A TREAT FOR POOR CHILDREN

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1931, Page 7

A TREAT FOR POOR CHILDREN

GATHERING IN PUKEKURA PARK. PARCELS FOR 250 FAMILIES. Thanks to the efforts of the commercial travellers, between 300 and 400 children between the'ages of 5 and 14 whose parents are not in good circumstances assembled in Pukekura Park in fine weather on Saturday and were treated to some Christmas cheer. They spent a most enjoyable time boating on the lake, racing, scrambling for sweets, eating a very liberal afternoon tea, and in playing games under the direction of the Rev. R. B. Gosnell and the Rev. Father Henley. Scrambles and the races were held on the racecourse, while other scrarnbles, specially for the smaller children, were conducted near the park lake.

The outing wag supervised by the New Plymouth Relief Association, comprising Mr. P. E. Stainton (chairman), Father Henley, the Rev.< R. B. Gosnell, Adjutant McKenzie, Sisters Gill and Gorkin and Nurse Peterson. These were assisted by a ladies’ committee, and the following commercial travellers, to whom special thanks were due: Messrs. J. R. Seeats, A.' Dunkley, R. Eaton, C. Grainger, V.' Simpson, Beswick and James. Those responsible acknowledge o-enerous o-ifts of cordials from Taranaki Breweries, Ltd., Pike and Waters, C. O. Steffensen and Sykes and Sons. ■ . Owino- to the considerable expense involved it was decided not to have a Christmas tree this year. Instead the money thus saved will be used to provide Christmas parcels for indigent families. These will be distributed by members of the Relief Association, and it is anticipated that about 250 families will receive parcels as a result of the commercial travellers’ efforts.