NAVY LEAGUE’S ANNUAL MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17832, 28 April 1926, Page 14

NAVY LEAGUE’S ANNUAL MEETING.

WORK OF YEAR IS UNDER REVIEW. The annual meeting of the Canterbury Branch of the Navy League was held last night. Mr J. J. Dougall (president) occupied the chair and the*e‘ Avas a good attendance of members. The annual report stated that at the end of last year there were 907 adult and 54 junior members. Eighty-eight adult were enrolled, but deaths and resignations had exceeded the enrolments. An increase in enrolments was absolutely necessary to enable the branch to progress with its work. On account of the infantile paralysis epidemic shortening the time available for schools to get through their syllabus, it had been found Impraeticable to do any work amongst the boys and girls in Christchurch and surrounding districts during the past year, but short lectures and moving picture entertainments had been given at Christ s College and St Andrew's College. It was hoped, in future, to arrange for members of the branch to act as connecting links between the head teachers of various schools and the branch office for the purpose of fixing dates and times after school hours for senior boys and girls to attend at the Navy League Hall to witness screenings of selected moving pictures and to listen to short talks on naval and patriotic subjects. The 120th anniversary of Lord Nelson’s great victory on October 21, 1805 was commemorated more fully than usual in 1925. A copy of ‘‘Nelson’s Frayer” printed on cardhoard had been sent, to every school in Canterbury (North of the Ashburton River) and in Westland. The annual appeal took place on October 20 and a sum of £350 13s 6d was netted. The report of the women’s section stated that last year had been a particularly busy one as, beyond the ordinary league functions, the committee had assisted with the entertainment of the American destroyer flotilla, in August, the French sloop Cassiopee and the two Australian ships Delhi and *.rLci»Tlw

healthy condition. The committee was very gratified with the .successful results of its efforts on Navy Day. The committee wished to thank Miss Creswell, honorary secretary and Mrs Black, honorary treasurer, for their able assistance during the past year. It also desired to place on record the. valuable assistance given by Mr C. J. Treleaven, branch secretary and his staff who had done everything possible to assist the women's section. The reports were adopted. In the course of his annual address the president said that the branch was in much the same position as a year ago. To-day there were fewer members than twelve months ago and in finance they were perhaps a pound or | two less better off. However. taking the year as a whole it had been a satisfactory one. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr .r. ,T. Dougall; vicepresident. Mr W. Walton; lion, treasurer. Mr T. H. Foster; hon. auditor, Mr H. T. Whlttingham; general committee, Mesda,mes Norton Francis, Overton. A. E. Smith, H. T. J. Thacker, Al- - Williams and H. Wyatt. Misses C. Ti. Creswell and Sanders; EieutenantOommander R. Anderson, EieutenantOommander A. I>. Boyle. Eieutenant C. H. Kersley. Bieutepa nt-Commander A. M. Tebbs. Rev A. H. Norris and Messrs A. K. Anderson. H. 1,. Bowker, D. Manson, B. Seth-Smith, W. J. Cracroft Wilson, W. .T. LeCren, C. G. Curtis. .T. F. Studholrne and A. W. M'GUlivray. At the conclusion of the business portion of the meeting a social evening was held.