"BLUE BOYS" LEAVING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 69, 15 December 1919, Page 4

"BLUE BOYS" LEAVING

FEATHERSTON CAMP TO CLOSE. Fcathorston camp is to bo broken no durinir this week, for all tho patienw will bo taken away on Thursday, most of them to Narrow Neck, Auckland. "The Bltto Boys," as tho patients are called becauso of their hospital uniforms, have been entertained most generously by tho "eoplo of AVairarapa, and in these last days of tho camp there aro :ippointinont.s —little excursions ami visits—for parties of tho men every day. Ever sinco 'there have been convalescent men in tho camp the ladies of AVairarapa have given an afternoon tea in tho camp,' providing tea, sandwiches, cakes, sweets, ami cigarettes! There aro always some musical items, and then, nfter tea, the tables and chairs aro removed and there is dancing for an hour or so. This entertainment has been given every Thursday afternoon, tho last of them last Thursday. At that tea the Blue Boys gave a little parting gift to "Brigadier" B. J. Stone, the cheery Salvation Army padro. who has been the lifo and soni of tho camp. Tho gift ivas a very handsomo case of cutlery, and it was quite clear from tho demons) ration made by the boys when Mr. Stone said his few word? of thanks that ho has won the esteem and affection of them all. 'i'hc people of AVairarapa will miss the Blue Boys when they go. Tor many ladies there the presence of the camp has meant much work, but the work and tho other service has been cheerfully n-iven. The boys, too, have appreciated what has been done for them. They aro going; 'to a cami> better suited by Nature for hospital purposes, but they do not even hope -for such generous hospitality and very great kindness as they have always receded from the people of AVairarapa.