OUR SAILORS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11755, 20 July 1916, Page 5

OUR SAILORS.

AN APPEAL FOR COMFORTS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Will you allow me, through the columns of your journal, to make ray annual appeal for Christmas comforts for our seamen? It has been the practice of the .British and Foreign Sailors' Society to endeavour to suopl.v each seaman m the neighbourhood of Lyttelton with a small Christmas gift. This takes the fbrm of a " Comfort Bag," each bag containing a writing pad, envelopes, a packet of chocolate, a 'pair of socks, a shaving stick, a reel of blkck thread, a reel of white, thread and a good reading book, the bag containing these articles being made of cretonne twelve inches wide and' fourteen. inches long. Experience has proved how deeply the men appreciate a, gift of this description. It is necessary to organise months ahead so that a successful effort may eventuate. Iu addition to the seamen on H.M.S. Psyche, Pyramus and Philomel, it is necessary to be prepared for all the merchant seamen who may be hereabouts at Christmas. There must be many of your readers who would like to take part in this effort, and anyone caring to help bv making any or all of the articles enumerated, and kindly sending them to me at Lyttelton or to the office of Mr R. S. Badger, 187. Manchester Street, not. later than the end of 'August, will bo giving very practical assistance. When it is remembered what we owe to our seamen, both of the Royal Navy and mercantile marine at the present juncture, it will be felt that a tiny effort. such as we have inaugurated will, at least, make them feel that they are kindly remembered' at Chnstmastide.— I am, etc., S. BOOTH, , Superintendent.