WAR WORK.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 936, 9 February 1917, Page 4

WAR WORK.

WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE. ANNUAL MEETING. The first annual meeting of the Women's National Reserve was held yesterday afternoon at the Y.M.C.A., Mr George Harper presiding over a good attendance. Mr Harper said that the Women's National Reserve had been started a year ago at the-suggestion of the Citizen's Defence Corps with the object that both bodies should work together for the. common good in the activities occasioned by the war. The reserve had its own office, and practically managed its own affair-!, while cooperating with the C.D.G. in doing everything possible to help returned soldiers and those going back to the camps. In conjunction with the Defence Corps a room was started in the Square for the use of men down on leave, and it was thought to be a good thing, and certainly was more or less of a success. In this connection, however, a club would be formally opened on Saturday evening next by the C.D.G. The Women's National Reserve had been most assiduous in providing afternoon tea and generally looking after the comfort of (he men on leave. Other schemes had not yet developed, but, in the near future a still greater activity would be required. The Citizens' Defence Corps would help the scheme for the future work financially, in the same way as they had done in the past. The evil fruits of the war were still to come. ilea would return not only wounded and maimed, but broken in health. Only just the fringe of the problem hail been touched. Mrs Wood, who was received with applause, gave a short resume of the work nf the Reserve since its inauguration. The branch was started in Christchureh in November, 1015,. with the main object of compiling an accurate register of women prepared to undertake some branch of work whereby they could set free for active service the men at present employed, and with the second object of forming bands of women unable to go in for special training to take part in any work required. Branches were started for this purpose in all suburban districts and an office opened in Manchester Street. Classes I had been formed for business training, and arrangements made with Mr Gillrv j to give instruction to members. Lesions were also given in motor mechanism by Mr W. Scott, of Gloucester (Street; in gardening, under Mr Young. I of the Botanical Gardens; and in teleI graphv and in general business training.

All classes formed were eminently satisfactory, many of the pupils having been drafted into'the work which they took up. The Reserve owed special thanks to Mesdames C. Wood, Green, and Charlton, Misses Hawkins, TV Vnnx, Maliug, Hood-Williams, Beckwith, Nelson, and Black, and to Mr Creighton for commercial instruction given to classes. A total of 1.13 women and girls received instruction in various subjects. Delicacies for soldiers in hospital had been provided by a special committee. A fete had been given by the Citizens' Defence Corps for the wives and children of soldiers, and the Reserve provided the tea for same. Various other work was accomplished, including the packing and dispatching of fruit to the camp at Trcntham and arranging a copper week collection in aid of the dependents of mine-sweepers, which resulted in an amount of £BOO being forwarded. Teas for soldiers were fre-

quently arranged in the new rooms in Gloucester Street, also at the Soldiers' Chib Room in Cathedral Square. An amount of £775 was made through the efforts of the Reserve at the Rose Feteheld in December last. Reference was made to all those who had assisted the work, including Mr Robinson and members of his band, the "Cranford" Company, Christelmrch Dairy Company, Gas Company, Miss Tabart, Mrs Evans, and Miss Cox. The financial statement was submitted and approved. It showed a credit balance of £1 18/2. The following officers were elected: — President, Mis Wood; hon. treasurer, Miss Cocks; hon. secretary, Mrs J. R. Evans; executive, Mesdames G. Hanriier (elected in place of Mrs Chilton, resigned), Da overs Handier, Lane, Hastie. Newel!, Lavie, Wilson, and Raymond; general committee, Mesdames Tobin, Berry, Papprill, Jones. Stevens, Bowrou, Ferrier. Morton, Brittain, Misses Booth and L. Tabart.

Mr Harper, in moving a hearty vote of thanks to members of Hip Reserve, coupled it with the Tinnie of Mrs Wood, to whose ability and systematic organisation a great deal of tin? success of the year was due. Mrs Newell, on behalf of members, moved a special vote of thanks 1o Mr? Wood personally. This was carried.