THE NAVY LEAGUE.

Wairarapa Age, 1 June 1921, Page 5

THE NAVY LEAGUE.

SECOND ANNUAL GATHERING. There was a large attendance at the second annual gathering of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Navy League, held in the Municipal Hall last evening. The stage was very prettily decorated, and presented a delightful scene. The decorations from the recent polo ball were still in position in the main ball. and did much to make the scheme very attractive. The supper room was also very tastefully

arranged, with beautiful bowls of pink chrysanthemums and holly. In the unavoidable absence of the president (Mrs H. H. Beetham), Mrs W. H. Jackson presided at the function, and iir a brief speech reviewed the operations of the past year, congratulating

the Auxiliary on the largely increased memliership and the activity displayed. The speaker introduced Dr. G. H. Scholefield, who throughout the war was a correspondent in London, who gave an interesting address on his experience with the Navy during that period.

Dr. Scholefield showed several pictures of the surrender of the German fleet, including some taken by himself from H.M.S. New Zealand. He gave an interesting description of the

spectacle, incidentally remarking that the day was so dull that at no time could a dozen capital ships, either German or British, be seen at once. Tlie surrender of the German fleet was brought about by the superiority of the British battle fleet at Scapa How, although that fleet had only once come into contact with the enemy. The war was won when the British fleet got safely established in its base at Scapa; hut it had still to be fought to success by myriads of small ships, trawlers, lx?ef boats, colliers. oilers, and torpedo boats, backed up by the battle cruisers and the battle fleets. 9The anti-submarine campaign was based on a. most elaborate system of reporting explosions and sightings, and plotting them on maps, so that after some months of observation the Royal Navy was able to tell the Germans which of their U lioats had met with disaster. Their habits were as regular as those of animals. The lesson of the whole war was the constant necessity for a strong Navy.

During the evening the flag received by Colonel Hart from the town of Le Quesnoy was exhibited and much admired.

The arrangements for the gathering were in the capable hands of Miss N. Sellar, the secretary, who was assisted in her duties by the following members of the committee: Alesdames Guy Williams, W. Dalziell, S. L. P. Free. J. P. Perry. \\ . H. Robieson, V\. H. Jackson, Tatham, D. Buchanan, A. H. Daniell, W. McKenzie, and Miss Gray.

An enjoyable musical programme arranged by the committee, for which the accompaniments were played by Mrs Laing, occupied the earlier part of the evening, after which dancing took place until an early hour this morning. Mrs A. H. Daniell gave a delightful interpretation of ‘ Wake Up.” and as an encore “They Say.” Mr V. Welch was in excellent voice, and was deservedly applauded for his numbers “Oh. Lovely Night” and ‘Tlie Waters of Minnetonka.” Mr 1.. Travers, with much effect, render ed •The (.lory of the Sea,” and as an encore “Home Town.” Mr E. J. Heffer gave a splendid rendering of ‘Van Tromp’s Broom.” for which he was deservedly applauded. Among the many present were the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mr* O. N. C. Pragnell), Ales •»am. •* Sheath. C. Bennett, Raymend Lee. W . P. James, Waddington. Alan ilolmwood. Spencer Beard. Luca . E. Holmwood. A. C. Stewart (Manak.au). Sellar. Jordan, Archer Hosking. Cunningham. Inns, A. Caselberg. Perry. Tylee, Gawith, Moser, Harley ’Donald. Scholefield. Lamb, N. H. James. Kendall. Drummond, O. Bunny, G. Mace, Tumen, Charlesworth, Eton, Hart. Robieson, the Misses Dyer (2), Z. Vallance, Dalziell. Marriott, H. Kummer, D. Vile, M. Holm wood G. Thomson, Hutchison. K Holmwood, Laing, Lewis. Stewart. Collier, Jensen, Waddington (2). F. Kummer, Sbarle,* Brett, Beard, Jackson (2). McKenzie (2), Sellar, Langdon (Tinui), Lang, Harkness. Keesing (Wellington), Perry,^Tylee, Kendall, Carrick. Cameron (2), Bunny 2). Toxward, Monckton, Drummond (2). and manv others.

pore, to guard Empire interests in the Pacific Ocean. The main business of th<» conference was to discuss the new policy issued by the London office. Th< League was agreed that the New Zealand branches of the Navy League should endorse the policy promulgated so far as it relates to holding a conference of the Powers, but pending the holding of such conference the policy of the navy should remain unaltered, and it. should pledge the League to advocate and assist by every means in its power the maintenance of sea forces which will be strong enough to. guarantee the safety of the Empire.—(P.A.)