PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12434, 30 April 1926, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION

FLOWERS FOR SOLDIERS’ GRAVES (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Dear Sir, —The girls’ branch of the W.N.R. would like to express through your columns their keen appreciation of the magnificent response to their appeal for flowers for the soldier’s graves at Karori on Anzao Day. We feel this wonderful response was in no small sense due to the appeal you so kindly published and through the overtures of Mr G. L. Stewart, secretary of the Education Board. Tire gratifying results enabled us to successfully carry out our original plan to decorate every soldier’s grave, both in the soldiers’ plot and in the outlying and scattered portions of the cemetery. The somewhat big undertaking was made possible by the generous services of the Automobile Asso-, eiation, who conveyed one hundred helpers to the cemetery, the transport arrangements being carried out by Mr D. J. McGowan. Contributions of flowers were received from all over the district, and the companies of Girl Guides and Gill Guards eagerly volunteered for, the work of distribution. My committee feel that very special thanks are due to Mr -Harlen, sexton at Karori, and to Mrs Neilson, both of whom have spent many hours locating unmarked war graves and now with a complete record of all soldiers’ graves, includ ing those of South African veterans. My committee hope to undertake the permanent care of graves of all soldiers without relatives or friends. We again thank one and all for their spontaneous co-operation in our work, and desire to compliment teachers of Wellington on the fine spirit of patriotism loyally instilled into the children as evidenced by their response on Anzao Day. I am, etc., IC. RUSCOE. Hon. secretary W.N.R. Girls’ Branch.