THE SNOWY SOUTH.

White Ribbon, Volume 25, Issue 291, 18 September 1919, Page 1

THE SNOWY SOUTH.

Cold hands, a warm heart! So runs the old proverb, and trutn "as proved by our Kditor on a recent trip South.' The climate of Invercargill ua*' Arctic, but tin hearts of its White Kibboners were warm ;o .« tropical nuon A double barrelled event w.is scheduled for our Dominion President ;.t Invercargill on September 3 f d and 4th. Hut, alas! that autocrat, the doctor, stepped in, and even our strong willed President had to yield obedience to his behests. No travelling, no speaking, until a great improvement took place in her health, was his verdict. And so the Kditor of this magazine filled up the gap.

It was indeed a jo> to be among our Southern asters, but oh ! the “gittin of >r there.” The Southern train is timed to leave Dunedin at 7.30 a.m., and as the first tram from the Port does not reach the <n> sill 7.40, we hoarded a motor car lor the eight mile ran to town. Then, as our belated train crawled out of the outhern end of the platform, we heard the Port turn whistling in at the north end. Vet the Traffic Manager informed a deputation that it was orders from headquarters that the Southern “express” was not to be timed to leave after the Port train arrived. Truly the vays of a railway magnate aie wonderful! The trip takes 101 hours, but more than half that time the train reposes in the different stations. Nobody is in a hurry. Why should they be? The authorities allow 10J hours for a trip that used to take 53 hours. Half an hour we had to inspect Balclutha. Gore and Milton. Clinton is allowed 25 minutes for dinner, but it lengthened out to 50 minutes, and

most stations kept us for 10 to 15 minutes. All the* low-lying country for miles w;is under water, and snow covered all the higher ground. Hut with two coats, a lug, a hot-water hag, and a foot warmer, we defied General Winter and kept tairl\ comfortable. Sand wiches wen not obtainable on the trip owing to scarcity of butter. It was quite a pleasant change to note that, bad as the weather was, folk were so busy growling at the wretched train arrangements, and the scarcity of butter, ’hat they gave the usually discussed weather quite a rest. We leached Invercargill at 6.15, only 15 minutes late. Miss Seed, a V officer, met us, and soon we were in a motor, owned and driven by a White Ribbon brother, and whisked off into the kind care of Mrs Peters. Needless to say, we felt quite at home when wc entered a Methodist pnisonage. A wash, a brush up. and some tea. and them we were off t:> the mysterious supper which was to celebrate the* first anniversary of our V Knion. A very fine gathering of ung people was assembled in Vie toria Hall, and many who, like ourselves, were r.o longer young, except in heart. The meeting had an able chairman in Mr Stead, 0.8. E., Mayor of the city. The* programme includ ed songs, recitations, games, competitions, and a short address by Mrs Penman. The Y I’nion numbered 256, with a large number of honorary members in addition. The appeal for members resr’ted in iv joining, as well as 12 honorary members. Mrs Young, the V Superintendent, is blight, active, tactful, and above all, enthusiastic, and the success of the social was largely due to her, though the girls one and all did their vst to

Me that all had a pleasant evening. I nr Inve rc argill 'l ’s arc a real force', and should give a good account of themselves in the* coming campaign. On Thursday the Distrbt Convcn tion met. Six branc lies were ropre sented Invercargill District, South Invercargill, Invercargill Vs, R\al Bush, Bluff, anil Otautau. The railway restrictions hindered some branc hes from sending representatives. Deep icgret was expressed that owing to illness, Mrs hillicrap, Hie District President, was unable to be present, and her bright presence was much missed. Mrs Pasley opened the* Convention, welcomed the delegates, and then asked Mrs Peryman to preside. Reports were read*from the I nions, showing steady, hard work done. Musical and elocutionary items were rendered, and afternoon tea handed round. Mrs Peryman spoke on the need for all to be up and doing, and answered several questions. In the evening a public meeting for our workers was held. That old stalwart, Mr Baxter, presided, and spoke most hopefully of the prosjrects for tlie coming poll. Mrs Peryman gave an address, dealing specially with the question of State Control, and the urgent need there is to educate the public to vote for “no booze,” either sold by the* State or by private owners. \ staal) orchcstia, under Mr F. LilHcrap, gave two selections, which were a musical an.] so? g« were rendered very ably. The following morning, in a downpour of rain, we turned oui face northward. Another day of weary tiavelling and wearier waiting. We leached Dunedin at 6.25, that was 25 minutes late, just missing the 6.15

p.m. train to Port, and having to wait nil 9.30 p.m. to get a train home. Before our next visit South may there lx* a better train service !