A BATTLESHIP BELL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 843, 15 June 1910, Page 6

A BATTLESHIP BELL.

: GIFT FROM NEW ZEALAND. ' (By TeleEranh—rress Association.) Christchurch, Juno 13. When Sir Joseph Ward made on be--1 half of New Zealand the offer of a bat- ' tleship to the British Navy the little borough of Cambridge bestirred ' itself, and under the" auspices of Miss Alice Rockfort, then matron of Waikato Sanatorium, the patriotic enthusiasm of the women and girls of the district ivaa aroused. The Women's Patriotic League was formed, and in small amounts the sum of .£7O was subscribed with the idea of providing n bell for the New Zealand battleship. This sum, together with a covering letter, was sent to the, Prime Minister by the honorary general secretary of the league, Miss Kockfort, who has lately received the following reply:— "Dear Madam,—l have received the memorial addressed to me by yourself and other members of your league, informing me that the sum of .£7O lias been collected as a patriotic fund, following on the- ofi'er of the Government: on behalf of the people of New Zealand of a battleship to the British Navy. I desire, in reply, to express my hgh appreciation of the loyal spirit which prompted the members of your league to establish the fund, which I regard as an indication of the sacrifice which they would be ready to make in the interests of Iho Empire if called upou to do so. The patriotic sentiments expressed in your communication strike a keynote which will find sympathetic response in the heart of every truo New Zealander. Personally, I thank you for your cordial remarks on my' behalf, which are very gratifying to mo. I. shall 'be very pleased to give consideration to your suggestion ] that the sum referred to should be uacd ] Ifor providing a bell on the New Zea- , land battleship.—Yours faithfullv (signed) < J. G. Ward."