READERS' SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 206, 30 August 1940, Page 5

READERS' SERVICE.

TROOPS' "CHEERIO."

"EIGHT O'CLOCK" FEATURE.

A chance for readers of the "Auckland Star" to send a personal "cheerio" to friends and relatives among New Zealand soldiers, sailors and airmen serving overseas, and at the same time keep them in touch with the sporting activities of the city and province, will shortly be offered through a special service in the "Eight o'Clock" Saturday sports edition. This service will commence on Saturday week, September 7.

A brief outline of the idea is as, follows: A message, giving the military number, unit and name of the recipient is handed in at the "Star" Office in Shortland Street or sent by post. Provision is being made for a special column in the "Eight o'Clock" in which the messages will be printed. A copy of the paper will the:i be forwarded to each man for whom there is a message by the first available mail.

A small fee is charged for the service. A personal message of 15 words, excluding the military number, rank and name, will cost the sender 2/6. Messages for insertion each Saturday should reach the "Star" Office not later than 1 p.m. on the preceding Friday. Posted messages may" be accompanied by a postal order. Messages exceeding 15 words will be published by special arrangement.

This inexpensive service should appeal to readers as much as it will to those serving overseas. Whether they be wearing khaki, navy blue or air force blue, the boys are still intensely interested in what is happening at home. They are mainly young men, and the splendid sports service offered by the "Eight o'Clock" —news of the rest of the "gang," football team, yacht's crew, tennis club, and so on—will be a bright spot in the lives of those who have sacrificed all civilian pleasures.

And, of course, in addition, there will be the personal message. They will know they have not been forgotten.