FEDERATION BUILDING AT – TRENTHAM CAMP.

New Zealand Tablet, 18 March 1915, Page 31

FEDERATION BUILDING AT TRENTHAM CAMP.

To the Editor. ■ Sir,As your readers will have learned from the report of the nroceedings of the Dominion Council the erection of a building for religious and social purposes, at the military camp at Trentham, is to be proceeded with forthwith, in order to give the Catholic soldiers the same facilities for attending religious services, etc., as are enjoyed by the men of other denominations. The camp is a permanent one for the training of our soldiers from every part of the Dominion arid at a later period —when the war is over—as a place of dispersal for the returned New Zealanders. The permanent military hospital will be situated there, and it is expected that our boys will be—in greater or less numbers —in occupation for a very considerable time to come. The four Diocesan Councils have been asked to contribute their quota of the expense of the building, and it is confidently anticipated that sufficient funds will be provided for that purpose. I desire, however, to appeal to the parents, relatives, and friends of our Catholic soldiers, and to. the general body of the Federation, for contributions towards the cost of furniture, fittings, and lighting. Gifts of stationery, inkstands, books, games, and other requirements, to enable the building to be of the greatest service to those in training for the defend the Empire will be very welcome. It is hoped that we shall be able to provide a piano and a gramophone for the amusement of the men. It has been suggested that if the sum of .one penny per head was subscribed by the children (over 15,000 in number) attending the

Catholic schools of the Dominion, both could' readily be provided. Perhaps some of our zealous and patriootic branches will act upon the above hint. > Contributions in money, or of the articles above mentioned will be gratefully received and acknowledged. Remittances should be addressed to the treasurerßev. Father Hurley, Box 958, Wellington. —I am, etc., Geo Girling-Butcher. 51 Lower Cuba Street, Wellington. .