A UNIQUE OCCASION.

White Ribbon, Volume 32, Issue 372, 18 June 1926, Page 3

A UNIQUE OCCASION.

PRESIDENT OK FORTY YEARS STANDING FAREWELLED. Heavy rain and blustering wind did not prevent about forty women from attending the social held in Port Chalmers, on May 20th, for all realised that the function was an epoch in the history of the Union. For Mrs Johnson had retired from the Presidency after about forty-one years of service, and all wanted to honour her by their presence. Mrs Johnson, with pardonable pride told how the Port Chalmers Union was older than the Dunedin Branch, for they were organised in the afternoon by Mrs Mary Clement Leavitt, who immediately after journeyed to the City to organise Dunedin. Mrs Monson. whe had long been an advocate of total abstinence, was the first elected President, but through ill health was obliged to retire after eighteen months service. Mrs Johnaca then became the President, and has held oflice through all these years. The

w'riter does not know’ another President in New Zealand with a similar neord. Mrs Don had the honour on behalf o'i the Union to present to Mrs Johnson an electric lamp, and after congratulating her upon bei long term of office, expressed tbv hope that the lamp would be a guide to her feet, give light to her eyes, and dispel the darkness of advancing years, and whenever the lamp w’as burning, she would see behind the light the love of the women who had been associated with her for so many years. Mrs Tait, the newly-elected President, ha 3 raised a family in her home, and is now leading the women in their efforts to protect their homes from the evlLs of Intemperance. The room was gay with choice Chrysanthemums, and cheerful with blazing fire. Old reminiscences told over the teacups, the presence of several young women recently linked up. with Mrs Cleghoro at the piano, all contributed to the peasant afternoon, which made us hope that the Union would not only be the first organised In tne District, but the first and foremost in its zeal for Prohibition, Peace and Purity.