Annual Meeting

Hutt News, Volume 16, Issue 41, 7 April 1943, Page 2

Annual Meeting

■ N.Z. UNION OF TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD (Inc) LOWER HUTT BRANCH The following is an extract from Miss Viola Kettle's presidential address to the New Zealand Union of Townswomen's Guild (Inc):- — Our harvest of overseas letters has been 4 most gratifying, and it is indeed a joy to see in writing the very great pleasure we have sent forth from the home front. On© Flight Lieut, of the R.A.F. wrote saying: "It will surpise you no doubt that I, an Englishman, should get a parcel from your Guild, but I am a patient in No. 1 N.Z. Hospital and although I protested I was told that all patients are treated alike and that I must take the parcel, and how much 1 did appreciate it. As for the Dundee cake, the first I have had since I left England quite a long time ago, it made my tea, which "always tastes good in this hospital, seem really a nectar of the gods." A lieutenant from the R.N.V.11. wrote in keen appreciation of our parcel, and said: "1 can assure you that many of the lads in my squadron often bless the generosity of you good people back home. I am the only New Zealander in it, and every now and again parcels come for me which the English chaps never receive and the arrival of a parcel invariably means supper in my cabin fo-nigii I'." Fiuvn the Army came a letter .slating that the parcel received was just 100 per cent in iirstclass order, and the con tones marvel-; lulls: 4 'Words* cannot express the thrill derived from, opening and com-' paring the contents of our parceis. We go right back to childhood. Let not liiu fortunes of war dismay you, jor us .surely as the sun rises in the) J'iast and sets in the vVest, so shall the !>>'i Lisa Commonwealth of Na-j lions, through the Grace of God, and backed by ail its subjects, rise to build a worid such as has never before been seen." I Many letters of appreciation have] come from England for the hun-j dreds of beautiful garments sent by us, special mention having been j made of those handsome fur fabric i r coats so skilfully tailored by two of' our clever members. Our junior members, styled the 4< Bulpups" have received many letters from England thanking anu congratulating them on their won-; derful work for the children of Great Britain. A pleasing feature is that little children in England write to the "Bullpup" who "tifcv. made the garment received. These letters contain the experiences of the little writers during the Blitz on London and also give details as to how they are helping to win the war. The "Bullpups" intend to Unit special little gifts for the writers of these letters. As a reward for their! grand work since the war began the Bullpups were given some lovely mole coloured wool from which they knitted a victory rug for Britain's splendid leader, Winston Churchill. The rug was a work of art and wassent to Mr. Jordan to present to Mr Churchill and was accompanied by a' letter from the original baby of the " Bullpups"—"Dear sir, Will you please accept this victory rug which the 'Bullpups' have knitted for you to you warm. With our respectful love and admiration; Sign-( ed Bullpup Shirley Exley, aged •years." An ample reward came to; the Bullpups when a letter from Mrs. Churchill acknowledging j receipt of the rug and stating howf pleased the Prime Minister was, and; that he intended keeping it in his car and would always use it. Letters of appreciation have arriv-f ed from Lady Freyberg, and Matrons Chisholm and Brown. All expressv ed their great delight with our honiQ made jams, all of which reached its; destination in splendid condition.. The Matron-in-Chief has asked me to enrol the help of members foir the new No. 4 General Hospital in the Pacific. This hospital is badly in need of help, and the nurses, would be most grateful for pieces oij chintz or curtaining to help maki* their quarters homely. At the end of this my. fourth year* as your president, I again sincerely ihailk aii members for loyal cooperation, and as the years go on I have grown very proud of my spien- I did band of women, and i sincerely hope and trust that the time is not i far distant when we will join hands with the bells of victory ringing, and our hearts ringing with joy, with the knowledge that we have done our duty. ;