THE CHURCH ARMY.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 306, 24 December 1921, Page 9

THE CHURCH ARMY.

■ CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THE POOR. New Zealand lias assisted in providing Christmas dinners for the poor children of England since 1910. We learn from the Rev. F. W. Whibley, of Ormondville, hon. secretary of the Church Army in New Zealand, that last year 3000 invitations were given. This year the same number at least will be given, perhaps more, as the funds available are a little larger. Schools all over the Dominion send gifts for their poor brothers and sisters at Home. Many grateful letters of thanks have been sent to the secretary at Ormondville. Mr. Whibley -writes: "Last year, in fifty different towns, the very poorest. children were selected. I am thankful that we can invite a few more for the Christmas dinner, 11)21. Poor little chaps, they are eager to be invited to perhaps the only square meal of the year. Allow mc through your columns to thank the many schools of the Auckland province that have contributed, and also other friends. Some contributions received lately will be sent later on, as the need of help is always present. The last payment on account of the Xew Zealand children r s Christmas dinner fund to reach the Church Army headquarters in time was cabled to Prebendary Carlilo. chief of the Church Army, on December 15. 'To-day (December 22) we are sending ! £30 on account of wool given by farmers Jto help the Church Army to maintain ' the motherless children of soldiers sent to their homes. Many small parcels of wool are still coming to hand. I wish to thank the donors to both funds.' Prebendary Carlile founded the Church Army in 1881, principally for evangelistic, rescue and slum -work among the poor.