SAILOR’S GRATITUDE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 249, 18 July 1942, Page 5

SAILOR’S GRATITUDE

Anzac Club At Halifax Appreciated

It is not given to many organizations to please everybody. ,A New Zealander serving in tlie Royal Navy seems to have had tliis iu mind when lie wrote the secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board, Mr. G. A.. Hayden, from tlie Auzac Club in Halifax, Canada. The letter, which arrived recently, began: "I don t know how often you get recognition ot and expressions of appreciation for the services of the National. Patriotic Fund Board from members of oversells forces, and KO I’ll take this opportunity, on behalf of my New Zealand shipmates and myself, of saying thanks indeed for tlie comfort and air of friendliness and homeliness which prevail at tlie Auzac Club here in Halifax.” This New Zealander since leaving M e>liugton has spent most of his time in England. Latterly, however, with eight New Zealand shipmates, he lias been a frequent visitor to tlie Canadian side ot the Atlantic. In his letter he refers to the thrill it gives him and his mates to go to the Atizac Club to sit there in peace, read papers from home, listen a IB*!quiet music, and, above all, to meet their own countrymen, and also members ot the fairer sex of Halifax at the frequent dunces. "One privilege that has been ours,” he says, "is that of sleeping at tlie club. At sea, due to night watches, we never get 'a full night in our hummocks. So you can imagine what a real night's rest ashore between clean sheets and in a comfortable bed means. Its just -great, and we’re always ready for it.” . . . The writer makes special mention of tlie work being done at the club by a New Zealand Y.M.C.A. officer, Mr. Keith Gresham. This club is maintained jointly and on an equal basis by the Australian Comforts Board and the New Zealand National Patriotic Fund Board, and it seems from all that has been said about it that it is a home away from home for New Zealanders. Mr. Hayden said yesterday that it was gratifying to the board that the club was so popular. “This is not the first time we have received letters about this club,” he added, "and all have been written in the same appreciative strain.”