VICE-REGAL VISIT

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23809, 1 December 1942, Page 2

VICE-REGAL VISIT

LADY NEWALL AT SERVICES’ CLUB When Lady Newall visited the Women’s Active Services’ Club in High street last evening members of the services sang a new song, "The Legion of Women,’’ dedicated to the women of the fighting forces, and sung for the first time at any gathering. The words were written by Mr E. Merrie, and the music composed by Mr H. Hoskins, and the song was received with enthusiasm. At a gathering held at the Women’s Active Services’ Club last evening, and honoured by the presence of her Excellency. Miss M. G. Havelaar, chairwoman of the club committee, announced that the club had become so popular that it was necessary for the Canterbury Provincial Patriotic Council to hire another room for the use of dub members, and this loom will be used as a games room. Miss Havelaar added that to help to defray the extra expense entailed, it was proposed to hold a garden fete in February, and Mr J. H. Rhodes had offered the grounds of his home, "Oakford,” Riccarton road, for the gathering, Her Excellency, who is commandant-in-chief of women’s active services in New Zealand, last night visited the Women’s A ctive Services’ Club in Christchurch, a club that was founded at her suggestion when she was in Christchurch about a year ago. Lady Newall, who arrived in Christchurch by aeroplane yesterday, was accompanied to the club by Captain H. G. Holmore, M.8.E., and was received by the Mayoress, Miss E. Couzins, and the chairwoman of the club committee, Miss M. G. Havelaar. After inspecting the club rooms, her Excellency addressed the officers and members of all the services, of whom more than 100 wore present. She reminded thorn of the excellent war work that was being done by the women of Britain, and said that women had proved their' great courage and capacity for self-control and had shown convincingly that with patience and perseverance they could accomplish most difficult tasks. It would always be women’s responsibility, she said, to create order, to soothe and to praise. She added that the Womcn.’s Active Service Club in Christchurch was the first of its kind to be opened in the Dominion, but she was happy to know that similar clubs were now being founded in other centres. A short musical programme was presented by members of the services. Officers present were Junior Commander Mrs E. G. Kerr; Commandant of the North Canterbury Centre of the Red Cross Society, Mrs J. G. L. Vernon; Commandant of the North Canterbury Centre of St. John Ambulance, Mrs T. E. Wiltshire, Flight Officer R. Sin-clair-Thomson, and Flight Officer Herdman.