A LINK WITH THE PAST

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3110, 14 June 1917, Page 6

A LINK WITH THE PAST

IN CRIMEAN- WAB TIMES.

In England at the present tune thereis a great shortage of • paper, ..and obi newspaper files arc being requisitioned to replace the more elaborate wrappings iu voguo prior to the present war. An interesting instance of this tact was brought to light in Wellington the other . day. Air. Hum* Dans, confectioner, of Cauiuridg'o Terrace, was unwrapping a box of chocolates, and noting that a printed newspaper composed the covering he looked at the date and discovered that it was portion of the London "Times" of December 2S, 1854. On perusing the contents he came across an advertisement inserted by Florenco Nightingale, of renown, "drawing attention to the sad want of warm clothing before Sebastopol by our brave fellows who have been, or _ who are, engaged in the present conflict." Anotber portion of the same advertisement stated: "The committee begs to announce that already an additional number of poor women have been engaged and 70 flannel shirts have been dispatched to Scutari, and a large number of others are in a I state of forwardness."- "A striking disI tinctiou between-then and now. At the. present time 70 shirts would he a mild afternoon's work at the Town Hall, and it is the rich, as well as the poor, that give their time to the noblo work of providing for our brave fellows at tlio front. In a published list of subscribers to a fund to provide necessaries the highest sum is £19, given by an officer's daughter, whilst Lady Byron gives / .£3. the prices dwindling down to 10?. There are many other interesting features having reference to the endeavour to raise funds for the requirements of the troops. Monov does not appear to have been as plentiful in those days as now, or else they were not such cheerful givers. Another interesting excerpt Telates to shipping, and reads as follows:—"Tho departures from the Port of London for the Australian colonies during the weekhave comprised six vessels—five to Port Phillip, with an aggregate burden of 2538 tons, and one to New Zealand of 459 tons, making a total of 2997 tonfc"