Notes and Comments

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 266, 10 November 1945, Page 4

Notes and Comments

Palmerston North U.S.A.’s “father Christmas” is busy right now despatching letters to all the children under 12 years of age of branch members, finding out what they want for Christmas. The distribution of toys to the younger children of members on Christmas Day by ‘ ‘ Father Christmas ’ ’ has been an annual event for nearly 20 years now, and while providing considerable joy for the children, it also provides a lot of fun for those who help

‘ 4 Father Christmas ’ ’ in his work. Secretary W. G. Rutherfurd is a busy man just now.

The Manawatu Branch of the N.Z. Homeservicemen’s Association (Inc.) is holding its annual re-union in the Orange Hall, Lombard Street, on Wednesday, November 21, at 8 p.m. An excellent programme has been arranged, and guests will include the Dominion president and secretary of the association: Messrs Hodgens and Oram; M.’sP, His Worship the Mayor, and Capt. K. G. Chmberiain. The association looks forward to a bumper attendance, both of its own members and members of tho Armed Forces, who are cordially invited. A deputation from tho Palmerston North R.S.A. will wait on the Palmerston North City Council at its next ordinary meeting on Monday, November 19, in connection with a request for obtaining administrative control over one of tho council’s partially developed reserves.

Manawatu branch of the N.Z.R.S.A. has three sub-branches, and the following membership analysis will be of interest: —Foxton sub-branch: Female 0, male 39, total 39; Pahiatua: Female 3, male 49, total 52; Woodville: Female 2, male 30, total 32. Total sub-branch membership: Female 5, male 118, total 123. Main branch roll: Female 40, male 400, total 440. Effective membership: Female 45, male 518, total 563. The current cigarette shortage is being seriously felt by the Palmerston North R.S.A. Each week the secretary (Mr. W. G. Rutherfurd) visits the Palmerston North Public Hospital and makes a distribution of cigarettes to the servicemen or members there, the number of patients visited averaging 20 a week. The club has never received an allocation of “smokes” lor this purpose, and it is a service which the club is being hard-pressed to maintain. It’s a grim war, dig, when you’ve got to go begging to get a packet of cigarettes for the bloke back from overseas, who is unfortunate enough still to be in hospital. The Patriotic issue has been stopped, we’re told. The Manawatu branch N.Z.H.S.A. intends to hold a children’s party for members’ children, early in the school holidays. Tho gathering will take the form of a picture afternoon, or evening with a “free issue” of ice cream and sweets! The date will be published in • ‘ Forum ’ ’ later.