NOTES FOR WOMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9623, 31 March 1917, Page 5

NOTES FOR WOMEN

COUNTESS OF LIVERPOOL FUND. ANNUAL MEETING. Tho second annual meeting of the Mayoress’s Countess of - Liverpool Fund was held last night in the Mayor’s room at the Town Hall. Mrs J. P. Luke presided, and after the annual report and balance-sheet had been read by the secretary and treasurer, she moved their adoption. In speaking Mrs Luke said she would like to congratulate the members on the fact that so much work has been done lor our brave lads during the past year. Although tho war had lasted a long time, the men of Novi Zealand wore not tired, and our women also had not tired in doing their sharo of the work. The Liverpool Fund today is stronger in i l s capacity for wort; than at any time since the war began. The committee has had much experience of the needs of tho soldiers, they know what has to be done, and are able to do it well and economically. It has given great pleasure to find that no one has given up their responsibilities though the work is often trying, and also that the public recognises the value of the Liverpool Fund, and puts its goodwill into the tangible form of gifts of comforts, which are sent regularly to tho front. The speaker acknowledged tho generous support given to the fund during tho long period of its existence, and expressed thanks to the committee and workers, hot only those who attend at the Town Hall, but also those who do work in their own homes, and especially the schools, who regularly make up handkerchiefs and face cloths. The City Council continues to allow the fund workers the use of the Town Hall and the custodian and his assistants have always helped readily in any ”1116 sports bodies wero also thanked for coming to the assistance of tho Liverpool Fund in the matter of parcels, making it possible to send more than the required proportion from. Wellington, and the Citizens’ Service League for help in packing and other ways. Lastly, Mrs Luke thanked the press for splendid assistance in keeping before the public the fund's appeals and thanks. ‘‘Though in tho third year of our work.” said Mrs Luke in conclusion, “our energy as not flagging, for we are sure that the work has great value in keeping the soldiers of New Zealand in good heart with the regular'reminder, through the medium of the monthly gifts, that we who remain at home are constantly thinking of them, and trying to do our share in the great task. If we have any difficulties or discouragements, our minds turn to the gallant men who are suffering so much for our sakes. Then our own troubles seem small indeed, ' and we feel it a great privilege to be able to take part in the work of the Liverpool Fund.” Mrs Townsend seconded the adoption of the report, and said how pleased they all were to do the werk, and hoped t 0 be able to continue it until tho war ended. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mrs J. P. Luke was re-elected president of the fund, Mrs A. Crawford and Mrs I M. Myers joint secretaries, and Mrs J. Findlay treasurer. The standing committee was re-electedi Votes of thanks wero passed to Mrs M. Myers for assisting since January with the secretarial work; to Mr Sclanders for auditing tho accounts free of charge, and to the Mayoress (Airs J. P. Luke) for her continuous good work for the fund. . , Apologies for absence were received from Mrs W. Nathan and Mrs Tripp.

LETTER PROM “AOTEA” HOME. < Tho following interesting letter from tho matron of tho f ‘Aotoa” Home has been received by one of tho members of the committee of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and Red Cross Society, Star Boating Club building:— “Some time ago my brother wrote me that through your interest in this home the Red Cross were sending us a case of 'comforts' in tho way of eatables. “They were a good while in coming to hand. Transport is difficult in Egypt now that there are no troopships from New Zealand to this part of the world—the mounted reinforcements come via Australia or by passenger boats. However, the case came along in very good condition, and everything in it was most acceptable and very useful. Many a boy up 'on leave’ from the Brigade for a few days I have taken into our storeroom and given himvsome of the ‘comforts’ sent in that case. The boys cut at the brigade cook for themselves in little parties of four; and they are always glad of something 'extra.’ The chief difficulty is in getting anything out to them,\so when any of them come up on leave or duty we always try and send something back with them, but ns they have to carry all they take back with them over miles of heavy desert you can imagine they cannot takij very heavy loads- “ The cocoa sent in tho cose was very acceptable, as we cannot procure good cocoa in Cairo, and we always give. the hoys cocoa for their 8.30 p.m. supper. .' . 'Aotoa' is more or less like a big home, where wo can always take ‘one more.’ Any of the patients always feel free to have their soldier friends to a meal or stay the night. Of course as tho 'brigade' is so far away from Cairo there are never very many up here at a time unless they are sick. Wo started with 65 patients, but rur numbers have now increased to 120 fnd 125. We have had to overflow into tents.

"The folk in New Zealand seem to have an idea that the New Zealand boys in Egypt are more or less having a picnic here. If they only knew of tile awful discomforts of the desert, and of the daily continual hardships the mounted men have to endure! Also thev know what fighting is, though tho papers just speak of them as 'scraps.-" There is not the same awful continual slaughter in Egypt as there is in France, but still the work the mounted men are doing here seems to be a necessity, so they make the best of their disappointment in being left here. AVo are very proud of our New Zealand men. They are jns{ splendid, and every mother in New Zealand can be proud/ of her boy. Of course since the splendid work our own New Zealand mounted men did at Eafa wo are all more than ever delighted with them.

“Since tho last fight the New Zealand Mounted Brigade has been ‘resting* for a week or two, and numbers of boys have come to Cairo on leave. They are looking so well and fit. The colder weather and the fact that they have been able to get a little more water both for men and horses has improved things considerably. The nights are very cold, bfit the days are beautiful. In a’month or two the fearful heat will be all back again, but the men hare bad a chance to get fit during the winter. They oil come up to see ns at ‘Aotea,’ and we are so proud to see them come in—they look ■■Vich. splendid specimens of manhood. Anyone in Egypt can always tell a New l.ealander.”