FORWARDING THE LEATHER WAISTCOATS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2587, 8 October 1915, Page 3

FORWARDING THE LEATHER WAISTCOATS

The Committee of tho. Countess-of Liverpool Fund is forwarding shortly ,t'he leather . waistcoats . for the New " Zealand soldiers at tha front.' The quota of the: Wellington Military Area is 3000, but of these there are being sent on this occasion 4700, tho remaining' : 300 to follow later, together with a supply for tho men of the Bth Keinforcepients. The waistcoats have been made up into packages of from 35 to 65, according to the number of men "in each corps, and with them has been forwarded a letter to each commanding officer from the .Mayoress (Mrs. Luke). The letter runs as follows:— ; , 1 '

' • "Dear Sir,—We 1 are. sending 50 leather waistcoats addressed to you for the use of the men under your ■ command, ;including Maoris. ''The movement to supply these waistcoats was initiated by Her Excellency the Couhtoss of Liverpool, and has been entirely carried out bfc the women of ■the Wellington Military ' Area. They have cut them . out, machined them, .Waterproofed them, put on tho 'eners ind packed , them entirely without professional assistance. i" "We hope • •.you will tell' your; men that , 1 the <gift is.' an . earnest of the' affection and regard of the women of New Zealand, and that we: hope the .waistcoats will keep our brave soldiers dry. and warm, -and will .serve to. remind them , that' while they strive; for the peace. of the: world,, we at home think of them unceasingly, and that our only ploasure during their absence is to do "some{little, work for. them..'

• >"We, would ask'you, if any waistcoats are over after - supplying your men,- if you will give- them to some other soldiers ;who may .need, them. ... "We have!packed 50. cases of parcels of% Christmas. -pjifts for- the. men of the Wellington.Military\district as a.whole, also 18 cases of parcels specially addressed to, individuals. We sincerely hope you will endeavour to secure a share of these . for your men. . The cases are addressed to Officer Commanding, Base, Alexandria.. You ,-will confer a great favour on this committee if you will write and ..tell us . in what-condition these goods-reach you, especially.' the leather , waistcoats. "Wishing you and all 'your men a happy Christmas and a safe return,—l am, yours faithfully, Jacobina Luke." i. The -fifty, cases' of Christmas gift's for the. troops'. do -not include the gifts from'the country districts, of tho' : Wei-: lingtoJi" Military Area,' as' tho latter .havo forwajded their cases to the wharf .'direct, ready for shipment. .