“ROSE DAY”

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9210, 2 December 1915, Page 3

“ROSE DAY”

Y.M.C.A- WAR FUND. The Young Men’s Christian Association acknowledges the following additional donations to its “Rose Day” fund: —■

The association also acknowledges a cheque for £SO from the St. John Ambulance Association, to bo expended on comforts for New* Zealand soldiers in trenches, hospitals, and convalescent homes. The action of the St. John Association is much appreciated in thus recognising tho value of the Y.M.C.A. as a reliable distributing agency. Tho notepaper arriving from Egypt is now headed “Young Men’s Christian Association and the Australian Branch Red Cross,” thus emphasising the cooperative character of the work in Northorn Egypt. A garden fete organised by Mrs Corry, Mayoress, is arranged for December Bth in Blenheim, the proceeds to be, devoted to the Y.M.C.A. war fund. Tho takings at tho Red Cross shop in tho same town will also bo devoted to the same purpose this week. The Wairarapa Rugby Union has contributed £2O to the fund to bo expended for tho relief of sick and wounded soldiers at tho front. Tho following extract from a letter written by a Wellington soldier will be read with interest:—“l will give you a description of my present surroundings, just to lot you soo how wc spend most of our evenings. Time, 8.15 p.m., Y.M.C.A. tent, tho tables aro filled with men to their utmost, some writing letters, others reading. Mrs Gates, ono of the finest old ladies I have met, is at tho piano, playing familiar hymns and old tunes that we all knew as kiddies, and occasionally she will sing, and she has a big, fine voice for her age, and then ‘Old Dad,’ as everybody is pleased to call him, is amongst the chaps, and knows all their names, and is a good old sport, and is ready to do anything in his power for any one of them. They, from their own personal funds, find anything required by the troops, and always they have the word of advice, which is a great thing for us, and I feel sure they have been instrumental in keeping a very large portion of;tho boys up to the mark, and have helped them m every way to keep clean and strong against the awful vices that aro so terribly prevalent here, so, old chap, we have a little refresher and- reminder of those far away. Hie fellows simply worship Mr and Mi*s Oates for their efforts to help tnem.

“All .the infantry and batteries are away down at Alexandria embarking, and only the Mounted Brigade remains in camp, and last night Mrs Oates had somo hot coffee for the hoys leaving camp, and some of us were hero giving her a hand, and tho poor old lady seemed so sorry as each one ran in to say good-bye, and tho poor old soul would wipe a few tears away, and, really, tho true-hearted devotion of them both was one of the finest revelations of kind and tender nature I have over witnessed, and I know you will appreciate tho efforts of those two old people. They came' out from Scotland, especially to carry on Y.M.C.A. work amongst tho New Zealand boys, as they have travelled throughout New Zealand, and they were very, devoted to the people,, and, as they say, they thought it would be a good way to return the hospitality they received while uhore, and I have no hesitation in saying that if the people in New Zealand knew of the individual work they are doing, mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers would thank both from the depths of their hearts. They deserve it.”

£ s. d. Mrs Look 0 10 0 CMiss Keir 0 2 0 Y.W-C.A. (additional) 19 16 0 “A.H.” 1 0 0 Mrs E. Mason 0 10 0 Wellington Woollen Company 5 5 0 Joosten and Murio 2 0 Veitck and Allan 5 b 0 Wairarapa Rugby Union ... 20 0 0