A FITTING TRIBUTE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7565, 8 May 1919, Page 4

A FITTING TRIBUTE.

PRESENTATION TO MBS. E. HL

SUISTED.

There was a large and representative gathering at the Gotliic yesterday afternoon to record appreciation of the work during the war of Mrs E. H. •Suisted, as the organiser and toon, secretary of the Wangan,ui sub-centre of the New Zealand blanch of the Brflish Red Cross Society and Order off. St. John.

The sub-centre played a very prominent part in* patriotic work. A start was made in a small way by Mrs Suieted* and the ladies associated with her, v but the organisation and the scope of its work rapidly grew; until in the latter days of war the sub-centre was a household word and had a magnificent), record of work accomplished in providing for the welfare of New Zealand soldiers on active service and particularly the sick and wounded in hospital. Ihe appreciation of thankful soldiers overseas has been recorded from tin** to time in letters' pubhsued; a.loo&J appreciation was shown yesterday. Mrs Neilson presided, and apologias were read for the absence of Mrs "Wotton, Rev. Blamires, and Mr A. Burnett. Afternoon tea was nerved, the tables being beautifully decorated foe the occasion with autumn leaves add berries. To Mr T. B. Williams, chairman of the Wanganul-Waitotara Patriotic Association, fell the duty of preventing "' to Mrs Suisted a gold wrifctietj .watoh and a lady's handbag^ the lattqr*havv ing an enclosure of considerable iiltritt* . sic value. . ■ : * The wristlet wateih tfa« iqjpribed.: Presented to Mrs JS. id. Striated -tin remembrance of her war long work for Our Boys, from the Wangahui Hub-centre and appreciative citizens/ 11 7/5/19. Mr Williams said it was pleasure that there was no longer need for the splendid wax work of the ladies, life had always. found Mrs Suited v willing helper in any question affecting tihjs welfare of others, whether it wens dkirity, suffering, or sickness. ttb asked her to accept the gifts as a slight leoognitiomfrom her colleagues and tlve citizens of the way she had -carried out her duties. As chairman of the Fatn otic Association he knew the work *he had done, and the work that thfc ether ladies of the sub-centre had so enthusiastically carried out for .New Zealand soldiers. (Applause). : Mrs Suisted replied feelingly. She wrid she could hardly express how bli§ felt as she had, no idea sue was to meet puoJi a large gathering. Through the whole of her work she had been loyally supported by her lady helpers and the citizens. It was a great pleasure to assist in the war worJj, and it was an additional pleasure to lay it down novy" there was no further need for it. They bad learned many lessons, patience, thoughtfulne&s and appreciation ,ror one another. With but slight exception there hfld been pertect unanimity ir the work to assist the soldier^ , She could not thank them too much lor the honour they .had done her in making the presentation,- (Applause). ■ -^On the'call 61, Mr Neilson ihree cheer were given" for the recipient. Mr W. A.'Veitoti, M.P., said the r,p.fircciation of Mrs Suisted's work was *el- throughout and beyond Wanganu-i, They could never estimate what tju* sub-centre iiad done tor the men it the Front. It was admitted that Vt) was the women of th« Empire who lin*j won the war, and had encouraged ttie i-ven to go on. "The great thing now v, as to look w> the futurej but the good sens© of the peopJe would rise superior to tho difficulties.

Concluding, iMr Veitch expressed keen regret that illness prevented Mis? Hon, G. Carson, M.L.C., the president of the sub-centre from being present. Mr J. H. Koesiag paid a striking tribute to Mrs Buisted's tact and powers of 'i organisation and.the way she conducted the sub-centre's work during the long campaign. She was /,i----ways ready to help, and he was proud to know there were women Jlke her who were fitted to be at the head of a great army of good women working so nobly. Mr John Jones expressed the greatest admiration for the way Mrs Sunsted and her organisation had carried out their work. All the ladies who worked deserved the gratitude of fnepublic for the way they had kept it «p for the last four years. He hoped the ladies, now the war was over, woufe not disband. Too much praise oooild not be <?iven to them.

Mr Brown, vice-president of the Re* turned Soldiers' Association, tendered Mrs Suisted his warmest thanks, 'and. spoke of ths great pleasure the sol-t diers on the other side derived from the gifts sent forward by the sub-cen* tre. , :

The pleasant little tunction termih* ated wWct'^e singing of the National Anthem.