NAVY LEAGUE LADIES' AUXILIARY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 263, 2 August 1919, Page 4

NAVY LEAGUE LADIES' AUXILIARY

FAREWELL TO MRS. HALL- . THOMPSON. The coming departure for England of Wis. Hall-Thompson, the president ot [ the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Navy League, is being keenly felt by members and last evening a farewell gathering in her honour, arranged by the auxiliary, was held in the Sydney btveot Schoolroom, lheir Excellencies the Governor-General and tin) CoiinUss ol Liverpool and members if the N'avy League, the Ladies' Auxiliary, and the Girls' Branch were among those who wero present, and the occasion was made a very pleasant one, with music, songs, choruses, recitations; and an exhibition of fancy dancing. The hall had been charmingly decorated for tlio occasion, Hags and toliago compietely hiding the walls from view, and giving a very cheerful air to the room, while the stage, with its drapings of flags with dark curtains as a foil, was an exceedingly decorative feature of the arrangements. To the guests of the evening, tor Mrs. Hall-Thompson was accompanied. by Captain Hall-Thompson and their son and daughter, a special placing of flags conveyed the messayj: "Good-byo and jood luck." Their Excellencies and Captain and Mrs. Hall-Thompson were received by Mr. Harcourt (chairman of the executive), Mr. Luke (president of the Navy League), Mrs. Luke (now president of the Ladies' Auxiliary), Colonel Campbell (vice-president), Mrs. J. Darling (hon. secretary of the Ladies' Auxiliary), and Mrs. C. Richardson (hon. treasurer), and bouquets were presented to Lady Liverpool, Mrs. Hall-Thompson, and Mrs. Luke. Farewell messages, from the Marlon branch of the Ladies' Auxiliary, the Picton branch, and others had been received, and these wero conveyed to Mrs, Hall-Thompson by the hon. secretary (Mrs. Darling), who also apologised ' for the absence of Mrs. C. Earle, a member of the committee. Contributing to. tho excellent programme, which had been arranged by Miss Mary Butler, were Miss Medley's orchestra, Mr. Hamilton Hodges, Miss Eileen Driscoll, and Miss Chatwin, with songs; the Victoria League Concert Party, with choruses; Miss Valerie Corliss and Miss Chalmers,with a Dinnofo'rte duet; Miss Marj Butler, recitation; and Miss Doris.Coull and Mr. Theo. Tresize, an exhibition of a fox trot and a hesitation waltz. In the course of the evening the Mayor made a brief speech,-in which he referred to tho splendid work which Mrs. lUil-Thompson had done in connection with the Navy League. She had been a tower if strength to members during the years of turmoil, and stress that were (ho hoped) left behind, and he greatly regretted her departure. He could not but express his admiration for her work | and for herself.

Lady Liverpool, who was called upon to speak' by Mr. Luke, said that she had been asked by the members of tho Ladies' Auxiliary to present to Mrs. Hall-Thompson a pendant watch as a. memento of'her work among them, anil us a token of their great regard and esteem. It was accompanied with their wishes for her future happiness and welfare. In reply, Mrs. Hall-Thompson thanked Mr. Luke and the Auxiliary League, and. tho branches, for thoir kind wishes and for their very' charming gift. They could not have giveu her anything that pleased her more, and whenever she wore it she would think of her friends in New Zealand. It had been a great pleasure to her to assist with tho leagues work here, and while doing so she had made many friends, Whom she would miss dreadfully. She was indeed sorry to part with them. They had all been ; iuost loyal workers-tho committee, the ' subcommittee; and the different branches, -andVithout their co-operation the work for the sailors would have suffered. Tho auxiliary had also been very fortunate in its secretaries, first Mrs. Bradnoy AVilliams, who had done so much in organising, then Mrs. Martin,' and now Mrs. Darling, who had all worked so well, and "the treasurer, Mrs. Richardson, who had been invaluable. Sho again thanked them for their kind wishes and gift. Following tho presentation and speeches came the singing of "i'or Shea a .Tolly Good Fellow.'' The watch, which was the gift of the auxiliary and tho branches, was a most charming affair, in blue enamel, set in a half-moon of platinum filigree, inlaid with brilliants, and a chain to match. Supper, which followed at the conclusion: of tho programme, wos'in charge of the Refreshment Committee of tho Girls Branch. So loath to depart was everyone, that an impromptu dnnco followed, different members of the' Girls Branch playing the music. Her Excellency Lady Liverpool woro a gown of white satin, draped with lace, and a coat of old rose panne, with fur collar and cuffs. Mrs. Hall-Thompson was in black satin, with corsngo draped with emerald green georgette, and winged sleeves of tho same material. Mrs. Luko was in black satin; Mrs Darling, grey silk, trimmed with silver-threaded lace and black fur; find Mrs. Richardson, in a liberty dress of mauve chiffon, brocaded with silver, and worn over soft satin, the bodice being heavily embroidered with pearls. Thero were 'also present the Acting-Premier (Sir James Allen), Sir Eobert and Lady Stout, Mrs. Kincton Parkes, Mrs. Hopi) Lewis, Mils. A. Myers, Commander Kioley and Mrs. Kieley, Captain Williams. Commander Russell, of tho_ Geranium,' and some of his officers, Lieutenant Denton and Mrs. Denton, Mrs. Guy Powlcs, Captain Chudley, Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Steele, Miss Harcourt, Mr. and Mrs. Tripp, and, as already mentioned, members of tho league and its auxiliary branches.