VICTORIA LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18631, 4 March 1926, Page 2

VICTORIA LEAGUE.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Ghristcliureli branch of tho Victoria League was held in tlio Jellicoc Hall yesterday afternoon, the Mayor, Mr J. K. Archer, presiding over a large attendance of ladies. Tlio chairman said that ono of tho main objects of tho League was to stimulate Imperial information between the Dominions and Great Britain, and aUo establish closer touch between the various British subjects. Annual Report. The annual report, stated that 79 new members, five ol ; whom were life members, had joined, fourteen resignations had been received, and tlio total membership now stood at 950. Th© committee had met every second month during the year. Mrs J. A. Flesher signed from the committej and Mrs J. K. Archer was elected in her place. A new departure had been made this year by holding quarterly meetings of members, and it was hoped that they would become increasingly popular, as they gave a good opportunity for members to meet each other and dismiss subjects of interest-. At one of the mo'.tiiigs Professor J. B. Condlifi'o gave an address on "The Peoples of the Empire," and at the next meeting Dr. John Guthrie spoke on "Migration." A number of members had gone to the Motherland and 29 letters of introduction had been sent to th© Homo Office. Tho thanks of this branch were due to Miss Drayton and her committee for their great kindness and unbounded hospitality to members.

The president, Mrs Deans, had had leave of absence all this year to allow of her visiting England, and she had been much missed. A warden party, given by the members of the League to wish her farewell, was attended by 300 members. Mrs W. S. Bean had filled the office of acting-president rrith nuich ability and success. Mr G. A. U. Tapper, who acted as hon. treasurer for many years, had gone to England for a year, and his place was talven by Miss Overton.

The fourth Dominion conference was held in Dunedin on November 24th and 2oth, and was attended by Mrs J. M. Tripp and Mrs C. Chilton as delegates from tho branch. It was during the sitting of this conference that the sad news of tho death of Queen Alexandra, tho Queen-Mother, arrived. A motion of. sympathy was cabled to the King, and Queen from all the branches of tile Victoria League of Noit' Zealand, and a wreath was, arranged for. The death of Mr J. W. Napier, president of the Auckland branch of tho Victoria League and a staunch friend to the Empire, was also reported at the conference. In accordance with the usual custom, a wreath was placed at the foot of Queen Y ipr toria's statue in Victoria square in Christchurch on May 24th, and the usual donation towards the Empire wreath was sent to the head office in London. A wreath was sent on Anzac Day to the Returned Soldiers' Association.

Among the activities of the League may he mentioned: Help given on Poppy Day for the Returned Soldiers' • Unemployment Fund. On this occasion the Victoria League collected £ll2 lis od ; £5 was given to help tho R:S.A. Christmas tree fund; £3 to the Nurses' Memorial , Chapel at Christchurch Hospital, and £43 2s was the gratifying result of a produce stall at the Hospital fete for the destitute patients' fund. The Victoria League had also assisted- the Citizens' Committee to entertain 'the men of the U.S.A. Fleet and tho Australian Fleet During tho year a society called the Imperial Mission was formed, some of tho objects of which were similar to those of the Victoria League. The League had agreed to help the Imperial Mission as far .s its constitution allowed, and Mrs J. Gore-Newell had been appointed the Victoria League delegate to the Imperial Mission Committee.

The school essay competition held in conjunction with tho Navy League had been a great success. Two thousand children entered for the competition, and the Victoria League prizes were awarded to Mabel D Hetherton, Girls' High School, first prize. The subject of the essay was: "What is the Probable Influence of the Recent Visit of the United States Fleet to Australia and New Zealand on the Relations Between the British Empire and the United States of America?" Mr A. J. Mayne, M.A.. the judge, in awarding the first prize to Miss Hetherton, stated: "Her essay is thoughtful, her ideas follow one another in logical sequence, and though she is slightly inferior to the one who comes second in regard to rhythm and vim, this is more than atoned for by tho thoroughness with which she treats her subject." Class B, boys and girls under 15 years of age:—Hilda Collis, RangiRuru, Christchurch, second prize; Kathleen Morgan, St. Margaret's College, a very close third. ,

Tho subject of essay : "Our Empire in 1913 and 1923; A Comparison and a Contrast." The judge, Mr C. D. Hardie, M.A., reported: "Considering the age of the candidates, tho work presented may be considered highly commendable." First and second class certificates for the respective writers of the best and second best essays in the two senior standards, irrespective of sex, were awarded. Conditions were forwarded to 230 primary schools. The headmasters in each case selected essays for certificates, and 38 sent in essays, the certificates being distributed as follows: Standard VI. 38 first-class certificates and 32 second-class certificates; Standard V., 32 firsi>class certificates and 35 second-class certificates. Head teachers had their choice of the following subjects:—• 1. "Tho Prince of Wales as an Imperial Ambassador." i 2. about the career of your favourite Empire builder." 3. "Write what you know about New Zealand's dependencies in the Pacific." 4. "Naval History in the Keign of Queen Elizabeth." 5._ "Write your ideas regarding the spirit of Nelson's Prayer in relation to the Navy of to-day." Nearly 2000 essays were written in the competitions. Mr T. W. Eowe, Mi./1 L.8., who supervised the.Judging of the teachers, reports as follows : —"I have found, as usual, that the teachers have done their work conscientiously and well, and I have altered tho order given by them in only two instances. "Reporting on the essays generally, I have to say that their merit, as is natural, varies greatly, but the majority are creditable alike to pupil and teacher. It is evident that much interest is taken in the cotnoetition, and

I have no doubt that it helps ill '/■« growth of a spirit of loyalty and of love of country and lofty ideals, and of admiration for nobility and heroism, in boys and girls at a most receptive and impressionable age."

The lion, secretary of the Library Committee (Jilisa Bromley Cocks) reported that during the last year they had sent out 220 magazines and papers, and about the same number of books. The demand for mags sines and papers was now exceeding the supply and the committee would be very glad of donations of fairly recent magazines and illustrated papers. Miss McOwen reported that up to the present Si children had bees linked up with, correspondents in other parts of the Empire and 24 children ia England were waitisg to be placed in communication with children in New Zealand. Jt was a, matter of audi

disappointment that this branch of the League's work had not received greater support. Tho Xew Settlers' Committee reported that the committee was set up three years ago, to help immigration by encouraging tho right class of immigrants and for tiio earo of girls who come out to settle. So far they , had been able to look after all who had come to us through the 5.0.5.8. W. in London, thev have not numbered more than one or two, a mouth, and they had all with one or two exceptions, settled down happily in good positions. Suitable applicants "for domestic work were granted free, or assisted passages by the Government, but some girls who were able, preferred to pay their own passages. Settlers who wanted an assisted, or frco passage, had to be nominated by permanent residents of Xew Zealand. Sometimes tliero had been unavoidable delay after a nomination had be?n sent to England, but the distance made it difficult to obtain information at once, unless it was sent by the more expensive way of cabling. It was unfortunate that in several instances, after cabling nominations, at a cost of £1 each through the Immigration Office tlio nominees had cancelled their passages, through some alterations of plans at the, last moment. It had now been arranged to send open nominations, and if one applicant was unable to sail, another suitable for that post would be found, and the Government had agreed to send several nominations together, by cable, for tho cost of one. Tho balance sheet showed a credit of £385 6s lOd.

Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows: — > President: Mrs Deans, Kiccarton House, Kiccarton; Vice-Presidents: Mrs H. D. Acland, Mrs W. S. Bean, Mrs Elworthy, Mrs A. E. G. Khodcs, Lady Rhodes, Mrs Carey Hill; hon. secretary: Mrs Chilton; lion, trc arer: Mr 6. A. U. Tapper; acting-treasurer: Miss Overton; committee: Mesdames H. T. D. Acland, H. D. Acland, G. Hanmer, L. Wilson, Lady Boys, Mesdames E. C. Crosse, J. H. Hall, G. A. U. Tapper, A. Boyle, J. G. L. Vernon, T. G R. Blunt, W. S. Bean, E. Harper, G. M . L. Lester, E..G. Hogg, J. Stevenson, H. T. J. Thacker, J. Studholme, J. Gore-Newell, J. Cracroft Wilson, J. B. Beckett, W. H. Orbell, A. Anderson, J. M. Tripp, J. K. Archer, Misses Gibson, Overton, McOwen, and Bromley Cocks; country representatives, Mrs Elworthy, Claremont, Timaru, Mrs Vesey Eobinson, Amberley, Mrs Ernest Cooke, Lincoln, Mrs Bernard Tripp, Tiniaru; education committee, Miss McOwen (secretary), Mesdames J. GoreNowell, W. S. Beau, J. G. L. Vernon; book distribution committee, Mias Bromley Cocks (secretary), Misses Joyce Gibson, Lettice Tapper, Elizabeth Harris, and Fay Gibson; new settlers' committee, Mrs J. M. Tripp (convener), Misa Overton (secretary), Mesdames Deans, Chilton, Misses Bromley Cocks and M. Cotterill.

WEDDING. HODGE —REID. V At the Presbyterian Church, Lyttelton, recently, was celebrated one of the prettiest weddings seen in.tho Port for some time. The bride was Mary Borland, second daughter of Mrs James and, the late Mr J. Reid, of Lyttelton, and the bridegroom Stanley, only son of Mr and Mrs S. Hodge, of Gore. The church was prettily decorated for the occasion, the Rev. J. B. Nichol was the officiating clergyman, and Miss Ruth Hatchwell presided at the organ. The bride, who entered the church on the arm of her stepfather, looked cha.rming in her beautiful gown of ivory goorgette with long straight bodice and flared skirt trimmed with dainty handmade lace. Her long court train, hung from tho shoulders, was finished with dainty trails of orange blossom buds, and her embroidered tulle veil wa3 held in place by a coronet of orange blossom. She carried a shower bouquet of pink and white hothouse flowers. Three bridesmaids were in attendance. Miss Queenie Cornish wore a dainty sleeveless frock of wistariamauve and silver brocaded charmeuso satin, with long bodice and godeted skirt. Miss Nancy Aid (cousin of tho bride) wore a lemon and silver brocaded charmeuse satin, similarly made. Both maids wore tulle veils with bandeaux of dainty flowers to match their frocks, and carried bouquets of., pink and mauve hothouse flowers. Miss Jean Reid, sister of the bride, wore shell-pink crepe de chine with a bandeau of pink and silver leaves in her hair. She carried a bouquet' of pink flowers.

The duties of best; man were carried out by Mr Frank Hill, of Heathcote, and Mr A. Eeid acted as groomsman. After the ceremony, a reception was held at tho Canterbury Hotel, where about eighty guestE were entertained. Mrs James, mother of tho bride, wore a smart frock of navy repp, relieved with fawn, and a smart black hat. Mrs Hodge, mother of the bridegroom, wore grey marocain, with hat to match. Mrs H. Scott, sister of tho bride, wore a becoming two-piece frock of navy cloth, trimmed with ribbon in Oriental colourings, and smart hat of blue corded silk finished with gold tiasue.

When leaving for her wedding trip, the bride wore an attractive ensemble suit of blue and gold, a chic little navy hat trimmed with French flowers, and carried a beautiful coat of brown cloth with fur trimmings.