PROMINENT AUCKLAND WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 230, 28 September 1929, Page 14

PROMINENT AUCKLAND WOMEN.

MISS J. MOWBRAY. To all those interested in the workings of the Victoria League, the name of Miss Mowbray stands out in blazing colours as an example of what can be done in any organisation that has a capable and energetic woman at the head. At a very early age she earned for herself a reputation of "worker" when she went on ball committees and sundry things that called for organisation. As secretary of the guild for ten years Miss Mowbray did a great deal for St. Mary's Church. She was also a keen supporter of the I'arnell Tennis Club and retained the title of champion for five years without a break. "People talk about tennis in those days," said j Miss Mowbray, jj; "but I can assure | you it was just as * hard then as it is f now." Perhaps one ;;! might venture that j;! it was more credit | to Miss Mowbray | in those skirt- | hampered days than £ to the lightly clad ;■! girls of these ath- i; letic times. I;: Whon in Eng- | land during the % years 1007, '08, and | '09, Miss Mowbray 1 realised what a \ wonderful work the ji Victoria League \ was doing, and with \ a band of ether \ enthusiasts she helped to set the League going in Auckland. Her first office was honorary treasurer, which she held for 18 years, and it is during the last three years that she has been president. It is well known that Miss Mowbray does not spare herself in the interests of the organisation. Her success, no doubt, lies in the fact that it is her "only iron in the fire," and she ia ever ready to help in every detail. Miss Mowbray considers that the best work that any organisation such as the Victoria League can do is to help those who are working for the youth of the city, and in pursuance of this idea various bodies such as the Young Citizens' League, the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, the Plunket Society, and the Free Kindergartens, all benefited from the Daffodil Day collection last year. The first Dafl'odil Day was held in August, 1915 (inaugurated by Mrs. Eliot Davis), and the result was the large sum of £790. Since then the day when the golden flower has appeared on the street for sale has been a League "ritual," and Miss Mowbray expressed her deep regret that permission for this yearly event has been withdrawn. That expresses the unselfish spirit of the League, whose aim is to help, not themselves, but smaller organisations who are in turn helping to build up the city. A tribute to Miss Mowbray as a Victoria League member was paid to her in England, when she -went there as Auckland's delegate to the conference • held in 1913. During proceedings, each speaker was entitled to five minutes, but by special request Miss Mowbray was asked'to continue her talk for twenty minutes. Those who have heard Miss Mowbray speak will be able to appreciate the compliment paid her.