RED CROSS SECRETARY

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1928, Page 9

RED CROSS SECRETARY

VISITORS FROM GREAT BRITAIN

RECEPTION GIVEN LAST NIGHT

Brigadier-General Bateman Champain, C.M.G., secretary-general of the Red Cross in England, and delegate from the Red Cross League, Mrs. Champain and their two daughters spent a busy day in New Plymouth yesterday and will leave this morning for the Waitomo Caves, afterwards going to Auckland. Last night Genenaral Champain and Mrs. Champain were given a civic reception by the deputyMayor (Mr. S. G. Smith) and were the guests of the Taranaki council of the society at a reception in the Victoria League room.

In the morning the visitors were motored to the Weetown school to see members of the junior Red Cross Circle. They were accompanied by Sister Corkill, Mr. S. G. Smith, chairman of the Taranaki Education Board, and the Rev. G. H. Gavin, president of the Taranaki council. Afterwards they were taken to the port and then to Pukekura Park, where morning tea was served. The rest of the morning was spent at the cricket match, Australia versus Taranaki. In the afternoon Mr. G. M. Spence, president of the Tourist and Expansion League, and Dr. R. J. R McCredy, district medical officer of health, motored the party to the mountain. At the Westown school Brigadier-Gen-eral Champain emphasised to the children the practical humanitarian side of Red Cross work and appealed to them to give their beet to it. When welcoming the general at the Victoria League room in the evening, the deputy-Mayor said he had been glad to hear the intensely interesting address given to the children that morning. He paid a tribute to Sister Corkill for the efficiency of her work in the town. The Rev. G. H. Gavin, who presided as president of the council, said General Champain was visiting. New Zealand and other parts of the Empire to learn something about the work here and to tell them something about the work in England. For about five months he fought alongside the New Zealanders on Gallipoli and that fact alone would endear him to them. After General Champain had spoken of the work of the society he and Mrs. Champain mingled informally with those present, representatives from all parts of the province, to discuss the various aspects of Red Cross work. Supper was served. Musical items were given during the evening bv Mr. Bosworth (flute solo), Mrs. A. M. Wilkes (song), Miss George (piano) and Mr. R. George (violin). The Rev. G. H. Gavin said he desired to thank Mrs. C. H. Burgess and members of the Victoria League for the use of the room and for the supper provided. The gathering concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.