WORK OF NAVY LEAGUE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27694, 25 June 1955, Page 2

WORK OF NAVY LEAGUE

CANTERBURY BRANCH’S REPORT “The Canterbury branch of the Navy League was established in 1896, but we must not rest on the proud record of our founders of 59 years ago,’’ says the president of the branch ’Captain G. H. Dennistoun), in his annual report. “It is the duty of all members to do their utmost to further the aims of the league by their attendance whenever possible at functions arranged by your executive, not merely the social gatherings, organised mainly jto finance the Sea Cadet movement and the entertainment of visiting ships and sailormen. but at meetings where a speaker has been asked to address members, usually on naval matters.

Lieutenant-Commander F. J. Glanville, commanding officer of the Sea Cadet Corps, says that the corps is at full stren gth with eight officers and 130 cadets, 100 of the cadets being at the headquarters unit and 30 at the Sumner sub-division. Sixteen cadets carried out sea training in H.M S Kiwi during the May term holidays and 30 cadets attended a Sea Cadet training course in H.M.S. Tamaki during January. The Sumner subdivision has reached its establishment of 30 cadets, all of whom appear very keen but there is still an urgent need for training equipment. During the year the women’s auxiliary raised more than £2BO, and also presented £lOO to the Sumner Sea Cadet building fund. Parcels were sent to the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, and many letters of thanks were received. Comforts were also sent to Korea and parcels to the sponsored boy. Members of the sewing circle had an active year working for the stalls and garden party. Twenty-six new members have been welcomed during the year, which brings the membership to 120 financial members, says the report of the junior branch. Parcels of food and clothing have been sent to the sponsored child in England, and profits from two jumble sales to the Sea Cadets.