NAVY LEAGUE WORK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10397, 30 September 1919, Page 7

NAVY LEAGUE WORK

ANNUAL MEETING OF LADIES AUXILIARY. Tho annual meeting of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Wellington Navy League was held at the Accountants' Chambers last night. -Mrs J. P. Luko presided, and there was a good attendance. ' The report, ns read by the secretary, stated, inter alia ; During October, 1918, the work of the auxiliary iu collecting and distributing money and clothing for naval and merchant service charities continued along the lines of previous years; £l5O was sent as a contribution to the Agnes \> cston memorial, the Royal Sailors’ Rost at Davenport. Tho epidemic interfered with an entertainment arranged by Miss CarwollCook, but people who had purchased tickets allowed the money to remain as a gift. During the epidemic tho members of tho auxiliary were engaged in helping in various ways, some in hospitals, and. some by supplying necessaries. Miss Laureuson, assisted by Mr Sand land, collected and distributed comforts, particularly for sailors. Mrs Lover conducted a raffle, which realised £3l, all of which was expended by her in Christmas comforts for the men of tho Dover Patrol. Christmas puddings for tho mine-sweepers were provided by the auxiliary, and grateful thanks are expressed to Mrs Gibbons, who undertook tho work of making them. Cases of goods have been sent to Lady Drury (Friendly Union, of Sailors' Wives), to Lady MilfordHavon (mine-sweepers), to the Agnes Weston Homes, to Channel Motor Patrol, to a.g. Wahine, to Officers’ Family Fund, and Ladies’ Emergency (in all nearly 1000 garments). In providing all such gifts, which have been warmly appreciated, wo have been most ably helped by our country branches.

Since tho signing of the Armistice, the Department of Internal Affairs has notified the auxiliary that it can no longer collect money for other than Navy League purposes. However, Miss Laurenson still continues to receive and forward clothing, etc., for carrying which we are indebted to the Overseas Shipping Company. During the present year a girls’ branch has been formed, and has proved most helpful. The hon. secretary, Mrs Darling, was chosen to attend the Dominion Conference of the Navy League in August. On September 2nd a letter from Lady Dimsdalq, asking for help towards a Sailors’ Best and Boys’ Hostel in tho Port of London as a memorial from the women of the Empire, waa considered and referred to tho Navy League Executive, with a strong recommendation that tho money bo allocated out of funds in hand. Tho executive unanimously supported the wish of tho auxiliary. The wish of the auxiliary to bo represented on the education committee of the Navy League was also acceded to, Mesdames Gibbons and Bradney Williams being appointed. In connection with education propaganda, several schools have been visited by members of the auxiliary, with excellent results. The dosing of the war funds was taken advantage of by Mrs HallThompson to eulogise the faithful and capable work of Mrs Richardson (hon. treasurer), and also of Miss Laurenson, who has steadily carried on her workroom, and has attended to tho packing and forwarding of the various oases of comforts.

The ppinnery is closed, and the money standing to its credit has been transferred to the general account. The wheel presented by. Miss Baber’s pupils to tho auxiliary was in turn presented by them to Mrs HalL Thompson with a suitably-inscribed silver plate. Appreciation is expressed of the services of Mrs Coleridge to the auxiliary, and regret that she is unable to continue on the executive at present. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £2OO in the hank. Among other Items was £7l sent to King George’s Fund. ' Tho report arid balance-sheet wore adopted, Mrs Luke congratulated the committee and secretary on tho excellent report, saying that the Navy League had established itself as a live factor in tho community i and would doubtless continue to do as good work in the future. Mrs Darling (secretary) read tho report of tho recent conference. On the motion of Miss Laurenson, Eu was decided to elect two vice-presi-dents. The following officers were chosen:— President, Mrs Hosking; vice-presi-dents, Mrs J. P. Luke and Mrs HopeLewis ; committee, Mesdames Laruach, von Haast, J. P. Firth, W. Luke, Lever, Burton, Bradney-Wil-liams, F. M. B. Fisher, Gibbons, V. Richardson, J. Darling, O. Earle, W. D. Stewart, Tripp, Phillips-Turn-or. and Misses Edwin, Laurenson, and Medley. A vote of thanks to Mrs Luke, tho retiring president, was carried by acclamation. A letter was received from'tho chairman of the Nary League, London, Intimating that Rear-Admiral Ronald A. Hopwood had been appointed secretary from September Ist. Mrs Waters read a report on tho work of tho Naval Department's Depot.

Mrs Luke congratulated Mrs Waters on the useful work accomplished by her and her committee.

Mrs Luke also proposed a vote of thanks to tho Press for the help given to the league's work, and a roto of thanks wan passed to tho retiring .committee and secretary. Airs Darling proposed that* it bo a recommendation to the Navy League executive that quarterly meetings of members he held, it being pointed out that now war work was over an effort should he made to keep members together.—This was agreed to.