APPRECIATION FROM GLOUCESTER

Putaruru Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 1362, 19 January 1950, Page 6

APPRECIATION FROM GLOUCESTER

FOOD PARCELS ACKNOWLEDGED Twelve Letters Received Twelve letters of appreciation were recently received by the Futaruru R.S.A. from recipients of food parcels under the association's “Parcels for Gloucester” scheme. All expressed gratitude for the articles of food which provide variety to the monotony of food obtainable in England to-day. Excerpts from letters fully prove the necessity and value of the project for which donations are always acceptable, said Mr P. D. Morrison at a recent meeting of the branch. From D. K. Bateman: “It is with gratefulness I acknowledge receipt of a lovely food parcel dispatched by your association in June. It arrived in good condition and has made a welcome and added variety to our food. My wife and myself, and no doubt all my comrades, are really touched by the thoughtfulness of you people who, though so far away, have our welfare at heart. God bless you all.” He continued to remark that the "Weekly News” included as packing had taught him more of New Zealand than he had ever learnt at school. C. H. Biggs remarked that as always the parcel contained just the very things needed and thanked the association for its generous gift. From Richard Sewell came a note which justifies the scheme. He wrote: "All tinned meats here are on ‘points,’ and you will understand how much your gift means to me when I tell you that to buy a tin of tongue takes all one person’s points for two months. I wish that it might have been possible to receive parcels like the one I’ve just had when I was in a Japanese prison camp.” Another ex-prisoner of war, R. G. Smith, desired the gratitude of his family to be extended to the members and women’s section. He was a prisoner of war in Stalag 383, Hohenfels, Bavaria, and was secretary of the Welsh P.O.W.’s Rugby team which played against New Zealanders. He still possesses the shield which the New Zealand foot-, bailers gave to the Welsh players who were in camp with them. Robert Day wrote expressing the grateful thanks of his wife and himself, stating that the parcel had been shared with his paredfe, who also thought it was wonderful that people so far away, as in New Zealand, considered the welfare of others less fortunate. Housing was still a problem, the writer having just moved into a new council house after waiting for three years. Sentiments which will find favour were: “Things are looking brighter over here. Soon we hope Britain will be on her feet good and proper again and show the world what she is really made of, and take her place as a leader along with our families down under.”

A letter addressed to “the kindhearted people of Putaruru, New Zealand,” was received from H. Draper, who wrote that he opened his parcel with all the excitement of a young boy. The large tin of dripping was especially appreciated, and apparently the recipient resides with his parents who will share the parcel. He said he had the good fortune to watch an excellent game between his county and the New Zealand cricket team. A note of sadness was registered in the letter from A. M. Knight, who apologised for his delay in acknowledging a parcel, explaining that he had been very ill and would soon be admitted to a sanatorium for six months’ treatment. Messrs Martin Geary, N. D. Rossi ter, W. J. T. Russell and Miss F. Webb each stressed their gratitude to the people of Putaruru and appreciation of their generous gestures. Indirect tribute was paid to the women’s section of the R.S.A. when all letters of acknowledgement praised the excellent condition in which the parcels arrived.