SOLDIERS' THANKS FOR GIFTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3017, 2 March 1917, Page 3

SOLDIERS' THANKS FOR GIFTS

SOME INTERESTING LETTERS. The overseas mail whieli arrived in Wellington this week brought many lotters and posteards to tho honorary secretary of the Countess : of Liverpool Fund (Mrs. Crawford) from soldiers, both from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and from the men of tho Twentieth Reinforcements, written from their transports, and all acknowledging tho safo receipt of their Christmas parcels. In addition there were letters from sailors on board H.M.S. Philomel, thanking "the committee for tlieir Christmas Rifts, for which they were exceedingly grateful. In a letter, received from Miss Rout, lion, secretary of the Volunteer Sisters, sho mentions tho faofc that the N.Z.M.R. in Egypt had not received their Christmas comforts at-the time of writing, pncl in consequence they wore greatly indebted to the kindness of the Commissioner of the Australian Comforts Fund. They were also feeling somewhat neglected naturally. Unfortunately there was eomo delay in tlie sending forward of the New Zealand comforts, for which the committee was not responsible, and in consequence they were late in reaching Egypt, not getting there as a matter of fact, until January. The delay, hoivever, was really worth- while, as it showed the truly excellent spirit of comradeship that exists between the Australians and tho New Zealanders, and no doubt our men will lose no time in reciprocating such goodwill and kindliness.

One soldier, writing from the desert (Egypt) on January, says:—"Many thanks for your most welcome parcel, which came to hand yesterday. As we arc very far out in the desert, and do not get many chances of getting stores, the contents were a great treat. 1. Another soldier, also writing from Egypt, after thanking the committee for their gifts, says that everything arrived in perfect order, which was very satisaciory news to the senders. From a transport which was conveying the Twentieth Reinforcements abroad a soldier writes acknowledgment of the gift parcel ■ which lie received on Christmas Day, and whicn gave an additional interest to the occasion. "The gift parcels were," ho added, "greatly appreciated by the boys. , ' The ship's adjutant also wrote and acknowledged the receipt of eleven cases of gift goods, and he wished his gratitude and that of tho men conveyed to tho members of the socioty. A letter from Mesopotamia was received from one of the officers with the New Zealand Wireless Troop, in which ho assures the committee that ■oreryone appreciated their kindness and good wishes. "Owing to some members of my troop being in remote parts, and , others, through sickness, being out of this country, I expect theirs will take longer to roach them, but I am doing my utmost to get the gifts to their destination before Christmas. Although a bit late, my men heartily reciprocate your greetings, and wo aro always thinking of our loved ones and friends in good old New Zealand."

Another interesting letter was received by tho hon. secretary iftas-Cap-tain Hall-Thompson, of H.M.S. Philomel. He writes: "They (tho Christmast presents) arrived in the nick of time, just at Christmas, and I can assure jou they were very much appreciated by all concerned. We spent Christmas Day (for the first timo during the war) at anchor and in harbour, and all hands enjoyed' themselves as much as ■ possible in these localities. Their enjoyment (I need hardly aSd) was muoh accentuated by - tangible proofs that they were- not forgotten by thoso at home. Please accept our heartfelt thanks to all concerned for all -their trouble." . Last,--but by no means-least, were letters from nurses acknowledging the arrival.of their gifts. One of them, writing from Queen Mary's Hostel for Nurses, says: "It was very kind in-I deed to find wo were remembered by the ladies of Wellington on Christmas Day. At a season like this one naturally thinks of homo and the homeland; and tlie parcel on my bed on .Christmas; morning reminded me again that we were not forgotten though far away. "The soldiers on board thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas Day, and the Christinas dinner. Many of them told I me it was better than they would I hnve liad in their own bomes. Several of them were Imperial men. Please accept my thanks for tho Christmas gift." ' !