SPECIAL REPORTS

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 8, 1 September 1948, Page 6

SPECIAL REPORTS

LONG SERVICE BADGE PRESENTED, GISBORNE UNION At a recent meeting of the Gisborne W.C.T.U. Mrs. \\. E. Goffe was presented with a “Long-Service” Badge in recognition of .$0 years of faithful and untiring service with tli* 'V.C.T.U. in New Zealand. Mrs. Goffe has been an officer in the Gisl)orne Branch for ninny years and has attended many Conventions in all parts of the Dominion. She has set a high standard of service for others to maintain. In presenting Mrs. Goffe with her well-earned badge. Mrs. \. Clement, President of the Branch, said that no one had done more for the Temperance Cause over a long period of years than Mrs. Goffe, and she wished her many more years of loving and faithful service in the cause so dear to her heart. Mrs. Goffe suitably replied and said that this was the first badge of its kind to be presented in Gisborne. She said she would be proud to wear it and would still do her very best for the Union. Other members spoke and wished Mrs. Goffe many more years of useful and inspiring work in our cause. FAREWELL TO THE REV. R. B. SPENCE. DANNEVIRKE At a very well attended anti thoroughly representative social gathering held in the Coronation Hall, Dannevirke, recently, the Rev. R. B. Spence, who has been Minister of Knox Church (Presbyterian) since 1040, was farewelled. Among those present were representatives of the W.C.T.U., the Orange Lodge, the Salvation Army, Church of England, Methodist. Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventist, and Presbyterian Churches. Early in the evening Mrs. Spence was presented with a bouquet of ♦lowers bv Mrs. Paviour Smith. Many speakers expressed their gratitude for the fearless stand taken by Mr. Spence against all forms of wrong-doing, especially the drink evil. Reference was made to the striking pamphlet written by him during the I*>l4-18 war. ‘‘Thcv Death-Rattle of Nations,” which had run into 50,000 copies. Among the speakers was Mrs. Major ( alcott, Pre sident of the Dannevirke W.C.T.U. Mrs. Calcott said she was sure that the District Executive would wish to he associated with her in this tribute to Mr. Spence’s work. Referring to some words spoken by a “Borer C ure” representative who was visiting the district to the effect that there are 14 members of the Borer family, some attacking various timbers. Mrs. Calcott said that the homes of the people were built on Christian character, principle and love, but the Borer of Intemperance we had to fight was intoxicants, gambling in its many forms, and all the attendant evils. Mr. Spence had been fearless in ex-

posing these evils in the pulpit, among the youth, on public platforms and in the press. Of some peopK we could say, “What you are speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say,” but of the reverend gentleman one must say, "What he lives speaks so loudly that it clarifies all he says." His example had been to the Temperance Cause as a City set on a hill. A musical programme and supper were part of the evening’s entertainment. A well-filled envelope was handed to Mr. Spence by Mr. Paviour Smith. Many references were made to the work of Mrs. Spence in the district which would cause her to he very greatly missed. SUNDAY SCHOOL ART COMPETITION, HAWERA UNION The annual painting competition tor Sunday School children under the auspices of the Hawera W.C.T.U. was finalised recently, the results being arrived at by the judging of Miss V. B. Rigden, Hawera Technical School Art Mistress. The following are the Hitt : Senior Grade: Suzanne Livingston (Tukaroa), 1; Edna Alexander, 2; Nita Price (Matapu) and Shirley Cleaver (Tokaora), commended. Intermediate: Senior: Collen Donald (Tokaora), 1 ; Janice Fraser (Turuturu), 2; Shirley Alexander (Matapu) and Shelby Gower (Turuturu), commended. Junior: Joy Wards (Tokaora), 1 ; Noeline McCallum (Matapu), 2; Pat \ger (Matapu) and Jean Phillips (Turuturu), commended. Junior: Rex Brogden (Galt St.), 1; Alice Smith (Turuturu), Lois Wards (Tokaora), and Betty Kienner (Matapu), commended. Primary: Max WilmDiurst (Methodist Sunday School), 1; Ailcen Stansbury (Matapu), 2; Les Price and Ester Mason (Matapu), commended. HOME MEETING, FENCOURT UNION A most enjoyable and successful Home Meeting was held on July 22 by the Kencourt Union at the home of Mrs. Clark. Among the 16 ladies present we were very pleased to have with us three non-members. The meeting opened with the reading of Psalm 46, after which Miss L. McLay, Dominion Organiser, led in prayer. A solo was rendered by Miss Olwyn Clark, and tw'o competitions were enjoyed by all. Miss Mcl.ay gave a most interesting address telling of the difficulties the W. ladies experienced when the organisation first began. She also told of the distressing results of alcohol on the human l>ody and mind. The speaker made an appeal for new members. Miss Rickard, President, moved a vote of thanks to Miss McLay for her address. Afternoon tea brought the nucting to a close.

34TH BIRTHDAY PARTY, TAKAPUNA UNION The July meeting of the Takapuna Union took the form of a birthday party, being the 34th anniversary of the forming of this Union. Despite a very stormy day there a large attendance, and the guests were welcomed by Mrs. Morgan-Richards. The opening hymn, “Fight the good fight” was rendered with gusto, and this was followed by a reading from the 15th chapter of St. Matthew' by Mrs. Morgan-Richards.

The Rev. S. W. Leather led in prayer and later gave a talk on the new proposals to change the form of the election papers and the periods suggested between polls. Mr. Roberts, a member of the Licensing Committee, gave a brief resume of the work done in this area. Mrs. Catton gave a humorous recitation, “Mother’s Birthday,” which was warmly applauded The beautiful birthday cake was tinchief item at afternoon tea. It was made by Mrs. Wallace, iced by Mrs. Petchell, and decorated by Mrs. Trussing, who made little bows of white and blue ribbon to garnish it. Mrs. Carter, who was the first Secretary, cut the cake and gave some interesting reminiscences of the early days, and of how she had received a letter of thanks from the Band of Hope Union in 1918 for her work done among the young people. She was presented with a bouquet with the loving greetings of all present. Mrs. Mountjoy, the District President, moved a vote of thanks to the speaker's, and the Benediction brought a very happy and profitable afternoon to a close. HOME MEETING. ONEHUNGA UNION On June 30, at the residence of Mrs. Mountjoy, a Home Meeting was held by the Onehunga Union. It was a pleasant, homely little gathering, when many small items of business were freely arranged and discussed. The hostess gave an interesting description of a round* of visits which had, one day just previously, been paid to all the Homes and Institutions in Auckland conducted by the Salvation Army, invitations for that purpose having been sent from the S.A. Headquarters to many ladies representing churches and various organisations. The activities of that body were found to be numerous and far-reaching in their efforts to assist people in every walk of life, and of all ages—literally from the cradle to the grave—who are in difficulties, needing sympathetic advice or assistance in time of trouble. The houses visited were Bethany Maternitv Hospital, the Home for F.lderlv Ladies at Mount Eden, the Orphanage at Herne Bay, Ruth Lodge at Parnell (which is for women and g ; rh) and the Working Men’s Home at F.psnm. Mrs. Mount joy’s description of the arrangements at all the places was much enjoyed by all. who realised that she, and the others of the party, had been fortunate in seeing that successful work.