Ashburton

New Zealand Tablet, 28 September 1916, Page 15

Ashburton

(From our own correspondent.)

Speaking to his congregation on a recent Sunday Rev. Father O’Donnell drew, their attention' to the appeal being made per medium of the N.Z. Tablet for the relief of their fellow Irishmen, who are sorely in need of financial assistance as a consequence 6f the forced hardships on them through the recent deplorable rising in Ireland. Rev. Father O’Donnell spoke appealingly, and at some length, and it is anticipated the Irishmen of this parish will respond cheerfully and liberally to this most deserving fund. Another farewell social to our Catholic soldier boys took place on Thursday of last week, when Messrs. Blackburn, Daly, Dawson, Fitzgerald, McGuinness, and Whearty (members of the 18th Reinforcements) were given a send-off. Mr. M. J. Burgess presided over the gathering. During the evening Rev. Father OO’Donnell made a presentation to each soldier, and in asking their acceptance of same assured them of the esteem in which they were held by their fellow-Cath-olics, and on their behalf and his own wished them God’s every blessing and a safe return to New Zealand. The musical programme for the evening was contributed to by Mr. Cunningham, Master P. Cullen, Mrs. D. F. Watson, and Miss Cullen. The gathering broke up with cheers for the soldier boys and the singing of the National Anthem.

The Catholic branch of the local Red Cross Society continue its good work, the work turned out by them for August, as reported by the secretary (Miss M. McCormick), being as follows:—68 Body binders, 240 triangular binders, 180 mani-tails, 40 face cloths, 1284 bandages, 9 pairs socks, 2 knee caps, 12 balaclavas, 4 pairs slippers, 9 pairs bed socks, one scarf, 4 pairs mittens, 23 pyjamas, 2 dressing-gowns, 14 bed jackets, 10 shirts, 3 underpants, 9 singlets, 12 waistcoats, 2 sheets, 4 pillow slips, 15 draw sheets.