MAYORAL RECEPTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 273, 17 November 1936, Page 13

MAYORAL RECEPTION.

MISS DRAYTON WELCOMED.

An informal Mayoral reception was tendered to Miss Gertrude Drayton, secretary to the Victoria League in London for the past 20 years, soon after her arrival by the Awatea yesterday morning. The reception was given by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, in the Mayoral rooms, and members of the league executive and council were present.

"T-lie world would be in a sad state," said the Mayor in welcoming Miss Drayton, "were it not for the place women are taking in it." He stressed the value of the work being undertaken by women's organisations throughout the world to-day and paid a tribute to those committee members who worked so hard for so little praise. Mr. Davis also referred in terms of high praise to the work for which the Victoria League of the Dominion, under the leadership of Miss Mowbray, had been responsible, and expressed the opinion that New Zealanders were sound to the core in upholding the British Constitution.

In reply Miss Drayton expressed, her very great pleasure at being in New Zealand after having looked forward to it for so long. The Victoria League headquarters in London, she said, had tlio pleasure of knowing many New Zealanders and were always happy to welcome any members from this country. The friendliness that bound members of the league was, she. thought, second only to loyalty to the Throne as an important link of Empire. Miss A. Quayle, on behalf of the Overseas League, also welcomed Miss Drayton and wished her a pleasant stay in New Zealand.

The president of the Victoria League, Miss Mowbray, at the invitation of the Mayor, then welcomed Miss Drayton on behalf of the league and its many helpers.

The guest of honour, who was wearing an ensemble of nut brown flat crepe with hat to tone and furs, was the recipient of a spray of orchids and carnations in pastel shades. Morning tea was then served and the members present were enabled to meet and talk with Miss Drayton. •

Among those present were: Miss J. A. Mowbray, Mesdames A. A. Edgar, J. B. Macfarlane, C. Keeble, L. S. Bickerby, Eliot Davis, Preston Chambers, S. A. Stride, Carr-Smith, Harry Goldie, Miss Heath Slator, Miss C. Murray, Miss E. M. Statham, Dr. S. A. Stride, Mr. W. Crowther and Mr. Townley Little.