WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 77, 1 April 1922, Page 16

WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE

WORK OF LOCAL BRANCHES

The work of the local branches of the Women's National Reserve was highly lauded in the annual report of the Wellington District Executive, submitted to the annual meeting last night. The organiser expressed gratitude for sympathy and considerate treatment received by her from members, and especially referred to the excellent result of £708 5s lOd from the last Violet Day, free of expenses. At Berhampore Mrs. Beales was president, Mr 3. Harria was vice-president, and Miss Finlayson secretary. The branch assisted Newtown and Island Bay on Violet Day and: raised £27. The sum of £(i 16s was subscribed towards a cot and £1 donated to the Vestry pf St. Cuthbert's Church for the use of the schoolroom. Individual members were also praised for their personal assistance. The report stated that Mrs. Bear had been elected president of ihe Hataitai branch. Mrs. Searle, an experienced and able leader, was resigning this year, and the executive, while regretting her severance, was deeply indebted for her offer of advice and help in any way. Mrs. Fortune was the enthusiastic secretary of the Hataitai group, and a strong committee assisted. . The sum of £40 0s 6d was raised by the branch this year, and in addition the Nursery and Seamdn'e Mission had benefited by valuable lelp. Thanks were offered to the Kilbirnie branch for gifts of vegetables and fruit to the Residential Nursery. Mrs. Taylor was in charge. - This branch was to link vp 1 with Wellington South, and splendid results were .predicted for the coming year. : The amalgamation of Karori-road, Northland, and Kelburn branches of the W.N.R. took place last year under Mrs. Murray Gardner as president and Mrs. Snell, secretary. The committee instituted a series of gift afternoons for the Residential Nursery, with excellent results. The splendid spirit of the members was commended by the executive. The sum of £20 was acknowledged from this branch for the nursery. The rocw"|'t of the handsome sum came as a delightful surprise to the executive and was further proof of the solid work of this i new branch. At Seatoun, Miss Freeman had replaced Mrs; Bradney Williams, the former president, who had to resign owing to the illness of Mr. Bradney Williams. Her indefatigable service, Her loyalty, enthusiasm, and thoroughness were commendable attributes of her position. Miss Fowler, former secretary, had left the district, and Mrs. George lay had taken hei' place.. Mrs. Gardner'was elected to fill the place of Mrs. A. Smith (treasurer), who resigned. • The work of Mr. and Mrs. Kellow (acting-treasurers during Mrs. Smith's illness) was of great benefit, and all were extremely grateful for their, services. Miramar, Karaka .Bay, and Worser Bay were represented, and the ' Seatoun committee, which branch had a membership, of 63. It had made a large number of garments for the nursery, supplied toys and Christmastree, gifts, while Mrs. Owen had donated beautiful little shoes. Altogether the branch raised over ' £200 for the year. Thank's were extended to Mrs. Black for the use of her house for monthly meetMrs., Shirer was president of the Wellington South branch, Mrs. Cooper was treasurer, and Mrs. Kamsay was secretary. The work of Mrs. and Miss Bennett had been invaluable to the nursery; Mrs. S. Luke was another untiring worker, and to these ladies grateful thanks were given. A jumble sale recently held to raise funds to buy material for a bazaar in aid of the nursery realised £13. The president of theKarori bra#;h was Mrs. James Mackenzie, and other executive officers were Mrs. Bristow (vicepresident) and Miss Ruby M'Gregor (secretary). Groceries and produce were sent each month to tKe .Residential Nursery, while in addition to offerings, the branch contributed £10 to the . funds. The assistance given by Mrs. Sidney Kirkcaldie was warmly eulogised. ' At Lower Hutt the activities of trie branch were in the hands of Mrs. M' 1Arthur (president), and the members had worked splendidly, contributing eggs regularly to the nursery and helping financially. Mrs. Willis had accepted the offTcs of I president of the Wadestown branch, vice Mrs. Walker, who had left Wellington. Mrs. .T. P. Firth was, vice-president, and Miss H?U Kenrefoiry, and the branch had a record of faithful service to its credit. Flowers for the memorial cemetery at Karon were supplied once a quarter, and monthly subscriptions were sent to the nursery. The sum of £61 6s lOd [ was raised during the year.