THE COMFORT SHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20898, 13 June 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE COMFORT SHIP.

LAUNCHING OF CAMPAIGN. With I lie arrival of (lie first consignment, of parcels for the Comfort Ship, ami the first donations toward our Winter Comforts Fund, our 1931 campaign is now launched ami well under way. As our first list totals over £5, I am hopeful of getting ,110 3:50 1,1111 is ollr o,) i eullve : for every day I hear of fresh cases of poverty' and need. When I called at the St. John Ambulance rooms to look at the parcels, nurse told me of two cases she had visited onlv that morning. One was the most pathetic f think I have ever come across. In a little hack street of the city there is a poor young mother dying of consumption She has four children, the eldest only six years old, the baby a few months. The husband gets relief work occasionally, and is having to pay a girl to come and do the housework and look aflei the mother, who is confined to bed much ol the time. She is very bright and cheery, however, and savs to Nurse every time she rails, " I really do think I am better today. don't you. Nurse ?" Of course Nurse does all she can to cheer the poor little mol.'ur. and is looking forward to taking a nice parcel of clothes from the Comfort Ship for the children next time she calls. It may bo only a very short time before they are motherless. , Another case is that of an old coup e living on the old-age pension. Jhe wile is suffering from an incurable disease, ami the poor old man is trying to keep the home going on their slender income Without the kindly assistance of the District Nurse they would have to apply for charitable aid, and that alternative is a very hard one lo people who have lived honest, independent lives, giving to the need of others rather than seeking it for themselves. Need for Heavy Cargoes. Well those are just two cases out of many, which will serve to show you how urgent is tho need for our Comfort Ship to set sail each week with heavy ciitgo. I hope that next week there will he many more parcels of good, warm clothes, for the bitter cold that has prevailed this week has added much to the misery of those under the shadow of poverty and sickness. I would like, all our girls and boys to read the article on the front page of "our Supplement to-day, "J he New Poor." It will perhaps help |° bring home to readers clearly the dire need there is in Auckland to-day. 1 think you would like to read a very breezy note that made me laugh this week," " Dear Miss Morton,—Rest of good wishes. Sorrv this is so small, but I'm practically ' sloney.' I hope to send a bit more next month. I wonder if you d give yourself and Sister Esther three big cheers from me?— Goggles." Of course J immediately stood up and hip-i.iyed three times, but the cheers were just for Sister and the girls and boys of our Brigade. Many thanks, Goggles! The closing date for entries for Nurse Saunders Jones' competition has been extended to June 30. A cash prize of ten shillings will be donated by Nurse Saunders Jones for the best set of baby's garments, not less than three pieces, knitted or crochet. Five shillings, best warm dress, length 24 indies to 27 inches, to fit a little gill. Five shillings, prettiest warm cot-cover, any suitable material. Closing date for entries, June 30. This contest is open to all girl readers of Girls and Hoys. Nurse asked me to mention that several parcels of old linen had been received during the week, for which she was very grateful. Old linen is always needed, so parcels may be sent in any time. COMFORT SHIP PARCELS FROM: Mrs. Fleming, Grafton Road; Aunts Emilv and Mill (two parcels): Sidney Box,"Wharepoa (age 1); M.l' .. Jini. \\ aikiekie; 11. M. Roe, Morrinsville; E.E.K., Reinuera; E. Ncal, Tauranga; two parcels, no name. WINTER COMFORTS FUND. , The first list of donations is as follows: £ s. d. Aunts Una and Elise (first donation received) . . ..100 The Driver Bovs and Girls, Glevcdon 0 10 0 Mrs. Edw. Morton . - . . 010 0 " Wishing you Success" . . 0 10 0 Mrs. B. C. New 0 10 0 Alice A. Kenny . • • • 010 0 A Friend of the Brigade (two donations) 0 10 0 MA. 0 5 0 Auntie Ethel . . . . •• 0 2 Goggles (with three cheers) ..050 Helen M. Roe, Cliff and Zoe, Aimt. Jeannie. and Sheila Ouinn, each 2s 6d . . . . 010 0 £5 5 0 All parcels to be addressed " Herald Comfort Ship," St. John Ambulance, Rutland Street, Auckland. ( ash donations should be forwarded to Miss Elsie K. Morton, N.Z. Herald, Auckland, marked " Winter Comforts Fund."