LETTERS FROM SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3090, 22 May 1917, Page 2

LETTERS FROM SOLDIERS

• N.Z. GIFTS APPRECIATED. By this last mail the Mayoress (Mrs. J. V. Luke) has received several letters and postcards from New Zealand soldiers in Franco and England acknowledging tho receipt of parcels which have been sent them through tho Countess of Liverpool Fund Committee. One soldier, after expressing tho warmest appreciation of his parcel, writes:—"Tho contents wero very nice, and arrived in splendid condition. In concluding I must say 'how grateful ivo soldiers are for tho manner in which your noble band of workers and yourself have worked on our behalf, and "may your good work continue."

In another letter, written in the front line, "Somowhore in France," the .writer says: "It is always very cheering to know- we are not forgotten by tho good folk left behind in Now Zealand, and wo nil look forward unceasingly to that glorious day which shall see our return 1o tho Blessed Isles. Wo aro now looking forward to the early advent of spring, and Trill givo tho 'lady' a warm welcoino, after the severe winter wo have experienced. Still wo have not felt the cold so badly as one might havo expected, and believe me there aro worse places than a good dug-out -with a nice cheerful fire as an accessory." This letter was' written on bohalf or the crew of No. 2 gun, 3rd New Zealand MachineGun Company.

Another writer states ho had just received his parrel tho previous day (March 4), and he th, ''■% the Mayoress and her workers for the gift and for the thoughtfulness which, prompted it. Yet an-' other soldier in writing to tho Mayoress soys: "Just a note to thank you for the splendid parcel and , the kind greetings sent on with it. They all came our yray in good order and condition. I am afraid that words would fail us to express our } appreciation of the kindness and good feeling shown, by you to us all at this time. We feel that wo cannot overestimate the grand work done by the ladies of our beloved Now Zealand. Will you please accept this as from one of the boys?" A gunner writing from France on March 8 says: "Tho various funds this Christmas have treated us well, and their efforts are appreciated, I am sure, by us nil. My only hope is that there will be no necessity. for it next Christmas, the war being then a thing of tho past." The officer commanding 2nd Field Company, N.Z.E., writing on Marcli 10 to the Mayoress, acknowledges the receipt of "three, cases of gift parcels which, came to hand from your branch to-day. Each case contained 25 parcels, which have been distributed to members of this company, and wero highly appreciated by all. On-behalf of the company, I wish to thank you very sincerely for the thoughtfulness in, selecting the articles sent, which prove of the utmost valuo to tho men out hore."

A joint letter from, half a dozen members of the N.Z.F.A. ahw came to hand, oxpressing warm thanks for their parcels. It is always , a very satisfactory matter to receive these, letters from soldiers on active service, as they show that the parcels reach, their destination safely and meet the needa of the men. One- of the things that cannot fail to strike anyono when reading these letters is the cheerfulness and quiet modesty with which the men. write and thank the committee and workers for their thoughtfulness in, providing them , , with comforts." The hazards of this greatest war and.the toll

it is taking havo become a commonplace to them, and.so this least of things that people in this country can. do for them is a matter, to them, of wondering thankfulness.