SOLDIERS' KITS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15449, 30 November 1915, Page 4

SOLDIERS' KITS.

TOO MANY SOCKS

LEATHER WAISTCOATS

CONDEMNED

In n Ifti«r written from Sidi Bislii Camp. Kgypt, on October 10th, Lieutenant 1). P. Fraser gives a good deal or very useful advice regarding cifts | for ihe New Zealand soldiers ("says the "Timniu Herald"). ]t is evident that lie regards as his beta and most important now* the announcement that he had received orders to rejoin the Canterbury Battalion at Gallipoli. lie was to be relieved hy Lieutenant Thorn, who was expected to take Up duty on October 11th afu>r coming out of a convalescent home at Alexandria. Major Griffiths (Blenheim) and Lieutenant Stitt cAshburton) were to rejoin the battalion, and Captain Hugh Stewart and Lieutenant Dobson (both of Christchurch) were already back at the front. Lieutenant Kraser remarks that only a very few of the original officers were .still on duty. Lieutenant l r ra<er mentions that he had received another consignment of pipe-; from the South Canterbury Pipe , Fund and proposed to take them with him to the Peninsula.

It has been rather a big week for me as regards parcels, ho writes, the reason being. I think, that the Post Office was having a clearance. 1 received a sack full.

Itcgarding basil -waistcoats.—l am not at all sure of their use, because it is cither a question of -warmth only or wtrmth and dryness combined. If meant for the latter, yon might ns well keep them in New 'Zealand, as a basil only soaks and holds the water, whereas if it were a pelt jacket (sheep, skin with a little wool on) it sheds the water and keeps one warm. The little bit of wool does the trick. I know you won't mind, but as regards sork.s, stop sending them. If you really want to make socks and get the best return for them, give them to the New Zealand Ordnance. A soldier lias to carry his wardrobe on his back, and little counts, especially yrhtin the whole boiling is wet, and if he gets more than two extra pairs of socks, •veil, ho just does the obvious—throws them away. His pack will hold onlv a certain amount, and even then is taxed to the utmost. A pair of good socks every two months is ample, because if wo do, happen to run out the Ordnance will give us a pair for tho asking and 'we don't have a terrific lot of marching, and nowadays the army boot is "the" latest thing m comfort" if not in looks.| [ must say I have never .chucked socks away, because when I was Quartermaster I issued them, and afterwards, wlien I was assistant M.S.Cf.. handed them to the men instead '■ of requisitioning for them. But lots of men just dump them. Don't think me ungrateful. I just tell you these facts because I know you like to know how useful, or otherwise, your gifts are.

Generally Bpeaking, most clothing lasts two months before it gets—well", "6ver the fence." Soap tablets, tobacco, pipes, cigarettes and chocolates aro the things, and a bit of writing paper and envelopes: yes, and a box of safety matches. Chocolate doesn't melt through the tropics, and generally arrives in good condition, especially the kind ijhat -s done up in little squares.