KINDNESS APPRECIATED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16718, 11 August 1916, Page 4

KINDNESS APPRECIATED.

A feeling of sympathy and admiration for the little country of Belgium, and warm appreciation of many kind! actions at Caaro for the New Zealand, and, in many instances, Wanganui soldiers, by Madame Feirz, resulted in a. v,ery large attendance at the Druid s Hall yesterday afternoon, when a cordial welcome was- extended to this Belgian lady visitor to Wanganui. There were over 500 people present, a number which included representatives of local bodies, prominent citizens, representatives of religious denominations, and, '/ '•as nvght be expected on such an occasion, many parents and relatives of - local men in the Expeditionary Forces. Lieut. Dixon was present, representing the Defence Headquarters' Staff afc Palmerston North.

The hall was prettily decorated for the. occasion with patriotic bunting, and th,e British and Belgian colours were prominent.. ,

The gathering was of a conversazione nature, and those who had the pleasure of meeting Madame Fierz found her a lad1/ with a charming personality. On her arrival she was presented by the chairman of the Patriotic Association (Mr. T. B. Williams) with a bouquet trimmed with Belgian colours.") Mr. Williams extended a cordial wei-^ come to the visitor, pointing out that she had rendered many kindnesses to the soldiers in Egypt. The object or the gathering was to give an opportunity to the relatives of (the men of thanking Madame F.ierz for what she had done. He then read a letter from a returned soldier in the Wanganui Hospital, expressing regret at not bein:; able to be present, and (thanking th.-i. visitor for her kind attention to the Wanganui members of thaip&tain Body during their stay m Egypt.

Mr. C. H. Burnett (chairman of tha local Belgian and Serbian Commitjtes^ and Dr.- Hatherley also thanked tb.B visitor for her good work.

Madame Fierz, m reply thanked the people ox New Zealand for their gifra to the Belgians, and expressed appreciation of the soldiers of the Dommio.i who were fighting to assist Jt-er coua-.1 try. - , ' Mr. N. Mieiili read a letter from his nephew, the 'writer paying a warm tribute to the visitor's work on behalf of the New Zealand troops. . In welcoming the visitor /the Rev. Mr. McKenzie said all Had a duty to I perform, a fact which would be* brought home to them if they cou.'i catch but one glimpse of the Belgvsn. refugees. The-war was not over Vies, nor th^ need cf attention to the mon who had gone to the front. No duty was more sacred or binding than, that they owed to Belgium. By honouring their guest they could honour zha country wliich she came from.

During the afternoon refreshment uere hanlnl round, the national antheni3 of Be feitim, Britain and France were played by an orchestra, and songs «ere sung by. Mrs. Peter Lewis, and; Messrs Fuisted and Laycock. All the '<■ anMiigements wem well carried out,'1 and thanks are due to all who assist©-? I to make the afternoon such a success. ''

At the conclusion Mr. J. Jones commented on the great (success of th 3 .function, and on his motion a cordiai vote of thanks vas accorded Mr. .-nd V. rs. T. B. Walliams and Mrs. Sußsted who o;j:a.iiised xhc gathering.