WAR FUNDS ASSOCIATION

Southland Times, Issue 17777, 1 October 1917, Page 5

WAR FUNDS ASSOCIATION

N.Z. DOMINION GIFT PARCELS. The following donations and work done have been received at the Central Depot, N.Z. Clothing Factory buildings, during the mouth of September:— Parcels Donated —From Winton 100, Kenninprton SO, Bluff 40, Mataura 36, Waianiwa 24 and two transport parcels, Wallacetown 22, Waimatuku 12. Goods and Cash Donated —Edendale Red Cross, 18 mittens; Invercargill Red Cross, 2 writing pads; Invercargill Branch W.FA., 13 tins milk, 9 coffee, 2 sardines, 1 cheese, 60 cigarettes, 2 tobacco; Mrs Gilchrist (Don street), 4 jam, 1 coffee; G. W. Woods, 12 petrol boxes; McGruer, Taylor, 1 transport box; Fernhills School, £1 10s; Miss Peggy Jenkins, 2/6; Miss Ethel Stevenson, 2/6; Miss C. Cox, 5/-; Mr Faulkner, 2/6; Isla Bank (per Miss Duke), £3 7s 6d; Miss Longuet, 5/-; Tuatapere Red Cross, £ls; Kauana District (per W. A. Cox), £7 11s 6d; Mrs Blackstock, 2/6; Miss Stables, 2/6; Mrs A. S. Browne, 2/6; Mrs Acton, 2/6; Miss Brcbner, 2/6; Mrs Smellie, 7/6; Mrs J. S. Henderson, 2/6”; Mrs Jno. MacaUstier, 2/6. Goods made up—lnvercargill Branch, 182 pairs sox, 19 helmets, 3 scarves, 367 handkerchiefs, 120 No. 1 bags, 251 No.' 2 bags, 37 No. 3 bags, 102 soap bags,” 140 tea cloths, 12 housewives: Technical.,School,,B4 housewives; Mias Meek (Fairfax),. 8. pairs socks; Mrs Wilson (Lower Waianiwa), 22 pairs socks; Otatara Branch (per Mrs Harker and Miss Ackers), 15 pairs socks, 191 tea cloths; Convent, 100 handkerchiefs; Mrs Brass (Avenal), 15 pairs socks, 20 No. 2 bags; Mrs White (Grasmere), 5 pairs socks; Miss McKay (Conon street), 100 handkerchiefs; Mrs Stirling (Waimahaka), 11 pairs socks; Birchwood Branch, 6 pairs socks.. Southland’s full quota of 839 Dominion Gift Parcels and 100 Transport Parcels were despatched during the. month. The bulk of the goods sent were woollen articles, tobacco, and milk, as recommended by the General Officer Commanding N.Z. Division at the front, and the remainder of articles mostly those manufactured in New Zealand. The duty being remitted on tobacco and cigarettes allows a good supply of the tobacco the men are used to being sent at a small cost. Parcels are now still made up and sent to soldiers. in Mesopotamia. ’

The next packings at. the Central Depot will take place on Tuesday, the 16th, and Thursday, the 18th lost.

LETTERS OF APPRECIATION. June 12th, 1917. Dear Mrs Hain, —I have much pleasure in writing these few lines to you to thank you for the nice parcel and letter which I received to-day. All the boys received one each and I am the lucky one to get your parcels. We have just been into action for a few days. I suppose by now you have read about us taking Massines. It was a lovely attack and such a splendid victory for us, and a big loss to the Huns, as their dead were lying everywhere, and the position was very valuable,' it being on top .of a hill. There is no doubt about the New Zealanders. They are making a splendid name for themselves here. Now you want to know what to send. Well do not send so many socks, as we get clean ones issued to us very often. A few lollies and chocolate are always welcomed, also a handkerchief. Anything eatable is what the boys like, such as paste for the bread or tinned fish or mQk, anything like that. From Pte. George Thorrington. The following letters were handed in to the Gift Parcels Depot by the mother of the brothers who wrote them, and who were since killed: — France, 10/5/17. —I received a parcel from the Otago and Southland Women’s Patriotic Association a few days ago and it was in perfect order. Belgium, 5/3/17.—We have been getting a few gift parcels from New Zealand lately. We got one to-day with a plum pudding in it. So the three of us had it for dinner to-day. i France, May 6th, 1917. Dear Mrs —l —, —No doubt you will be a little surprised receiving a letter from a person who is an utter stranger, in one sense, yet in another, a friend. So right away I must explain matters. . Lately we have been receiving some N.Z. gift parcels, so kindly sent by the ladies of Otago and Southland, and in the .one. 1 received I found enclosed a small card oh which was your address. I thought the least I could do was to write you a few hues acknowledging your gift to us . soldier boys pyt here in France. Some of our boys do not write as often as they should in return, thanking those ladies who have been so kind and thoughtful in sending, out things from time to time. At times I suppose you very often wonder whether these gifts ever reach us, and I am very thankful to be able to tell you they arrived in good condition, and that your worthy efforts are appreciated by “our boys” out here in France. I notice your address is East Invercargill. I know the town very well indeed, and worked at MrJ. A. Nisbefs coach and motor factory for about four years prior to coming away to the war, but most of the time I boarded down South Invercargill. Again thanking you personally, and also the Otago and Southland Women’s Patriotic Association for their kindness and thoughtfulness from time to time.—Believe me to be, Your sincere soldier friend, 5/122 Oliver S. Evans.