IN THE KING COUNTRY

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 6, 1 July 1948, Page 5

IN THE KING COUNTRY

On Tuesday, May 18, we left Tc Kuiti at half past ten, in Sister Xicholls’ car, with great spirits and looking forward to every success in our work. Our first call was Hangatiki. We arrived at 11 o’clock and had a few minutes to ourselves before we started our meeting. The Rev. Poihipi, of the Methodist Church, opened with Devotions, then I introduced the Maori Organiser, Miss McLay, to the ladies who were assembled ai the meeting. Then Miss McLay began with a very interesting talk about the W.C.T.U., and I can assure yen it was very, very interesting. We only had a few ladies there but it was so interesting that it went right to their hearts, and before it was time for us to leave they all signed the Pledge and all decided that they will either join up with Te Kuiti Maori branch or else form a union at Hangatiki. We three continued our journey with hearts full of thanks to cur Lord for helping us. Of course, the weather was not very good. However, we arrived at our next destination, Otorohanga, in good spirits. At 2 c’dock in the afternoon we had another gathering at the Methodist Church, Otorohanga, which was Sister Xicholls’ Mothers’ Meeting. We were pleased to have with us for this meeting Mrs. Kenny, the President of the Otorohanga Combined Union. Again Miss McLay gave another interesting talk about the work cf the W.C.T.U. We were not so successful here in gaining more new members as quite a number of the women had already signed the Pledge. However, the meeting ended with a very nice cup of tea and cakes provided by the ladies. We were given hospitality by friends in Otorohanga. Miss McLay and Sister Xicholls stayed with Miss Rogers, Secretary cf the Union, and I stayed with Mrs. Waretini. On May 19 we continued our journey to Te Koptia, which is a little I'a about 12 miles from Otcr dunga on the way to Te Awamutu. I must say we had quite a gathering there. They, too, were very interested with the address Miss McLay gave them, and two are considering joining with Te Awamutu Union. We left the others thinking very seriously about joining the W.C.T.U. There were quite a few old Maori women and men who couldn’t understand the English language so it was left to me to explain about our work to them. As the hour of mid-day struck while our meeting was on, Miss McLay and I sang our Noontide Hymn. Then one of the old gentlemen

With Miss C. McLay and Sister Nichoils

of the Pa welcomed me and the Pakeha friends to their midst, and we closed the meeting with a prayer. Mrs. Hughes gave us a nice cup of tea before we lef* for our next destination. \\ c arrived at 1 uritea in the afternoon at the home of an old, Maori lady to find quite a number of ladies waiting to welcome us. One had ridden on horseback about seven miles to hear our talk of the W.C.T.U. Once again I had to do a lot of explaining as they did all understand Pakeha language very much. There were a few children present, and Miss McLay told them a very good Temperance story. The King’s Palace,” which they all enjoyed. Sister christened a baby and got the mother to put its name on our Cradle Roll. Once again we left the women thinking very seriously about signing the Pledge and joining the Union. Two are hoping to join the Otorohanga Union. Although I have lived in the King Country all my life it is the first time I have been to these parts, and it gave me quite a thrill to he travelling round with the Maor Organiser. W e arrived hack in 1 e Kuiti about a quarter past six in the evening. On Thursday morning, 20th, about II o’clock, we left home fer Mahonenui, 31 miles from le Kuiti. On arriving there we called at Mrs. Kingi’s home and had a lttle talk with her about the W.C.T.U., and she was so interested about it that she signed the Pledge and joined our Te Kuiti branch. She also signed the Mother’s Pledge putting her baby cn our Cradle Roll. We were due at Mrs. Heperi’s home at half past one 1 his lady is a country member of Te Kuiti Union and was waiting to serve us with a lovely hot cup of tea. Although the weather was dreadful that day we had quite a gathering of ladies, and once again we were fortunate to get more new members tc our Te Kuiti branch, also more babie‘ for our Cradle Roll. This day we had Mrs. Ewan, our Treasurer, with us, and I must say she was kept busy writing receipts and adding more sisters to our Union. We brought the meeting to an end and our hostess’s husband gave a hearty welcome to us, the visitors, and to all those who were present, for our visit to their home. We were very thankful to arrive home safely as we had to travel part of the way through a storm of thunder and hail and it was dark. M. JOSEPH (Mrs.), President, Maori W.C.T.U.