RED CROSS WORK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16916, 31 January 1917, Page 5

RED CROSS WORK

The> Rod Cross -work is now in full swing at tliQ rooms, and thero aro hundreds of garments ready to bo made up for tbo wounded soldiers. The executive will be> delighted to wolcomo any ladies who aro willing to help with the sowing. As thero aro so many different sorts of work to bo done, tho committoo could find something to suit everybody. Tho Packing Committeo has boon very busy during tho holidays, unci all tho goods on hand have boon packed and forwarded to England. This committoo is now 6o well organised that all tho goods m tho Rod Cross rooms aro packed weekly and forwarded to the Defence Department for shipment by transport. Tho guild will meet as usual on Wednesday evening from 7 to 9.30. All ladies willing to assist will bo welcome. Tho following aro thanked for donations:—Mrs Inglis, salo of tablewver £12 10s; per Ofcago Daily Times, h& 14s 9d; Tapanui Red Cross, £35 9s 6d; Moly Dunlop and May Miller, £1 12s 6d; Heel Cross, Otago and Southland, two motor ambulances, £2340 17s 3d; Mrs M. D. P., «vJi- Stuart Holmes, 2 balaclavas; Miss Williams, 2 balaclavas; goods from Naseby, Gore, Waikoikoi, North-East Valley

ST. CLAIR AND OAVERSHAM BRANCH. Work at this branch hns boon resumed on Friday afternoons in St. Peter's Hall, lno committee will welcome all who can assist m this necessary work, and asks for contributions of old linen and blankets. THE LATE LIEUT. MONSON. Letters haro been received recently by the relatives uf tho lato Lieutenant Harold Monson, whioii speak in tho highest terms of this young Duuedinitc. In a letter from ■Brigadier-gonei-al Bra:thwaite to Lieutenant Monson a lather, Mr F. J. Monson, there is liiffh testimony to tho gallantry and sterling qualities of tho young soldier. Brigadier-' general Braithwa-.tc, who is in command of the 2nd New Zealand Brigade, writes as follows:—"I want to toll you how deeply gnpved I was when your gallant son was lulled m action. Ho was a special favourite ot mine, on account of his sterling qual.tics 110 was tho best trainer in bayonet lighting and physical training that wo had in the brigade, and when there was any special work to bo dono in that line I always sent lor him. Nothing was too great a trouble to him. The pages of history do not contain rt. 9,1 "£"** fc u an thafc of the lighting of tho 2nd Canterbury Battalion during those &> consecutive days oh tho Somme, and their bayonet, work was what enabled them to turn tho Germans out four times, and at length hold tho position. This was to a groat oxtent tho result of your son's work J. am well awaro that no words of mine can bo of any comfort to you or your lamily in your sorrow, but I trust that as time goes on, the memory of his glorious lite and death as a soldier may bo a proud memory to you He i 3 a very great loss to my brigade, and to his own battalion hi par Lioutonant-colonol Stewart, commanding the 2nd Battalion C.1.R., has also written to Mr l< J. Monson, and, speaking of Lieutenant Monson s death, says: "We have iust come out of tho firing line, and I take the iirst opportunity of writing to you to sav how deeply I sympathise with you in your , YaUr , *°* wa ? kille .d during a night attack made by the battalion, and died instantaneously, and without pain. He was one of our best officers, most capable and reliable, and well liked by both officers and men Wo all feel his loss, .and will Z member him affectionately."

FAMILY DOING ITS DUTY. During his recent visit home from l'catlierston Uaiup, Trooper Bruce Miller iMaungatua, was the recipient of an illuminated wristlet watch. A largo gatherni" of residents met in the "Braemoie" woofsned and atter a pleasant evening had been spent, Mr ihos. Koenan made the presentation, and wjshed the recipient a successful juorney, and a safe return from Berlin Irooper Miller suitably responded, thanking his friends for their good wishes and kindness, and stating that their memento would servo to remind him of homo when ptner scenes and other occupations claimed his attention.

An elder brother, Trooper Forrest Miller , has been away with the New Zealand forces tor over two years, having served in Egypt and Galhpoh. During the severe fightin" in the latter place, he was severely wounded" and invalided to England. After recover! ing from his wounds ho was transferred to the New Zealand Artillery, and is now serving somewhere in Franco" Ihe eldest brother is Captain- Jas. A. Miller, the .present captain of the Otago Hussars who enlisted in tho Main Body ? lL % n Slnn,n g ° fth ? war " A se voro illness, followed by a serious operation, prevented him getting aw&y. /After reeoverv ne again offered Ins services, but failed to pass tho medical test. He has again enlisted, as well as being drawn in the ballot but the result of his medical examination is not yet known.

The three men are sons of Mr and Mrs James Miller, "Braemore," Maungatua, who are naturally proud of tho part their boys are taking in the defence of their