MRS. A. WATT HONOURED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 22

MRS. A. WATT HONOURED

MAYORAL RECEPTION In honour of Mrs. Alfred Watt, M.A., M.8.E., Canadian-born president of tho Associated Countrywomen of the World, who arrived in Auckland yesterday morning from San Francisco, a small mayoral reception was held in tho Mayor's room at the Town Hall. The guest of honour was accompanied by Mrs. W. M. Deans, of Christchurch, president of tho Federated Women's Institutes of New Zealand, and by Miss Smart, of Canada, who is accompanying Mrs. Watt on her tour of New Zealand. Representatives of the various organisations which will bo entertaining Mrs. Watt during her stay in Auckland were among tbo guests, including Miss Mowbray, president of tho Victoria League. Mrs. J. T. F. Mitchell, representing tho women's division of the Farmers' Union and tho Overseas League, Mrs. F. M. Revell, secretary of the Auckland District Federation of Institutes and member of the Dominion executive, Mrs. W. H. It. Teapo and Mrs. V. J. Mollcr, representing the Auckland executive. In extending a welcome to Mrs. Watt 011 behalf of the citizens of Auckland the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, expressed his pleasure at welcoming such a distinguished visitor to the city. He referred briefly to tho recent visit to Auckland of the Rt. Hon. R. B. Bennett, leader of tho Opposition in the Canadian Parliament, and spoke of the special bond of friendship exisiting between Canada and New Zealand. As Mayor of Auckland, he had been greatly impressed by the noble and inspiring work being done by tho women's organisations in tho city, particularly so during tho depression. He paid a tribute to tho excellent work carried out by Mrs. Watt. He felt sure that the women of New Zealand would derivo much information from her visit and appreciate tho work sho had accomplished. He presented the guest of honour with a bouquet of multi-col-oured orchids. In a brief speech Mrs. Watt thanked those present for the welcome extended to her. Tho bond of kinship between New Zealand and Canada would never be less, she said, as both peoples were very similar, not only in loyalty to the bond of Empire, but also in tie of blood. She was looking forward to meeting the women of the various organisations throughout New Zealand and stressed the need of the co-opera-tion of the townswomen with the countrywomen's movement, which was of such deep interest to women in general. Tho Mayoress, Mrs. Ernest Davis, later entertained tho guests at morning tea.