News of the Unions.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 272, 18 February 1918, Page 14

News of the Unions.

(The Editor cannot promise to insert anythng in the next issue that does not reach her by the Bth of the month. Correspondents are requested to wnte their Reports as concisely as possible, on one side of the paper only. Newspaper cuttings are unsuitable.) I’AKIRI. Jan. 27. Yearly election held Jan. 3. The meetings are opened with singing, Bible reading, and prayer. Reports read and adopted. Mrs Rennie, President, re-elected; Mrs Wyatt, Vice-President, re-elected; Sec., Mrs Gozar, re-elected; Trcas., Miss Dyer, re-elected. Decided to hold a social afternoon on the 7th February, and invite non-members. BLUFF. Feb. 1. A good attendance. Mrs Valentine was elected Superintendent of Notable Days and Home Meetings, and Mrs Donaldson was re-elected as P irlir.mentary and Press Secretary. Arrangements were made for the reopening of the Band of Hope in March. Decided to hold the Harvest Festival early in April, and make a special effort to pay off some of the debt at present resting on the hall. TOWER HUTT. Feb. 5. The President (Mrs Balantyne) in the chair. Address by Mrs Houldei on “The Aims and Obit <ts of the W.r.T.e." Afternoon tea was provided. Solo and recitation given. Decided to hold a special meeting on February iQth to consider resolutions, etc., for Convention. One new member enrolled. INVERCARGILL. Feb. 5. President (Mrs Baird) in the chair. Thirtec n members present. Miss Powell gave ar interesting account of her work throughout the Dominion. Sistei Moody-Bell, who was present, having just returned from the West Coast, told of the great need for workers there. Mrs Baird reported on the work of the boys and girls who entered for the Temperance Essay Competition. She stated that the compeiilors showed considerable knowledge of the c ubject. Decided to hold v>ur socia l on the first Tuesday in April. WANGANUI. Feb 1. Th° President presided. Six letters wet_ read in answer to those sent to the mothers of fallen soldiers, and Mrs Bott was appointed to the j>osition of War Correspondent, to write these letters of sympathy. The following ladies were appointed to office“Whit< Ribbon” Agent, Mrs W. Grant; Literature, Mrs Mara: S'ck and Hospital Visitor. Mrs Dunstall. Mrs Upton was appointed as our delegate to Convention. A spier.-

did address was then given by the Rev. Blamires upon the drink traffic and the war. He warmly congratulated the women of the W.C.T.U. of New Zealand for their practical work for the mine-sweepers. A vote of thank* was accorded to Mr Blamires. One new member was initiated. PALMERSTON NORTH. Eeb. 1. Mrs Crabb presided and laid before the meeting plans for the year’s work, which will be discussed fully at a later meeting. The Treasurer, Miss Hodder, reported that the accounts showed a credit balance, and that j£Boo had passed through her hands during the year, a great deal of which was raised through patriotic efforts. Relic* work-room in the Square will be op* n again on Tuesday Mrs W. G. K Kenrk k m elected a Vw t-Piesident. GREYTOWN. Jan. 29. President in the chair. Mrs Boucher (Treasurer) appointed as delegate to Timaru Convention. A vote fo thanks to Mrs Devonport, Masterton, for donation towards expenses of delegate to Convention. WELLINGTON DISTRICT. Eeb. 7. Mrs Houlder presided. Attendance good. The following resolution was carried: —“That steps should be taken to provide for the registration and inspection of homes in which deaf and blind persons are boarded.” The following were elected Superintendents:—Good Citizenship, Sirs Evans. M.A. ; Railway Boxes. Mrs Brierley; Home and Notable Days, Mesdames Bott and Dennett: Backblocks, Mrs Brown; Patriotic, Mrs Mounter ; Cradle Roll, Mesdames Logan and Spearman; Sabbath Observance, Mrs Boxall; Flowers for Factories, Mrs Boxall; L.T.L., Mesdames Wright, Webb, and Cummins; Evangelistic, Mrs Wright; Work Among Seamen, Mrs Cummins; “White Ribbon.” Mrs Webb; lea Committee, Mesdames Bott, Mounter. Bates, and Brierley. Mesdames Mounter and Brown were elected delegates to Convention. Arrangements were made for holding W illard Day on February 21st. One new member v as initiated. ASHBURTON. Feb. Mrs Fill presided. Attendance moderate. Votes of sympathy with bereaved and sick members. Miss A. C. Watson elected delegate to Convention, and Miss Rene Oakly Y delegate. Resolution passed demanding eouality of punishment for all criminal offences against boys and girls. Two new members. Mrs W. J. Brown elected Treasurer. Superintendents were elected: Bible-in-Schools and Good Citizenship, Mrs W. T. Lill; Sabbath Observance, Mrs Matthews: Evangelistic, Mrs G. Miller; Scientific Temperance Instruction, Mrs F.. Buchanan; Moral Education, Mrs Jameson; Work Among Young People, Mesdames A,

Pollock and Robinson; Flower Mission, Mrs Ferriman and Miss A. C. Watson ; Press and Legal and Parliamentary, Miss Trevurza; “White Ribbon,” Miss Butterick; Work Among Seamen, Mrs G. Bowman; Notable Days, Mrs W. J. Brown; Literature, Mrs E. McEwen; Social, Mrs I. Thompson ; Rest Tent, Mesdames McEwen and McKenzie; Union Letter-writer, Miss Trevurza. £1 10s voted by Executive to testimonial to Mr T. D. Taylor, in appreciation of services as Editor of “Mail” and “Guardian.” WANGANUI EAST. Feb. Mrs Duxheld presided. The reports of the Secretary and the Treasurer were received and adopted. 1 he Secretary’s report showed a membership of 08 and g honorary members. This was an increase during the year of 22 and 0 respectively. Excei.vnt reports were received from the various Superintendents of the Cradle Roll, “White Ribbon,” Moral Education, L.T.L., Maori Work, and Literature sections. The L.T.L. work was especially pleasing, there being 135 members in the Matheson Street Branch. A vote of sympathy with Mr and Mrs Andrew and family in their recent bereavement was passed by the members standing in silence. The annual election of officers resulted as follows: —Pres., Mrs Duxtield ; Sec. and Treas.. Mrs Andrew; Rec. Sec., Mrs Dowsett; Vice-Pres., Mrs McLeod and Mrs Blair ; Superintendent of Departments, Mrs Duxfield; Moral Education and Literature, Mrs Marshall; “White Ribbon” Agent, Mrs Melvin; Cradle Roll, Mrs Walpole; Home Meetings, Mrs Larking; Red Cross Work, Mrs Andrew; Narcotics, Mrs Duxheld; Maori W ork, Mrs Paterson. Votes of thanks for use of buildings and help given. URENUI. Dec. ig. Attendance good. Miss Gaustad presided. Decided to advertise in “White Ribbon.” The Agent reported four new subscribers. Jan. 23. Monthly meeting held at Mrs Sawry’s, Miss Gaustad presiding. Received Maori literature on “Health” and “Helps for Mothers.” Decided to ask Maori Missionary to distribute it. Passed resolution of sympathy with the Hick family in their loss of our late member, Mrs Hick. Afternoon tea was provided by the hostess. SAW YER’S BAY. Feb. Mrs AUen presided. Mrs Booth appointed delegate to Convention. Decided to hold Home Meeting this month. Mrs Napier gave a very helpful and inspiring address. OTAMATEA. Feb. 5. Annual meeting. Vote of sympathy with Mrs Toko Keepai on the loss of a little girl; also tow ards our President, Mrs Karena, Mrs Toko Keepa’s mother, who has lost a son

and a. grandchild within a few months. Two new members. Votes of thanks to those who attend our meetings.