News of the Unions.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 248, 18 February 1916, Page 13

News of the Unions.

(The Editor cannot promise to insert anything in the next issue that does not reach her by the Bth of the month. Correspondents are requested to write their Reports as concisely as possible, on one side of the paper only. Newspaper cuttings are unsuitable.)

BLENHEIM. Dec. Annual meeting. Satisfactory reports of the year’s work read and adopted. Work has been taken up by our Union, and parcels of garments made and sent away for our soldiers. Dec. 15. A pleasant and profitable gathering and Christmas 'lire was held at Airs Sinclair’s in connection with the mothers’ meetings. Prizes for best temperance essays won by Borough school children were p esented by our President. Election of officers lor year:—Pres., Mrs Jackson; Sec., Mrs Sinclair; Treas., Mrs Hay; Mothers’ Meetings, Mrs Brewer; Cradle Roll, Mrs Hancock; “White Ribbon” Agent, Mrs W. Parker. Mrs Rose was appointed delegate to Convention, Mrs Sinclair substitute.

TIMARU. Feb. 1. At Sailors’ Rest. "Arranged to hold Cradle Roll pit nu at Caroline Bay on February 24111. Plunket nurse to give address. Mesdames Jennings, lirooker, Liddle, and Butcher gave interesting accounts ot visits paid to the Hospital. Sailors’ Rest has been painted. Mr (loud, our new caretaker, gave a most enthusiastic report of work done at the Rest. Mr and Mrs Good provided tea for about 20 sailors on Christmas Day. Literature and comfort bags were given to the men. Thanks were given to Mr and Mrs (iood. Several ladies had sent books to the ice . , Mrs T .Smith sent a stereoscope, Mr Rendall fruit and cordials. Mrs Rule appointed delegate to Convention.

LOWER HUTT. Feb. 1. A meeting, at which some good work was arranged tor the coming year. Superintendents for most departments were appointed, Mrs Frethy taking over the 1 reasurship. Mrs Houlder gave a short address, and some valuable advice. A delegate is to be sent to the Convention in March. Owing to many of our members not having returned from holidays, only eight were present. KAIAPOI. At a meeting held in December all the officers were re-elected. The 26th anniversary was celebrated on 26th January. The Sccjetarv’s annual report showed that

good work had been done in the following departments: Scientific Temperance, Refreshment Booth, Legal and Parliamentary, i\. of K. Pledge, and especially in the direction 01 Patriotic and Red Cross work. Months ago our rooms became the Headquarters of the Red Cross Society, and our W.C.T.U. women amalgamated with this Society, and has assisted it in every possible way. All the N.Z. officers were nominated for re-election. Prize essays, entitled “Temperance and the War,” written by school children, were read aloud. Airs Jamieson was elected delegate to Convention. Miss Evans contributed a musical item.

NGAERE. Monthly meeting was held at Mrs residence, “Hillside,” Stuart Road. After usual business was over, Mrs M. 1. Phillips read a paper on “How to Train Your Boy.” CHRISTCHL RCH. January. Fust meeting of the year, Mrs McCombs presiding. The following superintendents ot departments w ere elected : —Evangelistic Mrs D. McKee; Legal and Parliamentary and Anti Gambling, Misses Roberts and Henderson: Educational Meetings, Miss W. S. Smith; Press, Miss Mackay; Hygiene, Mrs LoveliSmith and Miss McCullough; Purity, Mrs McCombs; Scientific and Medical Temperance, Mrs Patterson; (iood Citizenship and Refreshment Rooms, Miss Bishop; Cradle Roll, Mrs Marlin; Home Meetings, Mrs T. E. Taylor and Mrs De Renzi Newton; “White Ribbon,” Mrs Williams; Assistant, Mrs Glen; Jubilee Home, Mrs Peeller; Flower Mission, Sick and Wounded Soldiers, Mrs Clement. \ isiting Committee was formed. Decided to hold .1 Garden Party in the Domain Gardens on February 10th, proceeds to go to the sick and wountied soldiers. Members were asked to bring jam, sweets, and other small luxuries, to be sent to the men at the Front. Frances Willard Day to be celebrated on the fourth Wednesday, and delegates to Convention to be elected then.

W OODVILLE. Owing to the holidays, attendance small. Mrs Perkins spoke upon the great amount of drunkenness she saw (luring a recent holiday, and how great the need for the 0 o’clock closing. On February 2nd Cradle Roll picnic at the Gorge. We were favoured with glorious picnic weather. There was a large atendance of mothers and children, and with plenty of good things to eat and drink and rambling through the lovely bush, one and all said they had spent a happy time. During the afternoon a christening service was held for three of t» e children, the Rev. Mr Abernethy off - ciating. The hymn, “See Israel’:.

Gentle Shepherd Stand,” was sung, and prayer was offered. Mr Abernetfty also spoke a few words to the mothers on their responsibility. Miss Abernethy very kindly took a snapshot of the happy group. WANGANIL F.rst meeting of the year held in Trinity Parlour on Friday afternoon, February 4th; attendance good. Mrs Blamires (President) presided. Mrs lames Grant reported several homes secured for delegates. Mrs Knuckey and Mrs W. Grant to be our delegates to Convention. Mrs Heatley elected Press Reporter. Matters in connection with the forthcoming Annual Convention were discussed, and arranged satisfactorily.

INVERCARGILL. Opening meeting February Ist, Mrs, C. li. Macalister in the cl nr. South Invercargill Branch congratulated on splendid work done in connection with tea room at Summer Show. Mrs Baird reported re picture show films that a public censor had been appointed. Mrs Cowie explained the movement to raise .1 substantial sum for motor ambulance to assist Defence Department. Cards for collecting were to be printed; the members heariily took up the scheme, with a view to our National W.C.i.U. being identified in the same. Garden Party on 15th February to celebrate Frances Willard Day. The meeting thankful to know that all liquor advertisements were removed fiom municipal tram cars in Invercargill. Sister Moody Bell appointed second delegate to Convention. Inspector of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals addressed the members. GREVTOWN. Feb. 2. The President (Mrs Whincon j presided, 15 present. Letters of thanks read from the Secretary of the Military Hospital Guild acknowledging one case of old linen and 000 eye bandages; also fit m Secretary of N.Z. Allliance, acknowledging the receipt of two cases of books for the troopship. Mrs Whincop was elected as delegate to Convention. Decided to start making roller bandages as soon as funds were available, a box to be placed on the table for voluntary contributions for this object. The Superintendent of the Band of Hope sent in her resignation, which was accepted with regret. Arrangements were made for the next two months. Miss Powell gave a very instructive address. Tea was then handed round. OXFORD. lan. 25. President in the chair. Rev. Holloway wrote expressing his thanks to the Union for their good washes, and he thought the lines we were working on in teaching the young were the best we could use.

Syrup, thy was expressed for Mrs Hawke, junr., in her illness. Congratulatory wishes were passed to Mrs Gumming. Decided to purchase a marquee. Decided to keep a case in the hall for garments that are new or ir good rtpair, the case, when full, to be sent to England for distribution by British D.W.S. I n»on. Hon. J. Allen acknowledged reso'ution thanking him for ttie stand he had taken and the appeal he made to the public re the “shouting” for soldiers. Decided to purchase two dozen Cradle Roll cards. Mrs LeeCowie’s idea about the W.C.T.U. of New Zealand joining and sending either an ambulance outfit or endowing a hospital bed was heartily approved. Mrs Bain gave a splendid paper on “Slumdom and Slums,” being her own personal experience of slum work in Edinburgh, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Decided to keep our next meeting as Frances Willard Day. NELSON Y’s. * A special meeting was held to say farewell to two of our members. M isses Weymouth and Sutherland spoke, and as the result of their talks and personal work, there were 14 new members. A pleasant evening was spent, and refreshments were handed round at the close. Miss M. Phillips is >ur delegate to Convention. BLUFF. Monthly meeting held on Friday afternoon. Arrangements were made for the reopening of the Band of Hope, with a picnic on Argyle Beach. Decided to hold a Harvest Festival on February 18th, the proceeds to be devoted to the Building Fund. A resolution was passed and sent to the Minister for Defence, calling upon him to use his power to prohibit “shouting” for intoxicants for men wearing the King's uniform. MATAURA. * Jan. Meeting held. Election of officers resulted as follows:—Pres., Mrs Reid; V'ce-Pres., Mrs Louden; Sec., Mrs Brown; Treas., Mrs Abernethy (all re-elected). Mrs Reid gave an encouraging address. Miss Stenning read from “My Magazine” entitled “The Vision Splendid,” which conveyed a hopeful outlook on the future. Proposed at meeting to send for one dozen extra “White Ribbon” ■ bei f 11 distributed among the public. NEW BRIGHTON. First meeting of the year held Thursday, February 3rd, attendance good. Decided to send a delegate to the Annual Convention. Decided to make an effort ameng our members and friends, by means of a monthly 6d campaign, to assist the Lady Liverpool Fund, as our membeis thought that as a Union we were not doing enough for those at the Front.

A vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Cox for her gift of the White Ribbon hymn books. A vote of thanks was also accorded to Mr Goodwin for auditing our books. Afternoon tea was handed round., MOSGIEL. Resolution sent to Hon. James Allen and the local papers by Mrs Pinfold on behalf of the Mosgiel W.C.T.U.: “This Women’s Christian Temperance Union views with grave alarm the growing practice of ‘shouting’ for our soldiers. Having seen its sad results, this Union not only protests against the custom, but earnestly and urgently asks that legislation be proceeded with at the earliest moment with a view to making the practice illegal.” ASHBURTON. Attendance'good at February meeting. Mrs W. T. Lill opened the meeting. Decided to again take charge of the rest tent at the A. and P. Patriotic Show in March. Proceeds of the Show will be devoted to the Wounded Soldiers Fund. Resolved th.it the Union bear all expenses, provided the Association grant tent space free. Miss Butterick and Miss Wise will collect subscriptions in aid of tame, lfrs W. T LiU elected delegate to Convention. Following resolution was passed:—“That this meeting of the Ashburton W.C.T.U. heartily supports any measure brought forward at Convention to safeguard the young, and to prevent boys and girls from being on the streets after a certain hour without suitable escort.” One new member joined. In commemoration of Frances Willard Day, Rev. W. J. Elliott addressed the meeting by request. \ aluabie l‘*ssfr>ns were drawn from the prominent traits in the character of our beloved founder, and a hearty vote of thanks accorded the speaker. In closing the President referred to the near departure of Mr Elliott from Ashburton, and acknowledged gratefully liis help and sympathy in the past. A collection, amounting to ns bd, was taken up in aid of the World’s Missionary Fund, and the met mg terminated. WELLINGTON DISTRICT. Feb. 3. The Union resumed meetings after the Christmas vacation. ' I he following superintendents of ’departments were elected :—Good Citizenship. Mrs Evans; Literature, Mrs Briarley; Hygiene and Moral Education, Mrs W right; Evangelistic and Sabbath Observance, Mesdames Boxall and Nield; Backblocks and Flower Mission, Mrs Boxall; Cradle Roll, Mesdames Briarley and Logan; Home Meetings, Mesdames Wright and Bott, Refreshments, Mesdames Briarley and Bates. Two new members were enrolled. Mrs Breckenridge was appointed Treasurer, and Mrs Bates assistant-Tre«surer. Mrs Johnson Wright and Mrs Briarley were appointed delegates to Corven-

tion, and Mrs Bott substitute. Decided for this year to pay the of one district officer and two delegates to Convention. OTAMATEA. Hanuere—l tuane he mitini mate Roopu Karaitiana Wahine Otamatea ite 2 o nga ra 0 Hanuere. Nate Pirihitini te karakia mete Ka mutu kawhaka puaretia eia te whare monga take. (1) Koohi (2) He whinwhiri take whakaora i nga moni e pauana 1 nga raruraru ate Roopu. Kaati pahitiana tana take me whakaora tana moni. (3) Nui atu te aroha nga tuakana ki tetahi mem 1 kia makereta. Nu irunga i tone ngarongaatu tenei owamatou mitini irunga ite mate e tona hoa tane. Kaati mate matua ano ite rangi ewhatu tetahi marama tanga. Kia ia ite wa ote ngoikoretanga. Pepuere 3rd. I tuano he mitini mate Roopu. Karaitiana wahine Otamatea ite 1 on*ra ra Opepuefre. Karakakia te Pirihitini Ka whiika puaritia tc whare monga take (1) take tuatahi. Koohi marama, (2) take tu.irua. Kote take nui Ite mitini, he whiriwhiri nato Roopu kia kimihia tetahi. Kaniura hei mahi ara hei whaka ara. Ite whare Karakia Lga wahi kua mate heoi pahitiana taua ete katoa. Kaati etahi mai onga *ake he whiriwhiri ano nate Roopu wahine ara he whaka takoto tikanga naratou monga raruraru ano otoratou marae, heoi kei te nui atu te aroha otenei Roopu kitoratou hoa Kia Te Maari Woodhead etakoto mai nei Itona mate. Ite Hospital O Akarana heoi mate matua ano. Ite r,tngi ewhaatu tetahi marama tanga Kiaia a manano . hqki emea tona ngakau. Kai Inoi kia ia kite m itua itewa ote pouritanga kei te Inoi tonu mona.