ROSES FOR OUR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2615, 10 November 1915, Page 3

ROSES FOR OUR SOLDIERS

GREAT RESPONSE TO Y.M.C.A. APPEAL. At a largely-attended meeting lield last evening of the General Committee in connection with the Y.M.C.A. Hose Days on Friday and Saturday, it \('as reported by the secretary, Mr. A. Varney, that promises of gifts were arriving from almost every part of the Dominion. Donations ot ilowers and sweets were expected from Christcluirch, Nelson, Picton,' Blenheim, Auckland, Now Plymouth, Hawcra, Wangairui, Feilding, Palmerston North, Koxton, Levin, Masterton, Napier, and Hastings, and many other towns. In some districts committees of ladies had been formed for the purpose of canvassing for flowers.

Several Wellington gentlemen have given tho Y.M.C.A. permission to tako as many ilowers as will prove useful from their gardens. Some well-wishers have offered other gifts. One lady lias presented two puppy dogs to be sold on behalf, cf the Y.M.C.A. work among our soldiers. A gentleman stated lio was so glad there was a clean spot for his boy in Cairo in the Y.M.C.A. tent that ho has offered two sections of land at Island Bay. One lady, who wrote that she had no money to give, sent a vory choice locket and a valuable scarf —both keepsakes. Although the response to. tho Y.M.C.A. appeal for gifts has been so generous, still tho cause is worthy of tho greatest possible effort. It .is hoped therefore that everyone who can will fJonato flowers, sweets, cakes, or cash to buy comforts for our soldiers in tho trenches and in hospitals. Arrangements for the .sale of flowers and other gifts on Friday and Saturday are now complete. . Stalls will be erected at Veitcli and Allan's corner, W'indlor's Corner, Courtenay Plaice, Boulcott Street, Stewart Dawson's Corrior, Kelburn Tram, Woodward Street,' Government Buildings, General Post Oflice (main entrance), and the wharves. These will bo decorated by tho windowdressers of leading City shops, and will bounder the charge of .various women's organisations and clubs. All flowers will be dealt with by a Central Committee working in the Y.M.C.A. Buildings, Willis Street, and all boxes should bo sent to reach there on Thursday and Friday. ■ _ Gifts of cakes are urgently required. Miss Maxwell, 89a Willis Street, has , •kindly placed her shop at the disposal of the committee to servo as a depot for the disposal of cakes._ Members of her staff will give their. services to help make this effort a success. All that is needed is a good supply of licme-made cakes and sweets. The, committee also asks for 1000 parcels of sandwiches. These should reach thd Y.M.C.A. rooms on Saturday morning, so that they may be sold on helialf of the Rose Day Fnnu to friends of departing soldiers