HELP IN DARK DAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25215, 30 May 1945, Page 4

HELP IN DARK DAYS

GRATITUDE IN ENGLAND A deeply appreciative letter, sent on V-E Day by the Dowager Marchioness of Heading, chairman of the Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence, London, lias been received by the Auckland Women's War Service Auxiliary, which, since early in 1941, has sent a constant stream of gifts in money and kind for distribution in England. "Out of the many afflictions and anxieties which have beset us during these dreadful years there has emerged j one happy truth," says the writer. "We ' now have the sure knowledge that, howover wide the seas may lie between and however wide the differences which must j (and, indeed, between all free and virile peoples should) arise, our lives are joined one to the other for all time. "In these days of rejoicing we pause to remember many things; the battle in the Far East, the heart that can no longer rejoice, a continent ravaged and poverty-stricken, our own homes laid low. But above all these things do we remember the deep kindness we have received from you overseas, a kindness which, from its psychological as well as its practical aspect has been as valuable to us as a million bombers. For all the clothing, money and food- you have sent us, and, above all, for your faith and encouragement in our darkest flays, we can never thank you enough, and we can only pray that in the coming years we may continue together in the most complete understanding the building of a new world." ST. HELIERS RED CROSS At the sixth annual meeting of the St. Heliers sub-centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society it was reported that the comforts committee had been very active during,the year. Sewing anJ knitting had been carried out for distressed civilians overseas and prisoners of war, and clothing had been sent to Greece. A report on the work of the Voluntary Aid Detachment was given by the commandant, Mrs R. W. Thompson, who stated that members had valuable service among the sick in the district. The following officers were elected:—President, Miss K. Wilson: vice-president, Mrs L. (Janiipell; secretary and treasurer, Miss M. t'olc; and a committee. PATRIOTIC EFFORT At a meeting of the Mount Eden Ladies' Patriotic Committee held this week, the third annual report of the .Balmoral patriotic shop was presented. This shop, which has been open daily for the past three years, lias subscribed over £2500 to patriotic funds. It also supports the gift fund for servicemen of the district who are leaving or returning from overseas, and much credit is due to those who run it. The election of officers resulted in the return of Mrs.J. J. Mulvihill, as convener, and Mrs E. J. Rogers, as treasurer, for the fourth year in succession. ENGAGEMENTS I Bennett —Finlay.—Mr and Mrs H. G. Bennett, ot Manunui, announce the engagement of their daughter, Dorothy Merle, to Wil--1 linm John, only son of 'Mr and Mrs W. T. J. Finlay, Auckland. , Edwards— Unwin.—The engagement is an- • nouueed between Private Trevor Lloyd, fourth 1 . son of Mr and Mrs L. J. Edwards, Te Awa--1 mutu, and Elsie Bertha, younger daughter ) of Mrs Unwin and the late Mr G. Unwin. Mackle —Morman. —The engagement is announced between Warrant-Officer Donald James Mackie, second son of Mr and Mrs C. J. Mackie. Whitehall, Cambridge, and Dorothy Margaret, elder daughter of Mrs J. Morman and the late Mr T. Morman, Glen Eden. MoVelgh—Scelly.—Mr and Mrs C. Scelly, of Hinuera. announce the engagement of their second daughter, Liane Mary, to Maurice Desmond, youngest son of the late Mr and r Mrs C. E. McVeigh, of Dunedin. I McVlcar —Reynolds.—The engagement is " announced between Warrant-Officer John Mcs Vicar, R.N.Z.A.F., son of the late Mr and i Mrs J. A. McVicar. West Coast, South Island, i and Xoreen Joy, only daughter of Mr and Mrs W. E. Reynolds, Pukeatua. Midwood —Warrender.—Sergeant and Mrs - C. R. Midwood, of Paeroa, announce the ene gagement of their eldest daughter, Lola s Sylvia, to Thomas Walter, R.N.Z.A.F., fourth j. son of Mr and Mrs F. H. Warrender. Waitoki. To Aroha.