THE NAVY LEAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1625, 17 December 1912, Page 4

THE NAVY LEAGUE.

ANNUAL MEETING. THE PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The annual general meeting of the Wellington branch of tho Navy League, was _ held at tho Town Hall last evening, and was presided over by tho Mayor-(Mr. D. M/Laren). In conjunction with tho meeting, a number of prizes were presented to the successful competitors in an essay competition on the following subject: "How Naval Disaster would Effect New Zealand," Tho prizes, which took tho form of useful and handsome books, were presented by the Mayoress. In a short opening speech, the Mayor stated tliat ho regarded tho need of the establishment of a very strong Navy, not only in tho Mother Country, but in the Dominions. People who have not travelled afar did not know what they iwore talking about when they, discussed Britain's navj. Ho considered that tho naval power should not only be strengthened at Homo but in the Pacific. The speaker thon referred in very complimentary .terms the work of Mr. Palmer, as secretary 'of tho league. In referring to tho report, tho Mayor stated that the adult membership of the league in Wellington was 291. He considered that this number should be considerably increased during the next year. The juvenile membership was Hi, and this also should bo increased. He also referred to the help received from the schools in gotting boys and girls to Join the league. In conclusion, the Mayor stated that New Zealand was essentially a maritime country, and for that reason everybody should bo up and doing all the time in strengthening tho league. Mr. Le Grovo said that S&ntiment wag a .very great factor in relation to the navy, but in'time to come, he considered that it would not be a matter of sentiment, but rather a matter of duty. The Mayor mbvod the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet. > 'Mr. J. B. Harcourt seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. Harcourt proposed a vote of thanks to tho honorary officers of the league. The motion was carried unanimously. The election of officers included . an assistant secretary. The officers elected were:—President, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. D. M'Laren); vice-presidents, Mrs. S. A. Rhodes, the Hon. W. Fraser, M.P., Sir J. G. Findlay, K.C.M.G., K.C., Messrs. J. G. W. Aitken, G. Shirtcliffe, W. C. Buchanan, M.P., J. P. Firth, J. B. Harcourt, T. M. Wilford, M.P., and the Hon. T. W. Hislop; hon. secretary, Mr. C. W. Palmer; assistant, Mr. R. Darroch; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. M. Butt; assistant, Mr. Oscar Borer; hon. auditor, Mr. E. R. Dymook, F.1.A., N.Z.; committee, Mr. J. B. Harcourt (chairman), Mr. E. J. Le Grove, Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, V.D., Mr. R. Darroch, Mr. J. M. Butt, Mr. C. W. Palmer, Mr. D. Mlvellar, Captain A. V. Jones, LieutenantColonel A. Hume, Mr. J. T. Horn, Captain G. T. Hall, Mr. Oscar Borer, Mr. C. R. Smith, Mr. H. S. Myers, Mr. Chitman, Dr. Gilmer, Mr. C. F.'H. Pollock.

The.prize-list was as follows:—Brooklyn School, J. T. Dawson; Kilbifnie School, Leonard Atkinson and Inez Rigg (equal); Mount Cook Girls' School, Ireno Ermeny; Newtown School, John Evers, 1; Albert Marley, 2; Northland School, Harold Gapes, 1; and Thos. Lewis, 2; Roseneath School, K. Watt, I;.D. Gifford, 2; and L. Dawson, 3; Terrace ' School, Maurice Braund, 1; Eric Harris, and Win. Morrison, 2.