The Mayoress of Christchurch, Mrs. H. Holland

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 169, 22 August 1914, Page 6

The Mayoress of Christchurch, Mrs. H. Holland

JUST a fortnight ago the Mayoress of Christchurch (Mrs H. Holland), called a meeting of women in the Council. Chambers, to (Jecide what action should be taken iu response to an appeal issued, on behalf of the citizen army, by her Excellency Lady Liverpool. Pew will forget that meeting. Women of all creeds and classes gathered in the largest room the building afforded, until it was filled to overflowing, and then they stood in the doorways, landing, and even on the .stairs. The deep, dread note of war had but newly come . to lis from" overseas, and feeling, as it always does in the first flush of battle, ran high. Patriotism and loyalty was " stirred to the depths, and every woman felt that she wanted to do something in Britain's cause, —inaction was the one thing that could not be tolerated. There was so much eagerness, so much excitement, that chaos threatened. But one 'I lady, small of stature, quiet voiced, gentle, accustomed more to the claiiiis of home than of public life, sat in a great chair at the head of the table, and somehow evolved order and method out of the upheaval. That -woman was Mrs Holland; Mrs Holland has occupied the position of Mayoress of Christchurch since 1912, .when her husband was for the first time elected Mayor of this City. He was re-elected in 1913, and is now serving his third term, so that Mrs Holland is not altogether unacquainted x" with the duties which devolve upon the wife of a town's chief magistrate. Still, she is one of those women who have never courted publicity, although ready at all times to faithfully discharge the obligations of her position. This is - amply shown by the way in which she. ' lias thrown herself heart and__soul into the important work of equipping our soldiers, —a task that has required no small amount of energy, ability, tact, and self-sacrifice.

Who Leads the Canterbury Equipment Movement

Out of the first Executive Committee appointed two weeks ago have sprung many other branch organisations, and Mrs Holland has been in close touch with everyone. Nothing is done until she has been consulted, no project is taken in hand until she has signified her approval. A dozen schemes, plans, and arrangements are submitted to her in an hour. A problem crops tip- —it is taken to her for solution. The general secretary, her assistants, and the other members of the executive are all working hard, and giving splendid service, but naturally there ■ must be a leader, and the "burden always lies heaviest .on the shoulders of the man or woman whom circumstances have placed in the forefront. Mrs Holland's position is no sinecure, and so it can Avell be imagined that she is experiencing a time. The occasion makes the man: in this case it has made the. woman. Organising, directing, planning for ' a dozen committes, speaking at meetings, and such work is not sought after by her for its own sake. Indeed, it is work that she would rather be inclined to shrink from, in the ordinary course of events. But now it is for the soldier sons of Canterbury, and for them Mrs Holland has put her hand to the -plough joyfully, finding full reward for her exertions in the thought that she is able to be of service to them. Ouiv citizen army, when under strange skies, should feel doubly brave, and inspired to big deeds, when they think of the loyal at home, who made it their pride and their privilege to equip them with every necessity and every comfort that the rules of the war game allowed. Particularly should they feel grateful to Mrs Holland, who headed the movement in Canterbury with such signal success.