COMFORTS FOR OUR. TROOPS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15452, 3 December 1915, Page 4

COMFORTS FOR OUR. TROOPS.

TO THE ID ITOH cr "l»» MISS." •Sir,—l am frequently getting letters from Christchurcii and elsewhere, asking me my opinion of the best "comforts" lor our bravo men who liavo gone out. to do battle for ns. Having had a very wide experience of things needed by the" men during the South African War, I have been able to help many in their work for the troop*, and many of the men who have returned have, told me that such comforts as I made and bought for them Jiad proved mast valuable. One of the most important of these were cholera belts. Most of the belts made now are not suitable; most of them arc made too loosely and buckle up round the waist, causing a deal of discomfort. I shall be pleased to forward to anyone a correct pattern of belts needed. 'The men leaving Oamarit are presented by the Ladies' Committee of the Overseas Club with a cholera belt, Balaclava cap, etc., and these gifts are proving most acceptable. As a result, frequent enquiries for the pattern ot' those things aro made to us. Another thing which 1 gave to some of the Main Body were tins of Burroughs, "Wellcome and Co.'s tea tabloids and bottles of saccharine, and I've been assured by many of the returned troopers how valuable these things proved to be. A small tin of tea and a l>ottle of saccharine can be '•ought for very little, and will make over one hundred pints of good. tea. ■Some of the men have told me that when others have seen them using these tabloids in the trenches, they i could have sold their supplies for quite a lot of money. Instead of filling their bottles with the very indifferent water which was issued, they made tea and put it into them, and drank it cold, frequently preventing dysentery and other stomach troubles, which have worked such havoc iu the genera] health and efficiency of our men. Another very valuable "comfoH" which anyone can make—even children and which can be made with scraps of wool left over from caps, socks, etc.. is knee-caps. Our men in the trenches hove been wearing short pants, above the knees, and frequently suffered from

cold knees caused by dampness. Several troopers have assured me if they could all get a pair of theso woollen kneecaps it would be a great comfort to them, and many of the knee troubles would probably be averted. F would be so glad il yDu would copy the pattern t in your valuable paper, and possibly some of our busy workers will be pleased to get it and can knif, « few pairs, and present to men going uwav, whom they may kuou\—Yours ouE - davjsv. Willow Glen, ' Oaniaru. The pattern of knee-caps i. s as follows: C ast on 7tj stitches equally dividedon .} needles (No. 12), 4-plv wool. Ivnit 10 rows, 2 plain. 2 purl. Place all the studies on 2 needles, with the exception of 8; knit these 8 stitches plain knitting off one stitch from each needle e.ther side. Repeat this until there are ->S rows 0r 19 ric ;^ cs knittcfl. Now place equal number of stitches on each needle, and knit 2 plain 2 purl ngnt round until there are GO rows' Last off.