SOLDIERS' THANKS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2657, 31 December 1915, Page 3

SOLDIERS' THANKS

FOR CHRISTMAS HOSPITALITY. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) has received tho following letter 'from Lieu- ' tenant-Colonel H. R. Potter, Camp Commandant ,at Trentham, thanking him and those associated with him-for the . dinner provided for the soldiers on December 23 and December 25:— "Dear Sir,—The pleasing duty devolves on me of placing upon record, on behalf of the officers and men in Trentham and May Morn Camps, very hearty appreciation of and cordial thanks for, the generous hospitality of yourself, Mrs. Luke, and the citizens of Wellingtonj extended on Thursday, Decomber 23, in the form of Christmas dinner. _ The magnitude of the undertaking, in its conception was no light task, but the success of the functions at both camps gave unmistakable evidence of the infinite care and forethought which had been concentrated on- every detail in connection therewith. The pleasure given to the troops was considerably enhanced by the cheerful and efficient assistance rendered by the ladies who so kindly rendered practical aid at the function, probably at some considerable inconvenience and trouble, and to them I would ask you to make known how much their efforts were -appreciated. Tho abundance of' appetising edibles provided was further evi-. dence of the characteristic generosity of the _ citizens of Wellington, and I am voicing the sentiment of all the troops when I say that after they have left New Zealand for the front the hospitality and the • kindly feeling towards them thereby denoted will always remain a very happy and vivid recolleotion.'i Asking your acceptance of my personal appreciation of, and- thanks for, your own and Mrs. Luke's untiring efforts, which so largely contributed to the success of the functions."

Captain E. C. Dovoy,, Camp Commandant at May Morn, -also writes'to the Mayor:— ''■■■,

"Dear Sir,—Having been privileged to be present, in my official capacity at the Christmas dinner so generously provided by . the citizens'of Wellington for the troops in May Mom Camp on Thursday last, I feel it incumbent upon me to convey,to you the sentiment so : freely expressed by all the men who partook of the substantial repast. The unanimity of expressions of satisfaction and thanks was a gratifying tribute to the excellence of all the arrangements whidi must have been the. result of an enormous amount of hard work on the part of yourself, the Mayoress, and those who so kindly assisted. / I feel ;sure.it will be a source of pleasure for you to know that the function was very greatly appreciated by all ranks, and I shall.be obliged if .you, will kindly cause intimation of this to be known to those who co-operated with you. ■ I take this opportunity of expressing. cordial good wishes to yourself and the Mayoress for the New Tear, and trust that neither she nor yourself, will suffer in any way as the result of the exacting and strenuous patriotic duties which you .have both been so continuously called upon I to fulfil during the year just (tawing to a close." - '