VICTORIA LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 127, 25 November 1938, Page 14

VICTORIA LEAGUE

A PLEASANT MEETING

INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP

Although the rain came on just about the time people would be leaving for meetings, there was a very good attendance at the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the Victoria League, which was held last night in the E.S.U. rooms. Mrs. J. A. Doctor presided. There were many gratifying features in the annual report. One was the increase in the number of members of the branch, which had increased in the year by 100 members, making 500 in all, the largest number the branch has ever had. Gratification was expressed at the growing number of young members, many of these being good workers and a great asset to the league. The room at the D.I.C, it was stated, had been most useful, the conveners for attendance there being Miss J. Dempster and Miss W. Thompson. The room was kept open for two hours each morning and afternoon, and a telephone had been installed. The monthly notes have been sent out regularly with a definite programme of what was to be done during the month, and Mrs. McKinlay had done excellent work in typing and duplicating these, while other members had helped with the addressing and stamping of envelopes. EMPIRE WORK. Among the definitely Empire works accomplished had been the making of hospitality arrangements for the English public school boys, conducted by Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, the league having been requested by headquarters in England to undertake this work. Members did all they could to entertain the boys and make their visit pleasant. Then on "Empire Day" the members joined with the Royal Empire Society in commemorating Queen Victoria's Birthday, Mrs. Doctor and the president of the R.E.S. (Mrs. L. O. H. Tripp) placing wreaths on the plinth of her statue. The league also sent the usual donations towards the Empire and Anzac Day wreaths in London. A great deal of work was attached to the connection with the Society for the Overseas Settlement of British Women. Monetary and other arrangements here were carried out by the Wellington branch. It is hoped to carry on the work, although it seems likely to increase. A donation of £10 was sent to the Victoria League headquarters, London.. Other donations went to the Wellington Free Ambulance and the Christmas equipment for children in hospital.

The distribution of magazines and books in New Zealand and its environs had been a very large underI taking, and the conveners, Mrs. Maurice Anderson and Miss A. Evans, were congratulated on the amount of work they had accomplished. From November to March 44 parcels were sent out, and, later, when the system of recording was changed, it was found that 288 books, and 1162 magazines had been sent out to hospitals, lighthouses, Maori schools, Borstal Institute, Cook Islands, and to individual people in need. CORRESPONDENCE AMONG CHILDREN. J The personal correspondence among children was in charge of Miss Agnes Mac Lean. This is looked upon as a very valuable work, the number of children corresponding with those j overseas now numbering 216, and during the year 67 new links had been formed. Mention was made of the "Empire Ball," which was a very successful function. Mrs. Guthrie Moore represented the branch at the annual meeting of the league in London, and said that the report was well received. Hospital visiting has been regularly carried on under the auspices of the Ladies' Hospital Auxiliary. Mrs. G. A. King, convener, reported that all the wards had been visited and little gifts and comforts distributed. Mrs. H. McGill organised both afternoon and evening" bridge parties, two being held in the league rooms each month and several larger evening ones in other places. Visitors from other branches, teachers, and others received hospitality, and 47 letters of introduction were given to members who had gone abroad. The entertainment and hospitality circle had done excellent and appreciated work, specially in regard to the Returned Soldiers' Hospital, where they attended regularly and gave varied entertainments which were a great pleasure. The dramatic circle had done good work and had had a most successful visit to Auckland. The Dominion conference had been a great success, and the "Spirit of Empire Pageant" given to visiting delegates and to members was a most successful effort also. The toy circle had produced some excellent and original toys which had given much pleasure and more were to be sent out for invalid children at Christmas. The "young contingent" manage their own affairs, following the lead from London, and the results had been excellent and very gratifying in a number of directions. Special mention was made of the death of Mrs. A. L. Warburton, for many years a committee member and hon. treasurer also for a long period. Members stood in respect to her memory. Special thanks were given to Mr. C W. Smith, jeweller, Lambton Quay, who collected subscriptions at his shop for many years. « The president thanked all those who had given their time and help during the past year—and particularly the honorary secretary, the assistant hon. secretary, the honorary treasurer, the honorary secretary for personal correspondence, and the conveners of bridge, room attendance, dramatic, toy, and entertainment circles, and the book and magazine club. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as j follows: —Patron for Wellington, Lady Buckleton, 0.8. E.; president, Mrs. J. A. Doctor; hon. vice-presidents, Mrs. M. H. Chatfield, M.8.E., Mrs J. McKenzie; vice-presidents, Miss A. Kane, Mrs. R. E. Robertson, Mrs. L. O. H. Tripp, Mrs. W. J. Larnach, Mrs. J. Pow; hon. secretary, Mrs. John Smythe; hon. treasurer, Mrs. C. E. Corrigan; hon. assistant treasurer, Miss Kendall; hon. secretary for personal correspondence, Miss A. McLean; committee, Mesdames A. A. Cramond, Corliss, P. de B. Brandon, Gray Hassall, O. N. Gillespie, P. Hanna, G. A. King, B. McKinlay, D. Rodie, G. Nor-man-Jones, P. A. F. Watson, H Clay, C. R. Hampton Brown, li. McGill, Misses J. Forsyth, M. McGregor, M. Butler, F. Penney, A. Evans, W. Thompson, J. Dempster, P. Gledhill. Miss Florence Penney sang some charming negro songs, and Miss Ida Lockwood (who has recently come from Auckland) played two charming violin solos with accompaniment by Mrs. Doctor. Miss Lockwood won the prize for the best doll, hers being a most original conception. Mrs. Doctor made charming personal gifts to Mrs. Hampton Brown, Mrs. L.