WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16160, 14 March 1918, Page 2

WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE.

ANNUAL MEETING OF CITY BRANCH. >. The annual meeting of the city branch of tho- Women's National Reserve was held afternoon, Mrs William Wood presiding over a good attendance/ Before proceeding with the business of the meeting Mrs William Wood referred to the presentation of badges to tho mothers of soldiers and sailors which is to take place next week. Mrs Wood explained that her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool had consented to present the badges, and that Professor J. Macmillan Brown would deliver an address, while it was hoped that tho Governor-General and ino Mayor would also. be present. The speaker said that the Women's National Reserve was be ins registered in Wellington as an organised Society. She asked for further volunteers for visiting, and for recruits for a volnntafv typing class. Tho Reserve waa now on its third batch of work cf classifying and compiling records icr the National Efficiency Board, and more workers were wanted.

The report for the year was presented by Mrs Danvers Haraber, and showed that the number of members bad increased to two hundred. Tho various patriotic activities of the branch, were detailed, special mention being made of the visiting work. Over 200 wives and mothers of soldiei s have been j-egularly visited, and reports sent in to tho Patriotic Fund. Tho first of the gatherings for soldiers' wives and mothers and children was given on August 24th, and subseauent gatherings of this description had been verv successful. The report eondueled by stating that although the Reserve was not carrying out its original scliemo of training women crd girls to replace men (except in the caso of the gardening class, which, Tinder Mr Young, was teaching 50 members to bo gardeners), it was doing' all in its power to fulfil its second aim bv helping in all good works for the benefit of the Empire, the Dominion, and the individual. Mrs Wood congratulated the branch on its excellent report, and expressed pleasure at the re-election of Mrs Hambcr us convenor ,_ her capabilities in this direction .having given complete satisfaction in the past. Miss Elsie Cooper, the secretary, was also thanked for her past services and enthusiasm in the work. Officers for the year were elected as follows: Convenor, Mrs Hamber; hon. secretary, Miss Elsie Cooper; ™Jll - - Miss Ross: committee, Mrs Harper, Mrs Hastie, Mrs Laurie, Miss Lucas Mrs Thacker, Mrs TurnbulJ, Miss Way, and Mrs Waterston.