LIBRARY LEAGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23617, 29 March 1940, Page 13

LIBRARY LEAGUE

PROGRESS DURING YEAR WORK FOR MILITARY CAMPS REPORTS OF SUB-COMMITTEES Congratulations to the members cn the useful work they had done throughout the year were extended by the Mayoress, Lady Davis, at the 20th annual meeting of tho Mayoress' War Memorial Library League, which took place last night. Lady Davis extended special thanks to tho secretary, Mrs. E. McNair, and made her a presentation on behalf of the executive, and to Mrs. Hewitson and the members of the Tasman Club for a donation of £lO 10s, tho proceeds from a Dutch fair. "1 quite agreo with the executive that their work is still necessary as a Memorial League," Lady Davis said. "It is only necessary to read the letters received from people in the back blocks,, saying how much they enjoy the parcels sent. Literature is a great comfort to those who are ill." Lady Davis mentioned particularly returned soldiers in the hospitals, or those ill in their own homes, members of the mercantile marine, and people in lighthouses and other lonely places. Need for Men's Books In her annual report the secretary, Mrs. McNair, stated that the year had been a satisfactory one. The supply of literature had been well maintained, especially magazines, which had been in good condition, requiring little repairing. There was a large stock in hand of women's and children's books, but books suitable for men were not so plentiful, owing to the demand for this class of reading matter in the military camps. The number of parcels despatched had been smaller than in former years. There had been no special requests and practically no camp parcels sent out. "Shortly after the commencement of hostilities' my executive met and offered to undertake the supply of literature to military camps, outposts and transports," Mrs. McNair continued. "Pending a reply from the authorities 810 books and magazines, illustrated papers, periodicals, packs of playing cards and draughts were packed and despatched to the various camps and outposts. We were later notified that the Government had appointed the Country Libraries' Association to do this work, while the league was requested to undertake the renovation of any literature needing attention." The financial statement showed a credit balance of £162, which was an increase on the extremely favourable balance of the previous year. It was stated that the expenditure had been smaller than previously, owing to much of the necessary material being in hand. Members were warned that this year they would be faced with higher owing to the increase in postage, freight and materials. Total of Articles Supplied Reports were read by the conveners of the following sub-committees: —St. John Ambulanco Association, Women's Christian Temperance Union, Tasman Club, Flying Angel Missions to Seamen, the Philanthropic Committee, Grammar Old Girls' Association, St. Cuthbert's Old Girls' Association, the Christmas card section, and the Women's Committee of the British Legion. Following is the list of articles sent out during the year: —Handbound books, 3010; magazines, 5593; large and medium scrap books, 208; small scrap books. 90; children's books, 437; tovs, 159; Christmas cards, 805; calendars, 350; used cards, 240; playing cards, 15 packs; booklets, 503. Appreciation of the work of Mrs. McNair, the secretary and treasurer, who was reelected, was expressed by Lady Davis, the vice-president, Mrs. A. D. Campbell, and tho conveners. Bouquets were presented to Lady Davis and Mrs. McNair. ' At the conclusion of the meeting supper was served and a short programme was presented. Songs were sung by Mrs. Reginald Humphries, who was accompanied on the piano by Mrs. W. Beniams, and by Mrs. Winifred Osborne, her accompanist being Miss P. Coates. Miss Betty Birch gave a monologue. \