LADY LIVERPOOL FUND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12285, 6 April 1918, Page 13

LADY LIVERPOOL FUND.

DEPOT NOTES.

The Central Depot has been working most assiduously during; tho last month to ensure a continuous supply of “ buoksheo " (gift) parcels for the fighting, force of Now Zealand. Tho parcels not only supply a refreshing welcome supplement to tho army rations, they spell Homo to our own Now Zealand lads. There is no gainsaying the fact that like tho bird in the hand, the Now Zealand parcel up in the trenches is worth two—-and more—-of anything of problematical purchase in tho deserted French villages or wastes of Palestine. The men’s letters are the best answer fts |to the need of further support for the- above fund. .The oftknr in command of the gift section, Major Green, writing on January 30,1918, acknowledging the arrival of 216 cases from the Canterbury, West land, Marlborough area, inter alia, says:— “ In thanking you and your society for sending these parcels along, I might mention that they are appreciated moro than ever now that food is so scarce agd goods of equal quality arc only procurable here at exorbitant prices, and then only in very small quantities.” ’ Another lad from Mesopotamia says, after thanking tho society for his parcel “It is now two years since I loft ‘ God’s Own,’ and many a time since then I have offered up fervent thanks to the good ladies of New Zealand (Christchurch particularly) for their splendid parcels, which, figuratoly sneaking, have more than once saved my life.” Wo could fill the paper with such letters. The inilitaire are not infallible, hut judging by the voluminous quantity or acknowledgments the public can have no misgivings as to tho organisation for the distribution of parcels when they reach the front. , PRISONERS OP WAR.. In this department there is also much encouragement to “Carry on.” From Turkey and Germany there are evidences of the parcels sent through our organisation reaching the prisoners. From Alien Kara Hissar, Turkey, Reg. Davie (a prisoner of war), writes;— “ I have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of four very fine parcels sont by your society. _ Very many thanks for the same, which were very suitable to circumstances. —Yours, gratefully.” Thousands of personal letters come from the brave lads themselves, and in tho face of such appreciation we. confidently ask our branches, schools and the public generally for a continuous support of funds and gifts to enable us to, carry on while the war lasts. New Zealand has the stuff tho hoys want, and a real right good gift parcel is the best “ buck up " a soldier can have. iFortiinately Where is no discrimination in the distribution; it is general, andidie“lonely soldier” comes in for a remembrance which is moro tangible than just “good wishes 1” ■The men in Mesopotamia write of the regular arrival of parcels. One from Bagdad, dated" January _ 12, 1918, writes, addressing the president of tho iLady Fund:— “Dear Madam,—l pen these few lines in deep appreciation to you and youy committee for the glojirioos Christmas gift parcel, which j received from you. I tender to you lall my heartfelt gratitude for your" ikindneSs not only to myself, but to the rest of our little band. f Loud were Ithe acclamations of delight from one and all, * w'ben on opening our respective parcels and finding the most useful contents therein. The contents being “just the thing’ for this climate. “ Tnanking you once more for tho many comforts we receive from the'* 'hands of snd vigorous committee. “ Yours most .gratefully. Sir Thomas Mackenzie writes from London, February 9, 1918, stating he has had a communication from Sergeant W. T. Turton, conveying his appreciation. of provisions sent by oiir committee to him as a prisoner of war in Germany. Mr T. E. Donne, secretary to the Prisoners of War Department, on January 25, writes as follows: “ Dear Madam,—l am requested to forward to you an extract from a 'Letter,’dated November 30 last, written by Rifleman Joseph Mercer, a prisoner of war at Friedrichsfeld, in Germainy, to tho High Commissioner, in which a special message of thanks is conveyed to the members of your committee. “ ‘I wish to say how grateful I am to New Zealand people and to ypu. I would particularly like to thank the Lady Liverpool Committee in Christchurch, New Zealand, for the parcel " they have sent. lam well.’ ” The expenses of the society have increased proportionately as the coisfc of living increases, and though our primary objective is to help our men cm the battlefields, it is also satisfactory to know most of tho funds are expended •in our own district. We require at least £3OO monthly for tinned tongues alone (one item contained in tho assorted parcel), and correspondingly, other items run into much money and funds 'are urgently needed. 1 During the past month the president has visited the following branches and ■ given addresses on the work and .needs of the fund:—Sheffield, Selwyn Street, Marshland, Loburn, Springston, Kir,wee, Beckenham, Balcaim, At et liven and Lyndhurst. CASES. We are urgently in need of cases again. For mtts of these in guy numI hers we shall be grateful. The depot has benefited by several efforts of sale. A party of Lyttelton ladies, under the able leadership of Mesdames E. R. Curtis and Coljtn Cook, organised a very successful Paddy’s Market, which resulted in a cheque for £125 11s lOd being handed in. The United Bowling, Tennis (and Croquet Club’s tournament brought £55 3s fid to the treasurer. The stall for the sale of cakes and sweets, organised ■by Alesdamtes Bingham, Wyatt and Bullock, assisted by a number of young ladies, realised £29. The beautifully iced and decorated cakes given by hoi Excellency Lady’ Liverpool and Misses Blackmore and Gilmore helped considerably to swell the fund. The winners of these were Mrs Cogan, Miss Quarto-main and Mr Donald. The Linwood Croquet Clubjs tournament netted £5 0s 3d. The Glee and Madrigal Club sent us a cheque for £23 fis 4d, share of opera. l|he thanks of the committee are tendered to all who worked so hard to. make above efforts so successful, also to tho following for gifts of money or goods;— Dnrfield and Kimberley District Auxiliary "“War Fund, per Mrs H. A. Knight, sent us a welcome, and special donation of £IOO, Waimate "Branch (per Miss Daily) £2O, Tiraaru Lntlies’ Patriotic Fund £lO (for Volunteer Nurses’ Holiday Fund), Tawera Patriotic Association £2O, Miss E. M. Bindley £lO, Rar.giora £2O, Sumner Branch (monthly donation) £5. Prisoner of War £o, Mrs H. Cross £l, Spreydou JBranch £5 (monthly), Mrs Russell 'ss, Omihi Branch 15s fid, Tai Tapu Branch £5 4s 3d, Doric £2 11s fid, Airs T. Wilkinson (Spotswood) £l, Mrs Woodcocks fis, Miss Hargreaves 10s, Hundaloe- School 14s 3d. Sheffield Branch £5, Mrs W. Powell 10s, Lincoln Branch £2, Miss K. Gresson £2 10s, Oxford Branch (nor J. M’Oormack, Esq.) £6 fis. A.B.C. 7s fid, Woolston School staff £1 10s, Airs Aschman 10s, Airs Bush fis. Airs Dysart’s afternoon £2 4s ifid, Bromley Branch £5, Air Bultitnde 10s, Barbara Hall, Ena. Pnlmor, Kathleen Brown and Una Curry 10s, proceeds sale “Weekly Budget.” Tho following sent goods:— Branches—Gobble’s Valley, Afotukarara, Rangiora, Sheffield, Spre.vdnn, Springfield. Russell's Flat and Kowai Bush, Akaroa, Kaiapoi, Dunsandel, Wa ini,ate Mayoress Fund. Tim am (100) garcris. Knox Church Guild, pin. it Bolt Soldiers' Guild, Greymoutth, Tai Tapu, y