NAVY LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17936, 15 May 1920, Page 5

NAVY LEAGUE.

A, meeting of tho executive of the NaT.y League (Otugo Branch] was held yesterday afternoon, and attended' by Messrs J. A. Johnstone (in the olwir), Peter ifarr, W. A. Mooro, ]!\ O. BriilgiiKin, Peter Goyen, W. J. Morrell, and W. I)\ I'jdmond. It was decided to send tho following letter to H.K.H. the Pi-inco of Wales: — CSoJonol Griggs, Secretary to H.LL.H. the Prince <rf Wains.

Sir, —The executive of the Otago Branch of the Navy League desires through you to extend to his .Royal Jlighncps the Prince of Wales a very oordial welooiQc to tlie dominion, autl particularly to the province of Otsigo. Wo ar© especially delighted to welooffce him in onr midst, not only bocansc his lloyul Jlighncsa spent hia earlier years in the atwwsphere and training of the Imperial Navy, but also becansc hia Ifcoyal lather before Jiim was pleased to serve and to command in the British Navy, in the growth and well-being of which he has ever since taken such a keen and absorbing interest. Although his Itoyal Highness served hi« Empire with distinction on land in tho great war which, is now happily at an end, we are proud to know that lie has thus served in both services, and that his interest in the senior scrvire continues updlminishcd, one visible proof of this being that his Itoyal Highness is visiting She different parts of his far-flung Kmplre in <me of the mosfc powerful units of the Oreat Imperial Nuvy. Since its inception, the Otugo Branch of the Navy Ijeague has constantly striven to keep before the "people of this land, and especially before the younger gemmation, the noble traditions and principles of our gkrri-ons navy, and thos to fit them for being worthy citizens of the great Empire, as tho future head of which wo are so proud to own liis Royol Highness. May we here say how disappointed we are that circnmr.tanceb over which we have no control h*tve robbed us of fch* chanoe of jwtying some little attention to the officers and crew of his gallant ship, 11.M.5. Renown. We wifth his Iloyal Highness every success and happiness on his tonr of this and other lands, and we ctoould be" glad if you would convey to him the assnrnne© of our heartfelt loyalty.^ A wire was rebeivod from Sir Bell, as follows: — 14 1 havo pleasure in advising that n cabiegnrai'haVbeen received from Admiral Viscount Jellicoa retfuesting ino to advise you that your message was much appreciated." In reply to the resolution passed at tho last meeting of the executive, Sir James Allen wrote thanking tho league t for *ts goodwill, and expressing his appreciation of its work, and his willingness to furthor its interests at any time in the future. The question of appointing a successor to Sir James Allen ns president was considered. A suitable nomination has been received, and will be submitted to members at the annual meeting of the branch, Tho following appointments were made to fill the vacancy caused by tho retirement of the late secretary (Mr Charles Darling): Mr D. H. Rodger to undertake tho purely clerical work of the branch; Mr W. 0. K&ye to act as Iccfcnrer at the public schools; Mr W; Simpson to continue as lanternist as boforc. Tlie programnto for lectures at the various schools will bo enterd upon a* an early date. A - deputation from the Otago Football Association, introduced by Mr C. R Statham, M.P., successfully waited upon the» meeting with tho view of interesting the executive iu the entertainment of the football team from H.M.S. Renown during their visit to Dunedm.