IN THE FIELD.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 275, 18 May 1918, Page 8

IN THE FIELD.

After all, I was .iblc to attend almost all the sittings of Convention, and a most inspiring and uplifting time we had. Close on a hundred members gathered from all parts of the Dominion, age and youth being both well represented. The meetings were characterised by a deeply spiritu.il tone, and, that being the case, it is needless to state that, as usual, not a single jairing note was apparent. Furthermore, for the third year in secession, our four Dominion officers were re-elected by an absolutely unanimous vote. Timaru friends gave us a right royal welcome, and altogether we had a very happy time. The rest of the month has been spent in the Dunedin district. Before Convention, Sawyer’s Bay (the fine little Branth which I organised three years ago) and Kaikorai Valley were visited, and on March 26th 1 travelled up to Alexandra. This Branch has held no meeting since the commencement of the war, owing to pressure of patriotic work. I visited all the members, and a good many other women interested, and arranged for a public meeting next month, to be addressed by Mrs Lee-Cowie, and an afternoon meeting next day to reorganise the Onion, all the members, after a little chat, being quite willing to again take up the work. As 1 had only three days before Faster, and the journey occupies over eight hours each way, no more could be The conclusion of the work at Anderson’s Bay, Dunedin, was reached on Thursday, April 11th, when a meeting of ladies was held in the S.S. Hall. Mrs lliett. District President, occupied the chair, and Mrs LeeCowie gave an address. A number of members were initiated, but as thev could not see their way to starting a separate Branch, it was decided to nvet once a month, Mrs Lee-Cowie undertaking to take charge of the meeting and give an address. As this has the effect of adding thirty-six members to the Dunedin I’nion, the time spent in visiting was not losi. On the 20th a start was mad'* for Greymouth. but upon arriving in Canterbury a letter was received stating that circumstances had arisen which rendered the *ime inopportune for my visit, though, if I decided to go on, the friends would do everything to make it a success. In view of this information, it was decided to

postpone the West Coast trip. My luggage was checked on to Arthur’s Pass, and it had to go on and be consigned back. While in Kaiapoi I had the pleasure of attending the Band of Hope, which was just commencing the winter session. This meeting is under the auspices of the W.C.T.I ~ and the Superintendent is Mrs Laishley, one of our Vice-Presidents. The Oddfellows’ Hall was well tilled, and I understood that there was an average attendance of three hundred (including adults), w ith a membership of over 170. The organisation is very tin' 1 , and Mrs Laishley lias the faculty of keeping order and keeping everybody in a good temper. There is an admission fee of threepence to adults and children a penny, and as each year the Band of Hope contributes £2 to the Organising Fund, the audience was interested to h°ar a little about what the fund is used for. A couple of days were spent in Wellington with Mrs Houlder, and Palmerston North reached in time for the first May meeting. M. S. POWELL, Dominion Organiser. •\ddr o ss: Box 48, Palmerston North.