SPECIAL MEETING TE KUITI MAORI UNION

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 11, 1 December 1947, Page 3

SPECIAL MEETING TE KUITI MAORI UNION

The newl>-iormed Maori Union at Te Kuiti held a special gathering on October 17th, wdien members oi the Otorohanga and the Te Kuiti i'akeha Unions were also present. In spite ot very inclement weather, a hue number attended in the Methodist Church, under the chairmanship of the Kev. R. C. Patchett. Mrs. Christian, of Tauranga, was welcomed as she entered tiie Church, by the traditional Powhiri, the Maori members, led by their President, Mrs. Aupouri Joseph, chanting the beautiful words oi welcome. After the opening Devotions in which the Rev. N. K. Kukutai assisted, Mrs. Joseph spoke words of welcome in her native tongue, then in English. Mr. Kukutai also added kindly greetings.

Mrs. Kenny, President of the Otorohanga Union, read the lesson and Mr. Patchett called on the speaker, giving her a welcome on his own account also. Mrs. Christian spoke on “Roadmaking,” showing how development and progress must always follow on the preparing of the road for the people. The work of the W.C.T.U. was essentially *road building, and all those who took part in it were building for the future of the race.

Following on the meeting, which was closed with hymn and prayer, a delightful tea w-as served in the hall, which was decorated beautifully by the members with flowers, and excellent examples of needlework, and here a further conference on our work was carried on informally. Mrs. Rawinia Ewan, Treasurer, and Mrs. Kukutai, with their helpers, were in charge of the tea arrangements and had decorated the room. Many interesting questions were opened up, and a very profitable time was spent in general chatting about these. Mrs. Christensen, President of the Pakeha Union, and Mrs. Aupouri Joseph acted as hostesses. Sister Nicholls, whose work is too well known to need comment here, assisted in every possible way in making the occasion pleasant and useful. Mrs. Emery, Press Reporter, also gave valuable help.

Evening Youth Meeting

In the evening, a Youth gathering was held, the attendance at wdiich suffered because of a very sirong counterattraction in a School Fancy Dress Ball. All the same, good work was done with those who were present. Mrs. Christian conducted and addressed the gathering, speaking on the effects of alcohol on food, and organs of the body, and also show-ing by diagram and experiment the various stages of intoxication. Pledges were signed, and the youthful listeners expressed their thanks in pleasant words at the close. After a good discussion, it was agreed to form a Band of Hope in the New Year, when it was hoped that members of all ages W’ould be gained. The meeting closed with the Temperance Doxology.