MEN BY ORION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 214, 10 September 1945, Page 4

MEN BY ORION

PATRIOTIC SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTION DETAILS Wellington, Sept. 7 The reference made by the master of the Orion to the issue of patriotic comforts to the New Zealand Service personnel who returned by this ship was elaborated yesterday by the Act-ing-Secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board, Mr. A. H. Gibson. He said it was the practice not only to supply drafts returning to New Zealand "with patriotic goods, but also to give the officer in charge of each draft a sum of money for the purchase of additional comforts and amenities. That had been done in the case of the Orion draft, and he had received today a report from Lieut.-Colonel R. G/Webb, O.C. of the draft. The report showed that Lieut-Colo-nel Webb was given a grant of £450 from patriotic funds, and that it had been expended in the following purchases: Foodstuffs, £137 6s 6d; cigarettes, £247 15s; tobacco, £57; reading materials and games, £1 15s; hospital comforts. £6 3s 6d. In addition to the goods purchased with the £450. the draft had hern supplied with the following patriotic goods:—36o.ooo cigarettes, 30 cas-s bolied sweets, 20 cases cake. 2 gross playing cards. 30 cases wrapped toffer. 25 cases of barley sugar, 10 cases bi - cuits. two cnses books, and also writing material. DETAILS OF ISSUES In his report Lieut.-Colonel Webb gave details of issues and when the issues were made. The follow ing was a typical issue: August 17: 50 cigarettes and 11b sweets per man and 71b biscuits per mess table, together with a ’ ; lb tin of jAm. Details of these issues w'ere promulbated from time to time in routine orders. The distribution report, signed by Lieut.-Colonel Webb and Mr. R Thornton. New Zealand Y.M.C.A. secretary, concluded: “Altogether we had a very nice trip, and many thanks to the National Patriotic Fund Board for the comforts. Everyone much appreciated this very fine gesture. As the men disembarked we made an issue of a ilb block of chocolate for the train journey.” The only suggestion made by Liuet.Colonel Webb was that as there was no tea on the ship’s menu for the middav meal cordials (ship’s limejuice in particular) should be included in the comforts supplied to subsequent drafts. He also suggested that owing to the shortage of fruit at Panr.ma tinned fruit and additional cake could be included.