The Navy League

(Auckland New Zealand Branch).

Inaugural Meeting.

The Auckland Branch of the Navy League was inaugurated on the evening of Friday, 21st February, 1896, by a Lecture in the Hall of the Young Men's Christian Association, at Auckland, by Mr. W. J. Napier, Barrister, of Auckland, on "The British Navy : Its Duties and its Strength."

There was an overflowing audience of ladies and gentlemen. The platform was occupied by members of the Executive Committee of the League, including the Mayor of Auckland (J, J. Holland, Esq.), Judge Von Sturmer, J. Savage, Esq., G. S. Budge, Esq., Thos, Henderson, Esq., J. M. Brigham, Esq. The President of the Branch, Malcolm Niccol, Esq. (Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board and Mayor of Devonport), occupied the Chair.

A musical programme of a patriotic and national character was given at intervals during the lecture, and limelight views of naval incidents were also exhibited. A number of interesting relics of the Napoleonic wars were exhibited by Mr. Edwin Harrow, of Takapuna.

The audience was most enthusiastic throughout the whole of the proceedings.