Page:Picturesque Dunedin.djvu/264

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238
PICTURESQUE DUNEDIN.

on 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.


DUNEDIN YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

This institution is linked with the name of the late Rev. Dr. Sommerville, of Glasgow, and, like many other useful organisations, it had a small beginning in the shape of a suggestion casually thrown out by that gentleman on the occasion of his evangelistic visit to Dunedin in the year 1878. The suggestion was received with approval, and steps were promptly taken to carry it into effect. To avoid mistakes likely to arise from inexperience, and to ensure a sound basis, it was deemed advisable to obtain the services of a lady possessing a practical knowledge of the working of such societies, and to that end Miss Thomson, (now Mrs. W. Downie Stewart,) then resident in Melbourne, was invited to visit Dunedin, and give the promoters the benefit of her experience. The arrangements were soon brought to a successful ssue, and the Dunedin Young Women's Christian Association was established on the 2nd of August, 1878. The late Rev. Lindsay Mackie, minister of the First Church, manifested a deep interest in it from its formation, and to him it is indebted for much practical sympathy and counsel. The late Mrs. John Bathgate