NAVY LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20907, 14 July 1933, Page 19

NAVY LEAGUE.

WORK COMMENDED BY

HEADQUARTERS.

MEETING OF GENERAL COMMITTEE.

Amongst the correspondence dealt with at the meeting of the general committee of the Canterbury branch of the Navy League last night was one from Rear-Admiral G. O. Stephenson, general secretary of the Navy League, London, expressing gratification with the work being done by the branch, as detailed in the annual report, and wishing the branch every success in its good work. Advice was received that H.M.S. Diomede is to visit Lyttelton from October 17 to 25, and as Navy Day occurs in that period it was decided to ask Commodore F. Burges Watson to arrange for a detachment from the ship to parade in the city, as was done on a previous occasion. The meeting was attended by Messrs A. K. Anderson (voted to the chair), A. W. MacGillivray, W. J. LeCren, C. G. Curtis, Lieut.-Commander R. C. E. Harding, Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson, Mrs H. Wyatt, and Miss Westall.

Women's Auxiliary. Mrs Wyatt reported that arrangements were well forward for the dramatic evening to be given on Monday in the Navy League Hall by members of the Drama Circle of the Canterbury Women's Club in aid of the funds. In 'addition to the items by the Drama Circle, a musical programme had been arranged, including a trio, composed by Mrs J. S. Russell, to be sung by Mesdames H. L. Bowker, E. W. Pidgeon, and W. F. Tait, and songs by Mesdames Ann Harper and R. J. McLaren. On behalf of the Women's Auxiliary, Mrs Wyatt reported that it was proposed to hold a bridge party in aid of the league's funds on Monday, September 18. Work of the Branch. Rear-Admiral G. O. Stephenson, general secretary of the Navy League, London, wrote expressing thanks for a copy of the annual report of the Canterbury branch. He added: "What valuable work you are doing. It is very encouraging to read about it and to realise how many people you must be influencing in the right way. It is especially satisfactory to see the number of junior and secondary school branch members you have. Admiral Geoffrey Blake often talks to me about his time in New Zealand, and the wonderful efficiency of your Navy League branches. May I wish you ail success in your good work?" It was decided to write and thank Rear-Admiral Stephenson for his very encouraging letter, and to express gratification with the progress being made by the league in England. Visit of H.M.S. Diomede.

Commodore F. Burges Watson wrots that it had been arranged for H.M S Diomede to visit Lyttelton from October 17 to 25.

■ It was decided to write and suggest to Commodore Burges Watson that he arrange for a detachment from the ship to parade in the city on Nelson Day. It was also decided, in the event of the parade being arranged, to provide morning tea for the men. It was suggested that there should be a members' evening during the stay of the warship.

| Junior Branch. The secretary gave a resume of the report of the annual meeting of the junior branch, which had been attended by 54 members. Many new members had been enrolled, and the attendance at the monthly meetings had averaged 50. The membership was increasing. The branch had entertained the officers and cadets of the Cornwall and the Northumberland. Several tea dances had been arranged, which had brought in funds to the league. Members of the branch have collected garments for the dependents of ex-seamen and ex-soldiers, which had been lianded to the Red Cross Society. They had also assisted at various street days, and had been responsible for collecting between £BO and £9O. It was decided to congratulate the members of the branch on their efforts and on their increasing memberships. Lecture at Rangi-Ruru. The secretary (Mr C. J. Treleaven) reported that a lecture by Lieuten-ant-Commander Harding and a moving picture entertainment had been given to the girls attending RangiKuru school, and had been attended also by some of the parents, on July 1, and had been very successful. A vote of thanks was accorded Lieu-tenant-Commander Harding for his lecture. It was decided to invite the headmasters of the different schools in Christchurch and vicinity asking them to notify the scholars that the league provided a moving picture entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7.30 to 9 o'clock, and to arrange for short talks and to screen pictures of the navy. Sir Hugh Acland wrote that he greatly appreciated the kind letter of the league congratulating him on the honour conferred upon him by his Majesty the King.