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Picturesque Dunedin: or Dunedin and its neighbourhood in 1890

The Dunedin Women's Cheistian Temperance Union

The Dunedin Women's Cheistian Temperance Union.

This institution was formed in May, 1885, and was the outcome of a visit from Mrs. Leavitt, the world's missionary from the American Women's Christian Temperance Union, and who was sent out to form unions and branch-unions wherever possible. Its object is the total suppression of the liquor traffic, and to that end its committee of ladies strive to influence Parliament by petitions, by helping at elections to return men favourable to the prohibition cause, and in all possible ways to arrest intemperance. Its place of meeting is a large building named Leavitt House, at the foot of Albany street. The building also serves the purpose of a boarding-house for females who desire privacy and quiet; but it is mainly, and to good purpose, used for gospel temperance work, and for juvenile free page 237educational classes of various kinds. These comprise male and female night classes for instruction in special school subjects (see Dr. Hislop's article on "Education"), and industrial classes for both sexes—the boys being under the superintendence of Mrs. George MacKenzie, of Leith street, and the girls under the direction of Mrs. James Miller, of Athol Place. At the industrial classes the girls are taught plain and fancy sewing, the boys are exercised in carpentry and cabinet work, and both boys and girls are instructed in all sorts of useful ornamental work, such as leather, cork, and shell picture frames brackets, flower-baskets, &c, &c. In the course of the weeks and months the articles are stored up, and periodically a bazaar is held, at which they are displayed for inspection and sale, and a remarkably good and enchanting display they make. Not only do the lads and girls receive the money realised by their own labour, but prizes are also given to those who excel in the different branches of industry; and in connection with all the work engaged in, the minds of the young people are persistently, and in all interesting ways, imbued with religious and temperance principles. When it is stated that the great majority of the boys and girls thus taken in hand would otherwise spend their evenings in idleness or in horse-play on the streets, it will readily be understood that the ennobling influence brought to bear upon them, and the benefits conferred upon them, cannot be over-estimated. So far the ladies of the Christian Temperance Union, and especially Mesdames McKenzie and Miller and their assistants, have had their reward. Numbers of boys and girls possessing force of character and ability, and full of animal spirits, and who for want of friendly control and guidance were-in danger of drifting into wild and dangerous courses, have had heir interest enlisted in the work of the classes, and their better nature brought into active exercise, with gratifying results.

But there are other branches of the Union's work. The Sailors' Rest, at the wharf end of Rattray street, is one. It is a fine building, and in it good reading matter and refreshments are supplied—the former gratis, and the latter at moderate prices—and all seamen in port are free to spend their leisure hours and transact their business (such as letter-writing, &c.) in the comfortable rooms provided for them. The rooms are also used page 238on the Sabbath evenings for religious services, and all the affairs of the "Rest" are under the direction of a sub-committee of ladies.

The Tahuna Park Temperance Refreshment Tent is another branch of the Union's work. Annually the Agricultural Show is held in this Park, and for the sake of exhibitors and visitors good temperance refreshments are provided—it is said with very-satisfactory results.

The most recent development is that of the Young Women's branch, known as the "Ys" (an American term of abreviation) who have made themselves felt by their successful effort to establish a Cabmen's Shelter. It is situated on the eastern side of the Cargill Monument, in Custom House Square, and in it good refreshments are supplied at moderate terms.

The membership of the Union numbers (November, 1889) 150, and its chief officers are Mrs. J. Fulton, Hon. Mrs. T. Dick and Miss Glasgow—President, Secretary, and Treasurer respectively. The "Ys" have a membership of about 50, and are presided over by Mrs. Sawell, junr.