HER EXCELLENCY THE COUNTESS OF LIVERPOOL

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 163, 15 August 1914, Page 6

HER EXCELLENCY THE COUNTESS OF LIVERPOOL

The women of New Zealand must feel grateful indeed to her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool for the prompt and practical way in which she has set to work to provide comforts for the Dominion's soldier sons while answering the call of Empire. , **# # W There is much that women can do to lighten the burden, both of the fighters and those who are left behind, and this fact was early recognised by Lady Liverpool. How she made her appeal for help to the women throughout New Zealand,—an appeal to which no one could turn a deaf ear, —is already known. But having set the wheel in motion has not contented her Excellency. Up in Wellington she is working strenuously for the fund, and keeping in close touch with the multitude of committees which has sprung up with such marvellous rapidity, fully equipped, and eager to do everything that lies in their power to help in Britain's cause. At a meeting held under the presidency of the Mayoress of Wellington several days ago, Lady Liverpool was one of the speakers, and she then expressed her intense appreciation of tlie Dominion's response to the call, and especially of the splendid way the women were coming forward to help with the equipment. She gave a resume of what the committees in other towns were doing, showing how closely she was following the work, and how near to her heart it lay witlr such a splendid example, could New Zealand women fall short of the charge which has been imposed upon them? * * * # Lady Liverpool, who, previous to her marriage -in 1897, was the Hon. Annette Louise Monck, daughter of the fifth Vis-

ORGANISER OF THE WOMEN'S COMMITTEES WHICH ARE ASSISTING <

count Monck, of Ballytrammon, County Wexford, Ireland, came to New Zealand with her husband towards the end of 1912. She has therefore been less than two years amongst us, but a fair proportion of that time has been spent in Christchurch, for which town her Excellency is. said to entertain ratlTer a fondness. *£> # * / Perhaps the best tribute that may be paid her is to say that she is a thoroughly womanly woman, g'entle, and rather re tiring in manner, but always invested with a sweet dignity, a kindly courtesy, a ready consideration of others that has won for her an affection and regard that Governor's wives do not always receive. Like his Excellency, she is fond of all kinds of sport, and ; while in.. Christeliurch seldom" missed a polo match or a race meeting. At the same time she has always been ready to give her help and patronage to any educational, 'philanthropic or charitable movement, and has often been known to eschew the claims of society in order to be present at a gathering which might have for its object one of the above aims. & * Quiet and retiring though she may be, her Excellency has shown that when an 'occasion arises which calls for the leadership of an organiser, she is not found wanting. Every woman is simply aching to do her part,- but unlpss the scheme for helping with the equipment were properly planned, chaos would result* Therefore it is something for which one may be very thankful that there was someone with the ready sympathy, the capable mind, the quick wit to set the work going. Our soldier boys who are about to set off for battle should feel specially grateful.