THE SANDBAG BRIGADE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 66, 17 March 1916, Page 3

THE SANDBAG BRIGADE.

LULL IN OPERATIONS.

The Auckland Sandbag Brigade, which has been actively engaged for months; collecting and sewing sandbags for soldiers at the front, has now made up a total of 50,000, of which 40,000 have already been dispatched. In other parts of the Dominion other bands have been at work, and recently word was received from the Defence Department that

"owing to the ready and patriotic response of New Zealand, many thousands of bags have been dispatched to the base at Egypt, and there would now appear to be a large reserve on hand."

At a recent meeting of the committee of the Auckland Brigade, it was decided that under the conditions indicated by the Defence Department, it wae advisable to discontinue making up the sandbags for the present, but the members are asked to hold themselves ready to resume operations whenever called upon. Sandbags sent from New Zealand have •been delivered to the base in Egypt, but it is considered probable that further supplies may be required in other fields of- operation, such as Salonika.

The committee desires to express its thanks to the helpers, especially to country friends, who collected and sent forward sacks. In many instances where sacks have been sent from the various branches of the Farmers' Union, the New Zealand Dairy Association, and other institutions, the individual names of senders have not been disclosed, so direct acknowledment could not be made. The cartage has all been free| through the generosity of Auckland carrying firms, and premises and workrooms have been provided by the Working Men's Club, the V.M.C.A., and others, at no cost to the committee, while donations were forwarded for the purchase of twine.

During the lull in bag-making, endeavours are being made to find suitable alternative activities to employ the energy and enthusiasm of the Sandbag Brigade.