NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12245, 19 June 1909, Page 5

NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE

MEN'S WANGANUI BRANCH. - Jhe meeting of officers and the genrr 1.-? 0-?, 11?} I,^ tlle above bod J met in the Drill Hall last night for the purpose oi .eltecting an executive council, arranging the'details in connection with the New Zealand Rifle. Champion Belt and Teant. Shield to be given by the citizens of Wahganui for annual competition, by the cadets of the primary departments of the State schools throughout, the Dominion up to and including the sixth standard, and the arrangements for the successful • carrying out "of the "Ambulance Saturday" movement, in accordance with the expressed unanimous resolution passed at the women's meeting on Thursday night. It ' s was decided that the executive consist of eleven. Nineteen.nominations were received, arid the following were elected: Messrs Jas. Aitken, N. G. Armstrong, Sergt.-Major Anderson, A. Bignell, Alfred Burnett, J. H. Burnett, Hope-Gibbons, Capt. Harper. D. McFarlane, H. M. Payne, Allan' Robinson, .with the President (Mr Hatrick) and the secretary and treasurer. The question of . fixing the date, range, and constitution of the teams in connection with the champion rifle belt and shield competitions- was left ra the hands of the executive to carry out.

, During the evening a deputation from the women's branch, consisting of Miss Fraser (president), Mrs H. Serjeant (vice-president). Miss Newcombe (lion, secretary), and Miss Inkster waited upon the generalcouncil with a view to making arrangenienis for giving effect to their Ambulance Saturday movement. It was decided ,that the follow ing .committee attend the Council meeting of the women's branch to 1>» held in Duigan's rooms on Monday evening next at 7.30 o'clock, and assist towards making all final arrangements in this matter: Messrs J. Aitken. A. Bignell, A. Burnett, D. McFarlane Capt. Harper, H. M. Payne, and Allan Robinson.

It was resolved that the headquarters Council of the National Defence League ho asked to annually provide suitable prizes and trophies for competition by the Defence Cadets throughout the Dominion.

It was decided that the Executive Council hold regular meetings in the 'Drill Hall on the first Thursday -in each month.

It was further resolved -to open a banking account and that the secretary and treasurer sign cheques, countersigned by the president. The meeting was of an enthusiastic nature, and practical assistance towards the funds of the League was given effect to before concluding. The president (Mr Hatrick) donated £10, and Mr Alfred Burnett £5 ss, the sum of between £30 and £40.being received Trmn those present. . . , ■ The secretary was directed to write to the editor (Mr Spencer) of the "Schools Journal" at Wellington regarding the New Zealand challenge belt and challenge shield. . • .

A vot-3 of thanks to he chair concluded a successful meeting.