FATHER CHRISTMAS IN PALMERSTON

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 78, 26 December 1925, Page 3

FATHER CHRISTMAS IN PALMERSTON

VISITS CHILDREN AND OLD

PEOPLE Palmerston North, December 25. The homes of returned soldiers in Palmerston North and the Old People’s Home at Awapuni had a pleasant visit from Father Christinas this morning ere the sun had risen, for four members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Messrs. A. W. Chapman, F. Cousins, D. Dilks, and J. Smith, each clad in splendid make-up for the occasion. set out on a visit to the kiddies of returned men. Calls were .made in many instances before the occupants were awake, when balloons and sweets were handed to or left for youngsters ( in liberal quantities. A little later, having aroused the kiddies’ curiosity. .Santa Claus made another visit, this time distributing ver.v acceptable presents. Not onlv were the children provided for. but the inmates of the Ohl People’s Home were the recipients of appreciable little gifts, conveying with them the good cheer of .the association. The scheme, for which the money was collected by public subscription prior to Christmas, was a huge success, and the initial attempt to introduce a spirit of Christmas into such a large number of homes met with gratifying results. Every credit for '. such excellent work is due to the ex- I ecutive of the Returned Soldiers’ As- J sociation, of which Air. B. J. Jacobs is president and Mr. W. G. Rutherford secretary. Those who so ably acted in the capacity of Father Christmas are four members of the executive. Such splendid activities could not be carried out without the co-operation of motor owners to convey the venerable old men to . their numerous destinations. Messrs. T. W. Rutherford, A. George, H. Walkley, and Wolterman provided the necessary means of transit.