CHRISTMAS AT SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2362, 19 January 1915, Page 6

CHRISTMAS AT SAMOA

. « . THE BOYS ENJOY THEMSELVES NEW ZEALAND GIFTS APPRECIATED. (By Telegraph.—Prose Association! ■ Auckland, January 18. "The arrival of the Christmas mail was a great event," writes the "Herald" correspondent with the Samoan troops, from Apia, on December 31. "It must have been just about mid-day on December 23 when the Navua arrived," he continues; "and at once began to disgorge the largest mail ever carried to Samoa.' By the time letters were over the side they were ready to start? on the 1000 small cases ad.dressed to each man individually. Unfortunately the barometer elected to go down with a run, so that Captain Williams naturally put to sea again that night. This hindered the progress _ a little, but he returned next morning early and by 11 o'clock all Christmas cheer had been landed, and departing officers and men went on board. In the meanwhile every form of transport had been hard at'work. This meant that in a very short time every one of the numerous Christmas gifts had been sent to the camps. Unfortunately a heavy tropical thunderstorm in the afternoon of Christmas Eve rather disorganised matters, but as far as the Auckland patriotic fund gifts were concerned the rain did not damage. I" "Words cannot express the joy and satisfaction when it was seen how generously the people had treated their boys': Mere words cannot express one fraction of what we feel, but suffice it to say there was enough to prolong Christmas over the 'New Year, and everything was just what we wanted. Christinas Eve saw the whole camp happy and with enough mail matter to keep everyone busy for a long time. "Over a dozen cases of books and magazines from Christchurch will supwith still _more reading material to last a long time, for which we are deeply grateful. "Christmas morning broke very wet indeed and effectually put a stop to the combined church parade for all troops, which was to have been held on Malifa camp parade ground. Owing to the inclemency of tho weather the sports meeting for the afternoon was also postponed, but not prevent the men from thoroughly enjoying their Christmas dinner. The day closed with the most successful concert held in the barracks. Unfortunately the programme has been lost, but it was distinctly good and went with a swing. "Boxing Day was another .whole holiday and was devoted to a seven-a-sido football tournament. This is a particularly strenuous form of amusement for such a hot climate, but it was a great success. In the' afternoon there was a waumafatagii at the village of Lepea, which was attended by a large number of officers and men."