NAVY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume 50, Issue 50, 27 August 1926, Page 11

NAVY LEAGUE

WELLINGTON BRANCH

RECOED OF PAST YEAB'S WOEK.

Though many difficulties faced the Work Committee of the Wellington branch of the Navy League in its activities, the annual report, which is to be presented at the meeting to be held this evening, records a very successful year's work. The report states that the work done by the schools was much delayed owing to the outbreak of infantile paralysis, some schools having been unable to complete the work in time. Funds were also short. TW difficulties, however, were overcome, and 621 garments had been sent away. In 1924, 450 were sent, so, instead of a deficit, which was expected, there was an increase of 171 garments. The Masterton branch forwarded 225 garments, making a total of 846. The committee was most grateful to the Masterton branch for its help, which had been freely given since the work for the sailors' children was started. Continuing, the report says:—"The girls' branch has helped us very much, sending many useful and pretty clothes, for which they provided their own material. This is the first year that the girls' branch has helped us in this work, and we should like to say how much* we appreciate it, and how cheering it is when help is volunteered. The Marton branch has also sent some very nice clothes and a. subscription of £2 25." LADIES' AUXILIARY. "During the visit of the American fleet," says the report of the Ladies' Auxiliary, "members of the Ladies' Auxiliary co-operated with the Citizens' Committee in entertaining the visitors.. In addition to this, the Navy League, assisted by the Ladies' Auxiliary, gave a ball in the Town Hall to the officers of the American fleet. The Ladies' Auxiliary also sent flowers to the ships. As in. former years, the Ladies' Auxiliary assisted the British Sailors' Society "on their Flag Day. The visit of one of our former presidents, Mrs. Hall Thompson, was a great pleasure to all those who worked with her during the war. . . . Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson consented to be patroness of the Ladies' Auxiliary. A morning tea was given by the committee to welcome Her Excellency on 2nd July, 1925. We have to thank our president, Mrs. Firth, for another year's hard work, and for her unfailing interest in all our activities. During the year the following resignations from the committee have been received with regret:—Miss Wilson, Mrs. M'Kibbon, Mrs. J. Meyers, and Mrs. Darling. Mrs. Darling has been a member of the committee for many years, her valuable work isr remembered with gratitude, and she is greatly missed." Eeporting on the past year's work of the Ladies' Auxiliary Committee, Mrs. J. P. Firth, extends thanks to the retiring committee for its support, help, and loyalty. The hon. secretary, Mrs. i Harding, was deserving of sincere thanks for her constant attendance [ and great interest, not only as secretary, but as chairwoman and organiser of the relief for the fatherless children. The relief work was chief among the committee's activities, together with the hospitality work for cadets and the social work in which the girls' branch took a prominent part. The sub-branches of the league at Masterton, Marton, and Picton, the report stated, performed excellent Bervice in enrolling school members, in forming new school branches, and also in working for the orphans of the Eoyal Navy and Merchant Service. It was a great pleasure to record that the Picton branch had received a bequest under the will of the late Mr. Pollard, a farmer, of Blenheim. The report extends thanks to the Wellington and Wanganui Education Boards, Wellington Headmasters' Association, teachers of the schools, the Press of Wellington and Patea, and to many others who*have helped in various ways.