NAVY LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 264, 4 August 1937, Page 4

NAVY LEAGUE

Annual Meeting of Ladies' Auxiliary The annual meeting of the ladies’ auxiliary committee of the Navy League was held in the league’s rooms, Lambton Quay, yesterday morning, .Mrs. P. Marshall being in the chair. The main business wits the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet and the election of officers. .During the year, the report stated, two new members have been welcomed to the committee —Mrs. Graham Robertson and Mrs. Oliver, wife of the second member of the Naval Board, and they have both been most helpful in all the Navy League’s activities. In December the resignation wars received, with regret, of Mrs. Lance Moore, who has been a most energetic committee member. She has left New Zealand, but hopes to do some Navy League work in Melbourne. In March leave of absence for the remainder of the year was granted to the president, Mrs. Leonard Tripp. Mrs. P. Marshall was appointed to be chairman during her absence, and Mrs. Cable to be hon. secretary. It was decided again to supply Sunday teas at the Missions to Seamen, once-in every alternate month. In the large hall of this institute there took place, in December. a very gay and happy function. The ladies’ auxiliary committee organised and carried out there a most successful Christmas party for the wives and children of ex-naval men. The junio r branch members of the executive committee, and several ardent Navy League supporters, gave donations, so it was possible to cater well and to give a present to each child. During the visit, in April, of ships of the Australian squadron, the Navy League gave a most.successful dance for tbe officers. Although its main object was to do honour to Rear-Admiral Lane Poole and big officers, and the guest list was a long one, it was gratifying that there was.a credit balance of more than £l4. Members of the committee also helped in the entertainment of the petty officers and men of the visiting ships at a dance in the Town Hall.

During the year the committee helped with tlie exhibition and sale of goods made by members of the British Disabled Sailors and Soldiers’ Mutual Association and with the street day on June 3, which was organised by the mayor in aid of the King George V Memorial Fund.

On Monday, May 31, the twenty-first anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, members of the committee were present at the Carillon when Sir James Grose, on behalf of the league, laid there an anchor of flowers in memory of the greatest naval engagement in the history of the world.

The junior branch, in addition to carrying out successfully its own undertakings, has been very helpful, to the ladies’ auxiliary committee. Early in the year determined efforts were made to get in touch with all enrolled members of this branch and interest in the league was stimulated by Captain Vaughan Morgan’s splendid address to them. In April, Mrs. Marshall resigned from the position of president of the junior branch, and Mr. Whatley and Mrs. Howard Reid consented to act as president and deputypresident respectively. Mrs. Larnach moved the adoption of the report, this being seconded by Mrs. ’R. D. Oliver, and Mrs. Seymour spoke of how the movement wag progressing and of how the public was becoming more aware of the league’s activities. The following officers were elected : — President, Mrs. Leonard Tripp; vicepresidents, Mrs. Larnach, Mrs. lan Duncan; chairwoman, Mrs. P. Marshall ; committee, Lady Shirtcliffe, Mesdames Walker, Hansford, Johnson, Adams, Middleton, Howard, Reid, Seymour, Blackey, Morton Paterson, Edney, Gibson Stott, Head, Peter Maclean, Graham Robertson, Whatley, Geoffrey Goodwin, Philip Hanna, R. D. Oliver, and Miss Cable; honorary treasurer, Mrs. Whatley; acting-honorary secretary, Miss Cable; trustees, Mrs. Larnach and Miss Cable.