Letter To A King Wins Royal Response In City

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29760, 1 March 1962, Page 12

Letter To A King Wins Royal Response In City

A letter addressed to the King of Greece was far astray when it arrived at a house in Robin street, Burwood, Christchurch, last week. But the king himself could hardly have given a better reception to the letter The letter had apparently been exchanged by accident for another which the sender was posting to Mr and Mrs B. T. R. McMaster in Burwood. The letter the McMasters had expected was' one which, to judge by previous letters from the same source, was to thank them for help sent through the Save the Children Fund. The letter to the king gave a much more heart-rending account of the need for aid than ever the senders had confided to the McMasters. The letter said: “To His Royal Highness the King of Greece. “Your Highness, “I am a family man with seven children. Our position is very serious. We live in a disused tobacco factory at . My babies suffer from lack of fresh air, and my three older ones go 'to school almost naked.

“As winter is approaching, we are nearly beside ourselves wondering what to do We plead with you to arrange someone to help us with food and clothing. If nothing is done, my family

will die of starvation. If you do not believe me, send someone to see. “With respect and honour.’’ The signature followed. On reading this, the McMasters took the letter to their minister, the Rev. L. V. Willing, of the Shirley Methodist Church, who was so impressed that he used it as the basis for his Sunday morning sermon. Since then, the church has been open continuously to receive supplies for this family. Up to yesterday, several trailerloads of food and clothing and £3O had been received As a result, the Save the Children Fund will be able to arrange for the relief of families who suffered in a recent hurricane as well as the family of the man whose letter to the- King of Greece brought such a royal response.