VICTORIA LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 193, 4 May 1918, Page 5

VICTORIA LEAGUE

j ANNUAL MEETING . RECORD OF PATRIOTIC WORK . The annual meeting of the Victoria League was held in tho Esperanto Hall, Lnmbton Quay, last evening. Mr. C. B. Morison, K.C., presidod, and associated with him upon the platform were Miss Coates (president of the league), and the secretary, Mrs. J. D. Gray. I Before dealing with the formal business of tne league the chairman congratulated Miss Coates upon the decoration which hud recently been bestowed uiioii her. It was felt that Hiss Coates was indeed entitled to it for her untiring work during tho war. Miss Coates thanked Mr. Morison for his kind remarks and congratulations. The secretary (Mrs. Gray) was asked to read the annual report, which was as follows-.—"The patriotic work of 'tho Wellington Victoria League has gone on steadily and without intermission during the past year. Early in 1917 the league was approached on the subject of a lied Cross shop, which various other societies thought desirable to establish in Wellington. It was decided to take charge of the shop on one day every three months, and a eub-committee appointed to make,arrangements. The results were considered satisfactory, arid excellent work was dona by the president and committee, including Mesdames Larnach, Muir, Lover, Von Haast, West, Campbell, Meadowcroft, J. D. Gray. ,1. Mackenzie, \V. G. Eeid, Miss M Caw and many willing helpers. During the year 1017, however, the league decided, to drop taking special days at the ehop owing to members having to work for their district as well as the league's day at the shop, though a new arrangement which had been made, and which entailed much overlapping, for the members of the league. "The question, of giving assistance on Returned Soldiers' Day was also considered, and it was decided that in view of the shortness of the time the league would work in co-operation with the ladies of ihe Sydney Street Soldiers' Club Committee. This was done and very substantial help to the cause was ■the result. An interesting occasion was when Miss Coates presented silver identification discs to certain men belonging to the lioyal jN'nvy. 'These discs were the gifts of the Victoria League concert party. • The work of supplying medical comforts and Hospital clothing to every transport which leaves our shores continues steadily. About 200 cases have now been supplied. Miss Coates continiitd to be the organiser and chief worker with able assistance from Mrs. Louis Blundell, while members and friends of the league gave jegular subscriptions towards the, expenses of the cases. The Gear Company continues mi pnlying -meat extract, the Licensed Victuallers the spirits, and loading Wellington -merchants the groceries necessary for the comforts. Thanks are due to nil these, both for hard work and generosity in giving. The concert party has given regular entertainments at the camp at Trenlham, giving one each month to the Chur:h of England Institute, and one to- the Salvation Army. They have also given a concert at Featherston Cam]), and one at the Pioneer Club in aid of the Serbian Fund. Those were all greatly appreciated. The Wellington Victoria League had a great loss (luring the year in the death of Dr. Albert Martin, a lifo member and vicepresident of the league, and one who had taken great inbrest in it anil always gave substantial help for any wmao the league was interested in. Two resignations from the council were received with great regret—those of Mrs. Coleridge and Mrs. Sydney Kirkcaldie. Another rt-sigiintion, an 1 one that the council unanimously deplored was that of Mrs. Chatfield from the position of secretary, bo long and so (apably filled by her. For many yeans Mrs. Chatfield had identified herself with the Victoria League iu Wellington, and a resolution of regret was passed at a meeting of tho council in October last. Three cases of lantern slides wu'C received from England, and it in hoped tliut lectures will bo arraug-ed-duriiig thu winter mouths. Tho resignation of Mr. <J. I'. I'owles was recently received with deep regret." Tho balance-dheet, road by the hon. treasurer, Mrs. Balcombe Brown, showed in the soldiers' comforts department of tho league u balanco of <£1B 12s. 2il. Donations amounted to .£ll7 165., aud expenditure totalled ;£ll7 12s. 9d. In connection with, Ihe ordinary work ai the lea'jiiu a balance of £13 Us. was disclosed,'the expenditure totalling .£9 18s. id I The report and balance-sheet were formally adopted. The election of < ulcere was as follows: —Patrons for New Zealand, Their Exoelloncio? the Governor-General and the Cuuutess of Liverpool; president, Miss Coates; vice-presidents, Mrs. J. P. Luke, Mrs. Grady, Mr. C. B. Morison, K.C., Mr C ft. Smith; members of the council' Mrs. W. i' , . Masfioy, Mr. C. R. Smith, 'iUsdames Ulumlell, Corrigan H. Hall, .(. Mackenzie, F. Samuel, Shirtcliffe, Tripp, Messrs. Atkins, B-. Darroch, O B, Morison, Professor Bankinoßrown, Mrs. W. G. lteid, -Mrs. John Bell, ,ind Mrs. Lover; members of the executive, Miss Coates, Mrs. L. Blundoll, Mrs. Coriies Mrs. Luke, Mrs. W. G. Heid, Mrs. Lever Mrs. Tiunkine Brown, Mrs. Stott, Mrs. J. D. Gray, and Mrs. Litchfield (the latter in place of Mrs. Chatfield, who had resigned). An apology was received from the Tton. Arthur Myers, who was suffering from influenza, nnd a brief incssaqo wns read in which he congratulated the league upon the extension of its wud\ which was truly Empire building. Tim oxcollent work dono in connection with

soldiers' comforts Mas touched upou, and the many excellent ums uf tku league commeuded. A brief speech wns also made by Mrs. Chatheld, who hoped that the many existing patriotic (societies now engaged in work for the soldiers, whether KedCrois or Liverpool, would not disband wncn the war came to an .nd, bu.t would amalgamate with the Victoria League and so "reatly ex;eiui the league's operations for the good of New '/.enlaiul as well us the limpiw. She .l«> suggested that monthly gatherings be instituted, at which members would bring with them work which would be for the soldiers comforts. The report of the Dominion conference was read by Mrs. Gray, and a brief programme of. songs and choruses, contributed by the Victoria League Concert Partv, Mrs. Peacock and Mr. 0 Connor; followed by wippei. concluded the evening. Apologies were received from Mr. and Mrs. Atkins and M;s. J. Mackenzie (members of th" (ouncil) for their unavoidable absence. FRENCH CLUB

The French Club held the opening meeting of the session on Thursday even, ing. Captain Barclay presided, and tnero was a good attendance, including a number of visitors. After an instrumental Irio by Misses Anderson, Duncan, and Johnston, the president gave his lnaugnral address. He said this «d the beginning of tho eleventh annual session, lliey had begun in a small way eleven years ngo, and he hoped the .club would eontinue to progress so that in another eleven years' time another president would arise from their midst to congratulato the club on much further progress. He quoted from Mr. Lloyd George on war prospects and the aims of tho Allies, saying it was impossible not to feel how'the present struggle was influencing everything. He read n, .letter from the Governor of New Caledonia, expressing iiis appreciation of the Kind wav in which the French soldiers from that island had been treated in Wellington, and thanking Captain Barclay tor a letter sent by him on behalf of the club speaking of the excellent conduct of those soldiers during their stay here. Ihe sergeant in charge of the soldiers also write a letter, in which he referred to tho kindness shown by our citizens to nis soldiers. „ ~. Mr. Cooke sang "Sons l'Ormoaii, AliSB Anderson played a violin solo, Mr. ■Powell sang two French songs, and Mies Rosa van Staveren followed with "Vilanelle." The Misses Anderson., Duncan, and Johnston played another instrumental trio, and the proceedings closed by the whole company singing ia Marseillaise."

An excellent day's work was accomplished at Uio Wellington MCrossMoP yesterday by the Catholic Knitting Guild, and the satisfactory sum of J!w« «•» taken. Aβ usual, excellent . rganisation was shown,'and the display oi produce, cakos, sweets, needlework, etc., was extremely good, ami brought many Sjiijeie. There 'were several ralTles which materially added to the funds. The ladies who were largely responsible for the success of the day were Miss Kennedy, Miss Wheeler, Mrs. Gamble. Mrs. Corngan, Mrs. O'SuUivan, Mrs. Burke, Miss Warmer, and Miss O'Connor, while, the raffles were in charge of Mrs. Boiton and the Misses Welch. A novel form of raising raonoy for the Wadestown "Baby" in connection with the baby competition is being organised by its committee. Several well-known iadies have consented to give a cookery demonstration in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall the week after next, and an excellent opportunity will then be offered to women* of securing eome.ValUh able recipes, many of them particularly suitable to war time. The organisers of the Press produce stall at Kelburn Avenue wish to thank all those friends who eo generously contributed in kind to the stall and also the assistants, who worked so enthusiastically .to mako the day a, success.