AT HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 205, 28 August 1918, Page 3

AT HOME.

An "At Home" took place at "F.OXfield," Mrs. Attwood'a charming home, Takapuna. on Thursday afternoon. The day was perfect, and combined with the pleasure of seeing the numerous garments made by the Takapuna branch ot the Navy League, consisting of Mrs. Cunningham and the Misses Bond, L. Bond. N. Boak, M. Webster, Marjono Webster. M. Buchanan. Blomfield, R. Turton, C. Brown. Cory, L. Cory. B. O'Xefl and A. O'Neil. drew about forty guests to "Troxfield," where a pleasanb time was spent inspecting the children's clothes, which -.vere spread out in the dining-room, alid consisted of little frocks, little llannel shirts, pants and knitted woollen articles. Afternoon tea was served in the drawing-room, while bunches of sweet-smelling violets, sweet pens and lavender sticks were for sale. During the afternoon Mrs. Booth sang, and a short address was delivered by Mrs. George Bloomiield, president of _ the Navy League. Mrs. Bloomfjeld explained what the parent League in England did with the clothes forwarded from time to time from Auckland, and congratulated Mrs. Attwood and her committee on the amount of work accomplished. Lady Callahan had written to say that the little grey dresses were much appreciated by the mothers from the saddest of reasons—the children were orphans, their fathers lost at sea protecting our shoreS4 During the year l_dy Callahan stated one committee had helped 1497 cases of distress amongst the wives of naval men, and 11,000 parcels had been sent to the ships during the last year. Tlie Navy League takes charge of the navy prisoners of war, and for this work £220 has been sent to England. The local branch had adopted four prisoners, and four guineas a. month were needed for each. In the letter what the Navy had done was referred to. Thirty millions of men had crossed the seas, with only the loss of 700 by enemy action. Mrs. Bloomiield stated that the Ladies' Emergency Committee received £5 a month from Ponsonby and £30 a month from Remuera, beside? assistance from other collectors. Mrs. Attwood explained that Takapuna was only a small sub-branch, which had been working for two years, and it was with the idea of increasing membership that the "At Home" was arranged. They hoped to reach a membership of a hundred. The branch had between £25 and £30 in hand from the proceeds of a bazaar, and £3 8/- was made by sale of violets and laveuder bags.