AUCKLAND NAVY LEAGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16581, 3 July 1917, Page 6

AUCKLAND NAVY LEAGUE.

EMERGENCY COMMITTEE'S WORK. The annual meeting of the Ladies Emergency Committee of the Navy League was held yesterday afternoon. Mrs. G. Bloomfield, president, was in the chair, Mrs. J. H. Gunson and Captain E. Thomas being among those present. In the course of a preliminary address, Mrs. Bloomfield spoke of the good work that had been ! accomplished by the committee, notably during the strenuous campaign instituted by the Navy League in connection 'with the North Sea Relief Fund. The ladies had rendered valuable service in collecting for the fund, also in organising entertainments. During the year the Emergency Committee had raised the sum of no less than £2472 in various directions. Mention was also made by Mrs. Bloomfield of the efforts of the sewing guild, whose work had done much towards bringing about a kindly feeling between the women of. England and New Zealand. Many letters had been received expressing the sincere thanks of widows and orphans for the supplies of warm and comfortable clothing received, the gift havino- done much to cheer them during their time of sorrow. The annual report, presented by Miss E. G. Wallace, stated that the year's work had begun with the cabling of one hundred guineas to the London Navy League in aid of the sufferers from the Jutland battle. The committee had then joined with the Auckland branch of the league in its North Sea Relief Fund campaign. Two entertainments had been organised, while a street collect and house-to-house collection had brought in a sum of over £1568. Later on, the committee had assisted in the street collection for the Mayor's Servian Relief Fund, and also contributed the sum of £100 to the Children's Hospital Fund. Further donations of £100 had been made to the Ladies Emergency Committee in London, and to the Sailors Day Fund. Reference was made to the acquisition of new and larger premises in Customs Street, and thanks expressed to Messrs. Hallenstein for the former use of their premises. The financial report, also read by Miss Wallace, showed a credit balance of £223 8s Bd. •

Mrs. G. Bloomfield was re-elected president of the committee, and Misses E. G. Wallace and Watkins secretary and assistant-secretary, Mr. R. E. Isaacs being elected hon. auditor. Upon the conclusion of business, an address was given by the Rev. W. G Monckton. who spoke of the splendid work done by British sailormen throughout the War He emphasised the valuable services rendered by the Navy League in England in prompting the Government to increase the number of warships: if it had not been for the league, said the lecturer, the navy would not have been in the state of efficiency it -was when war broke out. Mr. Monckton went on to speak of the Falklands battle, and the work of the navy at the Dardanelles, and concluded his address with a eulogy of the sacrifice and devotion of the men who so nobly have guarded the Empire on the seas.