ANNUAL GIFT DINNER

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XX, Issue 4, 1 October 1929, Page 3

ANNUAL GIFT DINNER

Since the year 1910 invitations have been sent to the scholars of the schools of the Dominion, through their teachers to help to provide Christmas dinners for the poor children of the Motherland so that on that great day of "Goodwill to men," they also could have 'a Merry Christmas." Man v of those poor little chaDS look forward with great longing to the annual treat from the Children of New Zealand. One of the boys sent thanks to you for your kind thought, and said: "We had a happy day of roast beef and vegetables, sweets, custards, buns, oranges and' crackers." The London Times said: "1100 poor children of London were yesterday the guests of the school children of New Zealand, and their Christmas dinner was eaten at the Guildhall.'' The head teachers of a school m the Auckland province writes:— "l have much pleasure m sending herewith th& contribution of the above school for the Christmas dinner of poor children m London. This represents the contributions of about 200 children, many of whom had to deny themselves gomfc little pleasure m order to contribute their mite. With best wishes for the success of this good work."

Letter From Prebendary Wilson Cariile, D.D. Headquarters Church Army. Dear New Zealand Friends, If you had, as I have had, the happiness of seing our '.'New Zealand dinners for poor children of the Homeland," no words of appeal from me would be necessary. Your constant help is a constant joy to us. because if means happiness and help for some of our very poorest. We shall, this year, arrange the biggest "New Zealand" dinner for the benefit of the poor children of London; but, we trust that by your generous help, we shall be able to, arrange many more dinners m other centres. Thanking you again for all you have done and are doing, Gratefully yours, WH.SON CARDILE Hon. Chief Sec. Black wool Fund for Motherless Bairns Since 1910 Sheepfarmers have given black or odd wool to he sold by their agents on behalf of the Church Army Motherless Children of Ex-Service' Men. Children of civilians are now received and cared for equally with those of Ex-Service Men. If suitable for overseas they are sent to a training farm at Hempstead to prepare for colonial life. Last year 1087 were assisted to emigrate by the Church Army. Our work has continued since the early days of the war. We have now

five homes for motherless children, prmService and ex-Service men's children. Many are of course orphans, their fathers having been killed since the children have been m our carie, and also the various pensions offices send children to us frequently. We have also many children whose fathers are disabled, one poor man who has lost a leg and from whom we have five children, only two receiving an allowance. Another man who was m the Coldstream Guards all the war haa his horse blown up .under him. Another man, whose children have been with us for many years, is a labourer on the railway, earning £2 4s a week. He gives us £1 towards the maintenance of his five children. These instances will show how much we are m need of. money to keep up these homes, for though Aye make a point of the fathers' paying what they can towards their children's maintenance, there are very many of them who can only give a veru small sum. "We are so gratef'nl when people will undertake to be Fairy-godparents, that is, to promise to befriend one special child and send money for part of the maintenance, and ,we send reports and photos of the child from time to time. We are grateful. for every single fleece of wool to help on this patriotic work. F. W. WHIBLEY, Box 20, Ormondville. H. Sec. C.A. N.Z.