XMAS PRESENTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13803, 1 October 1915, Page 4

XMAS PRESENTS.

. ■ , . ... FOB THE BOYS AT THE FRONT. Gisborne's consignment of Christmas presents to the local boys at the front will probably comprise seventy or eighty boxes. The scheme for the providing of a few luxuries for the Gisborne lads has "taken oii," and the receipt of this substantial shipment of Christmas cakes, puddings, and other luxuries will doubtless constitute an event during the rigors of the winter campaign at Gallippli. The proposal emanated from a suggestion, on the part of Mrs J. R._ Kirk t*<> forward a box' of things to the ]a^o Chaplain-Major Grant. Others expressed a desire to send a few. things also, and the proposal- gradually assumed the present proportions. Orders for calces, puddings, etc., are now pouring m, .and some of the bakeries are working at pressure to' turn out the- goods m time. The Defence Department, as mentioned m our last Issue, -has undertaken to forward "the cases free aboard the transports. Fully 400 orders for special tins have been booked by Miss Barnes, and as the goods are required to be m tomorrow, there will be a, busy few days ahead packing the ! boxes. Mrs Kirk expresses her warm appreciation of Miss Barnes' services m taking orders, and to Mr Albrccht for supplying the tins and pudding basins at cost price. The Gisbomc yiiecpfarmers' Co. has gratuitously offered to provide the boxes and carry out the packing and shipping. Telegraphic advice from tho Defence Department recommends that boxes of similar size to benzine cases are most suitable, thus enabling the goods to be packed on mules to the trenches without unpacking at the base. Amongst the generous donations that have been received aro offers of confectionery from Mr Jowers, 30 or 40 41b cakes from' the master and operative bakers of -the, town, ami various monetary donations, including ono from the Fire Brigade. Up to the present there is about £14 to. spend m Christmas luxuries, and about £20 on condensed milk. As. the whole of this has been offered spontaneously, without any attempt at X'-iUvassing, the hearty responso is greatly appreciates. Most 'of the gifts have been donated for distribution amongst the v Poverty Bay boys, and one consignment will bo addressed to the Poverty Bay infantry section, another to the mounted, and a third to tho Maori boys. There will also bo several boxes 'containing parcels for individual units. The latter will be unpacked 'at/ the. Defence Department's depot, and sorted out with the consign ment that is going forward from ]Nfcw Zealand. Tho Department, it will b« noted, does not undertake- to deliver to each one, 'but 'will endeavor to do the best. * Sendees of parcels are requested lv : forward same to the Women's Club, Adah's building, by to-morrow, attach ing their name and address to each package. Arrangements 'have been made by th,fe ladies, to insert a special postcard, requesting tho' boys on receipt of the parcels to forward aii acknowledgment of same to tho address given . Mrs Anderson, who Has volunteered her assistance., will be m attendance with Mrs , Kirk at the chili-rooms to-morrow tc receive parcels. I .