WAR DISTRESS IN ENGLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4159, 9 February 1916, Page 5

WAR DISTRESS IN ENGLAND.

.-APPRECIATION OF GISBORNE ' - - ASSISTANCE. An interesting letter of thanks was read at the meeting of the Citizens’ Defence Committee yesterday, from the superintendent of the Claremont Central Mission,. Pentonville ; London. He stated that he had. received -from tlie High Commissioner for New Zealand a cheque for £IOO, forwarded on behalf of the Gisborne Citizens’ Committee, for the relief of war distress j and he wanted to ask that it be conveyed to all the inhabitants, of Gisborne who had co-operated in this .gracious beneficience, tlieir warmest gratitude for the timely aid thus rendered. A year ago they received a similar sum, and it had been of very great service in a multitude of ways. It had helped them to provide nourishing meals in their war kitchen, for both aged people, and for mothers m need, as well as for some stranded soldiers. Many aged people had felt the pressure of the war intensely, on account of the great, increase in tlie cost of provisions and fuel, which they had found it impossible to obtain out of tlieir small fixed incomes. .The Mission had also been able to use part of tlie gift in providing comforts for men at the front, and in setting the girls of their clubs to work on warm articles for those exposed to the rigors of winter. Careful aid liad also been rendered to people to whom distress in other ways had come, on account of war conditions. The Mission was husbanding its resources as much as they could, as they were well aware that when the pressure of munitions work and other urgent need s was relieved that there would be an accentuation of distress in some quarters. The superintendent added: “I think you will be interested to know that Her Majesty the Queen again showed her kindly personal interest in our work at Claremont last spring. • Her Majesty then spontaneously sent some cot s for young infants, beautifully equipped with clothing made in the Royal workrooms. . . . It is a source or erreat encouragement to us to be assured of the renewed sympathy of our 'fellow-citizens in Brighter Britain, with tlie dwellers in this part of the Old Metropolis. We hope that at some time some of your be able to visit us. We have, indeed, many who come from various parts or the world from time to time. NWth best wishes for the fullest prosperity of vour town and all your beneficial work in New Zealand, believe me to be, with much esteem and gratitudep> cv . p AV. Newland, ALA., Superintendent.”