland and Onehunga Unions respectively. There was a good attendance, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Dewar for her interesting and very clear report. The President’s address was highly appreciated, a large number of copies being taken away for distribution. Afternoon tea made a pleasant break iu the proceedings. Ponsonby. This newly-revived branch has elected officers as follows: —President, Mrs Thorne; secretary, Mrs Blom field; treasurer, Mrs Ready; visitor, Sister Kenneth; superintendent of mothers* meetings, Mrs Mitchell. Under the active guidance of these ladies it is hoped to do some good work in the district during the,year. Gisborne. At the March meeting three new j members were enrolled. It was decided

to form a sewing committee so as to provide monthly boxes for our poor. Mrs Graham gave an interesting address on “ The necessity of a pure mind," and a quantity of literature was distributed. Colyton. We sent, from our March meeting, a message of hearty greeting and encouragement to Convention. Business arising from the minutes was dealt with, and matters connected with next Licensing Poll discusseu. Our April meeting was postponed to the 23rd, so as to receive our del .‘gate’s report of Convention. We also discussed the N.Z. Corresponding Secretary’s circular re the Organising Agent, and the inevitable question of funds for the same. Extracts from the President’s address at Convention were read with much interest. It was reported that letters were sent to eacn of the candidates for the Licensing Committee of our district, to three of which courteous replies had been received. WellingtonThe meeting was held on Aprd 2nd, in the Girls’ Association Room. Two new members were elected. A strenuous effort is being made to reduce the mortgage on the building by which would leave the new’ mortgage at The delegate to the Convention gave a full report of the transactions, and placed once more before members the duty of obtaining new subscribers and also advertisements for White Ribbon. Surely the only women’s paper published in the colony should receive the helpful support of all right thinking women. A supply of the President’s Convention address was referred to, and it was decided to distribute freely. During the month, two memorable days have been spent. On the 18th, Mrs W. H. George gave a garden party, to commemorate the anniversary of opening the Girls’ Room, the weather was perfect, and a most enjoyable time was spent. On the 28th, Mrs Keene, of Island Bay, kind 4 y invited all girls of the Association and their friends to a garden party, and entertained them most royally. Brunner, Since our last report we have had a visit from Miss Balgarnie, whose addtessesand meetings were well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all the Temperance people On Feb. 25th, w f e, with the Greymouth Union, wt re invited by the Reefton Temperance friends to a most enjoyable picnic at Totara Flat.

Feilding, \ Our meeting was held April 2ud. It vVas resolved to ask the local daily papers to allow us space for Temperance articles and extracts, also that the gentlemen of the Feilding Temperance Society be requested to assist us in this matter. It was resolved to have an instructive paper read at each meeting. ■ At cur March meeting it was resolved to advertise in the W hite Ribbon. Creymouth. Since last report we have held two Union meetings, and two Missionary meetings, and also two very successful Sailors Socials. Miss Balgarnie’s meetings were a great success. Christchurch. At the meeting held on April 22nd, it Was arranged to give a Tea at the Jubilee Home on the 7th inst. Correspondence was received from Messrs H. D. Bedford, and J. F. Arnold, M.H.R’s. The following were elected superintendents of departments : - Juvenile Work, Miss Roberts; Home Meetings, Miss Gordon; Temperance Instruction, Miss &1. Smith; Social Purity, Mrs Guise; Jubilee Home, Miss Clark and Mrs pedlar; Children’s Aid Society, Misses Roberts, Gordon and Mrs Field ; Samaritan Home, Mrs Malcolm. Nelson. ' One new member was enrolled at our March meeting. A resolution was passed protesting against the action of the “ Trade,” and also against the peculiar views and finding of the Magistrate, in connection with the Newtown case. It was resolved to do everything possible to further the return of those Candidates for the Licensing Committee who favour ten o’clock closing At our meeting held on April 14th, Mrs W illiams read a circular inviting help towards the expenses of an Organising Agent, when it was resolved that all the members be asked to give a small sum toward so necessary a work. A discussion arose on the Women’s Disabilities Bill, and it was decided to send to Mrs Sheppard for a copy. 1 Tariki. At the March meeting, the circular from our President was discussed. It was decided to advertise our meetings in the White Ribbon. A friend kindly gave a donation to the funds of the paper. Peefto 1. Our monthly meetings are held at the home of our president, and aie

always enjoyable and instructive. I Mothers’ meetings are held weekly, in the homes of some of our members at Black’s Point and Crushington, and have proved most helpful to the Temperance cause. The distribution of literature has also been a great help. Dunedin. At the meeting held on sth inst. Mrs Mazengarh was unanimously elected as president and Mrs Heatly asagentforthe White Ribbon. It was agreed to print an account of the work of the union and of the Sailors’ Rest, together with the balance-sheet of the latter, and send copies to subscribers. Mrs Peter Dick continued her report of Convention. A special committee was formed in connection with the Rest. Petone. At our last meeting it was decided to form a union at Lower Hutt. We at Petone vote well, but our neighbours drag us down, so we thought we would try and pull them up, and could think of no more effective way than opening a W.C.T.U. there. We were glad to hear of so much good work being done at Convention, and regret funds did not permit of our sending a delegate. Waihi. We hold our meetings on the first Thursday in the month, and special ones when required. Our membership has grown. There have been several elections here lately, which have needed the help and interest of the Temperance people, who have all worked well. The officers elected at the annual meeting of the Union, held on March 15th, were: —President, Mrs Savage; secretary, Mrs Heard, assistant-secretary, Mrs Mcßae; treasurer, Mrs Turnbull. We have decided in future to hold the annual meeting in December, so as to fit in with other unions.