NAVY LEAGUE MATTERS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9641, 5 November 1909, Page 5

NAVY LEAGUE MATTERS

AN INTERESTING ADDRESS

Yesteray afternoon, Mr W. T. Mansfield, Treasurer of the Maaterton Branch of the Navy League, ac companied by the Secretary, Mr E. R. B. Daniel, paid a visit to the Fernridge School (which haj just formed a branch of the League), when a most interesting lecture, illustrated with lantern slides was delivered. the schoolroom had been specially arranged for the lantern lecture, and there was a large attendance of pupils and their parents. Tne headmaster (Mr R. J. Foss), who is a Navy League enthusiast, in explaining the objects of the League, apologised for the absence of Mr Evans, Chairman of the School Committee. He was piea3ed to state that no less than 28 pupils had been enrolled. For an annual fee of one shilling the children become entitled to a Navy League year book, published every year, and a medallion cast from the cannon captured with the French vessel Foudroyant. When a British warship was in New Zealand waters the members would be taken, at the expense of the Masterton Branch, over the warships, and given an ocular demonstration of what they were supporting by their membership.

Mr Mansfield then delivered his lecture, the lantern beine manipu lated by the Secretary, assisted by Mr A. 0. Levien. Types of the early British craft were depicted, including that of the "Coracle," and afterwards the battleships, cruisers and torpedoes of the various nHtions, such as Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain and America. The illustrations of the earlier vessels of war included an ancient three-decker battleship "St. Vincent," a ship of the time of William the Conqueror, a Phoenician galley of the 10th Century, a 13th Century ship besieging a fortress.a naval action in the English Channel in the time of Edward the Third between France and England, an old two decker battleship, "Foadroyant." Other slides were depicted showing the lighter side of life on board of the British fleets as well as a boom constructed across the mouth at the entrance of the Portsmouth Harbour, which had been, thought to be an impregnable obstacle to an enemy, but which the recent exploit of a tor"pedo gun boat manned by a picked volunteer crew proved to be quite easily susceptible of destruction. A section of an early type of the British submarine was shown as well as a section of the interior. Films in connection with the Russian—Japanese War and the American—Spanish War were also shown. After this the audience were entertained with a large number of magnificent lantsrn slides prepared from photographs taken by Mr Foas depicting New Zealand flora, scenery, Rotorua and Maori life. At" the conclusion -uf the lecture Mr Foss moved a hearty vote of thanks to the visitors, which was suitably responded to by Mr Mansfield. __