VICTORIA LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 18

VICTORIA LEAGUE.

FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. The fifth annual meeting of the local branch oi the above league was neld on iVionoay afternoon m toe i'own Jtiaii under the cnairmanship oi his Worship the Mayor (Mr J H. Walker). The foilowmg lady members of the league were present: — The Mayoress (Mrs J. H. Walker), Alesdames Cohen, BarneU, Grariaii:, iiiiuchis>oii, Sinclair, Ritchie, Joachim, Barnett, Fergus, l'isiier, Theomin, Davidson. Jackson, W imperis, Curniner, Burt, Shand, Roberts, Longford, Wilson, Elder, Milne, Beaumont, Bowler, Lavender, Easther, J. Stewart, and jlisses Brown, Dssner, Holford, Shand, and Harlow. Among the gentlemen present were the Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., Mr James Allen, M.P., Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., Mr J. F. Arnold, M.P., Dr Benham, Messrs W. Burnett, R. Gilkison, James Hutchison, T. Cole, and H. L. Tapley. In his prefatory remarks the Mayor said that in looking through its aims and objects one could not but be struck by them, and it was singular that in a city like Dunedin many more people did not belong to it. He was sure that if once the aims and objects were adequately known the roll of membership would bo considerably augmented. It appeared to him to be a very desirable thing that male citizens should be induced to take an interest in the work, and he was sure if they did the result would be beneficial. In the majority of cases men regarded the league as a meeting simply for social purposes. That idea should be removed. The league was a body that was doing a large amount of gocd, and the men should bo prepared to help as far as possible to that end.

The Mayor then moved the adoption of the minutec; of the last annual meeting. This was seconded by Mrs Theomin, and carried.

. The annual report, read by the Mayor, was to the following effect: "The committee of the Otago branch desires to record its continued success during the past year, the roll of membership having now mounted to about 400. The Home League has proposed a fresh scheme of correspondence between the children o? the schools throughout the Empire, and this is now in operation in Otago and Southland. It has also devised a colonial scholarship scheme, which has been advertised and well received throughout the large centres of the Dominion. The principal expenditure of the league's funds has lain in the continued work of providing libraries for country schools. This has met with great success and frequent expressions of gratitude. Five more such libraries have been added, and further contributions made to those already formed, besides several prizes given for good conduct. About 150 bound volumes have been distributed this year, and the libraries are 17 in number. It is hoped that the league's work will not only be greatly assisted in this direction, but also lightened by the Government offer of pound, for pound subsidy for sums collected by the settlers themselves. Our committee has offered gold and silver medals as prizes for the best essays on ' Patriots and Patriotism,' to be competed for by the primary schools of Otago. Appended to the circulars was a short patriotic address of admirable character forwarded to us and composed by Miss Eveline Price, if the Tasmanian branch. In return for £6 sent Home, the league is now possessed of 75 very beautiful lantern slides, illustrative of historical scenes and buildings of the United Kingdom, and these slides will now be at the service of those schoolmasters in country districts who may possess their own cameras and be anxious to borrow slides for special occasions. Owing to increased press of work, the committee iound it necessary to appoint an assistant secretary for the school correspondence scheme (Miss Maud Reynolds), who, it is hoped, will be able to report good results. Miss Burt continues to carry on in her usual thorough manner the sending of magazines, etc., to the very remote outlying districts. This opportunity is taken of appealing to those who may have spare numbers of illustrated papers and magazines, etc., to communicate with Miss Burt, York place. The thanks of this branch must again be tendered to the Home League for its kindness and hospitality to visitors. It is with much regret that the hon. secretary (Mrs Hoeken) feels obliged to tender her resignation on the staff, owing to sickness in the family. At our last meeting, held on the 9th of February, Miss Talbot suggested that the league should be constituted on a fresh basis, and its work extended so as to gain the sympathy of all classes. Representative men, as well as women, should take an active part. The work connected with the distribution of magazines, school libraries, and various correspondence should be amalgamated. Dr Littlejohn'e promise as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at PJdinburgh to place colonial students in closer touch with university life was gratefully accepted. Eminent visitors should be invited to lecture or otherwise to tako some conspicuous part in an informal friendly meeting of the league. It is needless to say that Miss Talbot received a most cordial reception during her recent visit to Dunedin, and that the competent and eloquent manner in which she dealt with the important, objects of the league will, it is hoped, bear lasting fruit. The balance sheet shows a credit if £l4 13s 5d." Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., moved the adoption of the report in a brief but comprehensive speech. He said it was a very excellent thing that books shonlrl be sent to country schools, and that magazines, etc., should be distributed. The dearth of literature in the black-blooks was sometimes painful. One thing which gave him a fright was the reference to the Government subsidy of pound for pound. He hoped they wouJd receive that, but he didn't know where these things were going to stop. However, so far as he was concerned, he would promise that stoppage would not begin with the Victoria League. The competitive essays were of great' use in encouraging and diffusing a love and knowledge of the Empire. In conclusion, the speaker hoped that the work would be extended throughout New Zealand, and that apportunity would be taken tn increase sympathetic intercommunication between branch and branch in the case of visitors to different localities.

The adoption of the report was seconded by Mrs Lonaford and carried.

Mr Burnett moved—" That the present committee be enlarged by inviting msti to co-operate, in the work, th«s instituting* a council, and that an Executive Committee (not to_ exceed 121 should be elected by this council." In reference to the subscription, he thought it would be of bane-

fit in the way of popularising the league if this were reduced from 2s 6d to Is. In reference to the social work of the league, he specially mentioned and emphasised the value of the suggestion made by Professor Henry Littlejohn, of Edinburgh—namely, that all lads going from the colonies to the Homeland should take letters of introduction from the Victoria League here to the Victoria League in Edinburgh. If this were done, Professor Littlejohn would guarantee to introduce these boys into social life in Edinburgh. The speaker concluded' by referring to the patriotic motives and aims of the league in fostering the strength, knowledge, and solidarity of the Empire. The motion was agreed to. Hon. Mr Callan, M.L.C., briefly proposed—" That the Mayor be elected patron of the society." This was seconded by Mrs J. M. Ritchie, and carried with applause. The following council was declared elected:—Mrs Bowler. Miss Burt, Mrs Burnett, Mrs Ewen, Mrs C. C. Graham, Miss Hanlon, Miss Hocken, Mrs Jackson, Mrs Joachim, Mrs Loudon, Mrs Reynolds, Mis® Reynolds, Mrs T. M. Ritchie, Mrs John Roberts, Miss Shar-jd, Mrs Walker, Mr James Allen, M.P., Mr J. F. Sidey, Mr W. Burnett, Dr Benliam, Mr Mark Cohen, Cr T. Cole, Captain Easther, R.N.. Mr Geo. Fenwick, Mr Thos. Fergus, Mr R. Gilkison, Mr James Hutchison, Mr J. M. Ritchie, Mr John Roberts, Dr Scott, Mr F. J. Stilling. Mr H. Taplev, Mr Theomin, Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., Mr J. H. Walker.

The following executive committee was appointed: Mrs Mark Cohen, Miss Burt, Mrs Ritchie, Mrs Roberts, Mrs Loudon, Mrs Jackson, Messrs Burnett, C. White, Stilling, G. M. Thomson, M.P., Dr Scott, etc.

Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., proposed, and Mrs C. G. Graham seconded, the following resolution, which -was carried —" That the president be chosen from the members of the council, and that Mrs Hoeken be elected president, Mr W. T. Monkman hon. secretary, and Mrs Fergus hon. treasurer; also that Mrs Theomin, Mrs Longford, the Hon. J. B. (Man, M.L.G, and Mr J. F. Arnold, M.P., be appointed vice-pre-sidents." A vof© of thanks to the chair was carried, and on Mr Burnett expressing regret at the absence of Mrs Hoeken, Mrs Reynolds said she would like appreciation of the services of Mrs Hoeken in the inception and maintenance of the society duly recorded on the minutes. It was accordingly resolved. This concluded the business.