IN THE FIELD.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 267, 18 September 1917, Page 7

IN THE FIELD.

In Auckland, Mrs Dicken kindly housed my belongings, as well as their owner, lor an odd night or two coming and going. 1 arrived there on July 31, and the next morning, at g o'clock, started tor Leigh. 1 believe the trip was a calm one, but when you go to sea in a cockle-shell, what can you expect? We called in at Kuuwau Sir George Grey's late residence, and a most romantic spot and upon leaving there got tossed some, as our American friends say, but, unlike the “three celebrated wise men of Gotham who went to sea in a tub,” my tale is longer. Arrived at Leigh, i was told 1 was to go on to Pakiri to visit a Union of whose existence 1 was just aware, but had no clue to its locality. The trip was accomplished in a waggon over a hill, which entailed a straight-up climb of a mile and a half. My charioteer asked me where 1 was going to stay, and 1 could only reply, “I don’t know anything about it; I'm just a sa< k of potatoes, and you can dump me down wherever you like.” He “liked” to take me to the Secretary, Mrs Gozer, and this proved to be according to arrangement. The ordinary meeting should have been held the next afternoon, but the day was very stormy, and as it was postponed until the evening, in consequence of a funeral in the afternoon, the attendance was small. Next day (Friday) a White Ribbon brother yoked up his team, and the seven miles back again was negotiated, again in a waggon on account of the mud. Leigh Executive met that evening, and the ordinary meeting took place the next afternoon, when I found the friends knew practically nothing of our work A public meeting was held on the Monday night, and was fairly well attended, both on that occasion and at Pakiri resolutions backing up the Efficiency Board in their demand for a referendum on National Prohibition being carried unanimously, and forwarded to Mr Massey and the member for the district. My home in Leigh was in a most charming spot, the residence of Mrs D. Matheson. It is situatted in a little cove, reached from the steamer wharf by a row of about five minutes in an open boat. The surrounding cliffs are bush-clad to the water’s edge. On

a calm, moonlight night the little sea trip is ideal, but none of us enjoyed it on the night of the meeting, when the waves were high, but as a slip had occurred on the cliff track — usually accessible, except at high tide we had no choice.

On the Wednesday occurred, according to the proverbial “oldest inhabitant,” the biggest storm in sixty years, and we spent the forenoon wandering from window to window, while Mr and Mis Matheson were out trying to save their timber, which was off on a voyage of discovery. The boundary fence was knocked down by the impact of huge logs (some of them thirty feet in length), the garden submerged, and by 11.30 the sea was at both front and back doors. Then the tide turned, and before night the wind dropped somewhat. I was due to leave by the steamer on Thursday, and proceed to Whangarei the following night, but no steamer appeared, on account of the storm, and it was Sunday afternoon before I embarked for Auckland. Had a smooth passage, and the following night boarded the Manaia at 10 p.m., arriving at Whangarei next morning, where I was kindly entertained by Mrs Harrison.

Here the weather was exceedingly kind to us -warm, and for the most p.irt dry. Several home meetings were held in the suburbs, at each of which members were obtained, and on August 24th a special meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, when eight members were initiated, several more recruits being unable to attend. The talk on “Girls and Their Lovers” was given to a crowded audL ncc immediately after my arrival, about h rndred being present. A mu* or of girls raised their hands in tcke.i of a wish for a “Purity” talk, and on the Sunday afternoon about fifty gathered in the Presbyterian Church. The Union had for some time been wishful to start a V Branch, and a meeting was called for the Monday night, but so few came that organising was out of the question. ♦However, we had a chat over the matter, also as to the formation of a Loyal Temperance Legion, and it was left with th*‘ White Ribboners present to talk up with the Sunday Schools and

Bible Classes, and ascertain if anything could be done. The Ilikurangi Branch has been in low water lor some time, a number of members having left on account of there being very little work in the mine. 1 offered to go and work them up, but the members had lost heart, and thought it would be useless. However, I went up for a meeting, when three or four members attended and two non-members, bo'h of whom expressed themselves as willing—even eager—to join, and were duly initiated. This so encouraged the members that they were then anxious for a more extended visit, and all arrangements were made for this, but ultimately, owing to the number of patriotic meetings that week, the matter was left over for the present. M S. POWELL. Miss Powell’s address: C/o Miss Dewar, Pompallier Terrace, Ponsonby, Am kfarnd.