MANUREWA

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 364, 28 March 1918, Page 1

MANUREWA

VICTORIA LEAGUE MEETING The annual meeting of the Manurewa branch of the Victoria League was held in the Public Hall, Manurewa, m Tuesday last, when there was a representative attendance of those interested in the League's work. The Rev \V. C. Wood presided and in addition to the local officers and members present, were Mesdames Edmonds and Blomfield, representing the parent Society (Auckland) and Miss Holland. The Secretary (MrsH. Mellors) presented the report for the year ending 31st December, 1917, as follows:—The membership totals 63 and the work, as in the previous year, has been on behalf of the Red Cross, The fortnightly sewing meetings were well attended, 265 garments and 123 pairs of socks being the result of -the six month's work. These garments were forwarded to the Auckland Branch for distribution. The donation of a sewing machine from the Farmer's Union has been much appreciated, Also a roll of flannel kindly donated by Messrs Martin Bros. The bulk of the funds have been raised by Red Cross teas and socials, £6 by Mrs Brinsmead, £lB 3s 6d by Mrs Muir, £l3 18s 9d by Mr and Mrs Corin, £l4 Is by the Misses Perry, Coxhead and Thompson, £2l Is 9d by Messrs Burton, Muir, Coxhead and Dreadon, and £3O by the working members' supper, making a total of £ll4 14s from all sources. In October we despatched 48 gifts of butter and chocolate to the Manurewa ''boys" on active service, and many leters of thanks have been received saying how much they appreciated the parcels. At various times we have farewelled six recruits who have sailed. These boys each received a gift from the Manurewa inhabitants, £9 16s 6d being raised by the young people's dances towards this fund. A donation of £1 Is was sent by the League to the Soldiers' Memorial fund and £25 to the Red Cross Appeal fund. Several of the members assisted the Auckland branch at their "Daffodil Day", and "Our Appeal Day." The Executive wishes to thank the Trustees for the free use of the hall, also Messrs Smith and Caughey for the loan of a sewing machine The balance sheet showed that the League's total receipts had been £53 7s 6Jd, including £4l 13s Ud received from teas, whilst £ll lis sid had been expended on goods and £25 forwarded to the Red Cross fund, leaving a balance inland of £l6 16s Id. For the Red Cross fund the receipts totalled £135 6s 3£d, made up of balance brought forward £73 8s 9d, interest 5s Bd* and Red Cross teas £6l lis IOJd, and the expenditure for goods had been £B6 Is Cd, leaving a credit balance of £49 4s 9Jd.

The report and balance sheet having been adopted, officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs A. Muir; Treasurer, Mrs Palmer; Secretary, Mrs Mellors; while the Vice-Presidents were Mesdames G. Coxhead, Grant and Brown, with the following as Executive Mesdames C. Coxhead, C. H. Lupton, Perry, Field, Lovell and Thompson, and Mr T. J. Corin.

Mrs Muir, in thanking the members for re-electing her as President, referred to the satisfactory work which had been done by the members. VQih their continued help she trusted the coming year would be a successful one.

Mrs Edmonds, on behalf of the parent League in Auckland, congratulated, the Branch on the excellent work so faithfully done by the members and urged all to keep up to that high standar i. In addition to garments she mentioned that they were always pleased to receive country produce, which found a ready sale at their Red Cross shop in Auckland. Any gifts, she said, would be always appreciated. Mrs Edmonds expressed a hope the good work would prosper and she looked forward with confidence to a continued success.

Miss Holland congratulated the branch on their success and mentioned that the next conference of representatives from the various branches would be held in Auckland in April 1910. Hie had recently attended the conference in Christchurch from which she gained, she said, a good deal of inspiration. The Rev. Wood then gave an interesting addrets on the war. He Raid that many people were obsessod with the idea that our immediate duty was to win the war and overlooked the fact that u is also important to seriously consider after war conditions. It became necessary to employ the best men and women to B'dve the problems which would have to be faced and it behoved all to seriously consider that most important aspect. It was necessary not only to fight for peace but to to prevent war. In this con neciion the reverend gentleman referred to :h" League of Nations, the central idea of which was to inculca'9 a new principle according to the spirit of God's will rather than that of self interest. They must then break down the military machine and also the secret diplomacy service The regeneration of mankind and the cultivation of a universal brotherhood}was needed to maintain the world. The

address was attentively listened to and the rev. gentleman was thanked for the many services rendered to the League during the year which they all appreciated. Mrs A. Muir mentionedL-tbat the League had decided give £5 towards the relief of sufferers caused by the recent bush fires'ih the King Country, which the gathering heartily agreed to. Tea was served by the ladies and a successful meeting was brought to a close