GRATITUDE FOR GIFT PARCELS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 237, 25 June 1918, Page 2

GRATITUDE FOR GIFT PARCELS

SOLDIEKS' LiITTEKX J.'KO.U iIBSOI'OTAMIA. Jlany very grateful letters of appreciation liuvf! been received from the men of the Wireless Troup in Mesopotamia by tlii! luin.■ si't.Tctar.y of the. Surprise Hug Day Committee, of which Mrs, (.iibbons was convener and Mi«, Leicester .secretary. One soldier writes:—"Again Hie Cowl old 'billy'-willi a grand lot! of good things inside it in splendid order. The 'Wily' itself is a great boon, while tin; contents are great, and every article is just what is wanted, especially when 'miles from anywhere.' I'ou have no idea of how the 'billy' is valued and how Very useful it is. Beforeowning one we had to use jam or fruit (inn tiv make a cup of lea, but now every man is independent, and treasures his precious billy-can. The. selection of such sensible and serviceable articles rellecls the greatest credit on your committee. Although some of us are in Bagdad, a large number are out 'in the blue,' ivheri) nothing eu-i be bought or bagged, and then your parcel* are almost worth their weight in gold. I took a. snapshot of your parcels being sorted in Bagdad ready to send on to our Uovs furthe" afield, and I liopo to be able to forward a photograph of the same at an early date. Will you please convev 'to your committee and to all those responsible my grateful thanks and appreciation, and I trust that for everybody's sake the end of this struggle is not far distant." Another man writes: "It was with [treat pleasure that wo undid the strings of your 'billy' parcels, and still greater when the contents came to light. I can truthfully say that they are easily the best and most suitably assorted gift parcels that we have yet received in this country, and everything they contained was truly appreciated by the men here. Tour association lias proved a great boon to New Zealanders here. Manv thanks and the best of luck." " '

Yet another: "I, like many others, feel quite unable to express my'thanks sufficiently on paper, and only hope when we land back in 'God's Own' that an opportunity will bo given us to express in no unmistakable manner our deep gratitude to the fine friends who never fail to send us comforts. It certainly tnkes a lot oil' the rough edges of soldiering when one knows such staunch frionds are keeping us in mind away back'in 'down' under.'" Another man writes that lie was in hospital at Smidcrabud when his parcel arrived, and he considered it tho very best lie had yet received, .is it contained everything that was necessary and yet was unprocurable in India, 'let alone Mesopotamia. Very enthusiastic also was another writer, who had received his parcel that very afternoon (March 20). He considered that the contents emild !I°ni »vo ' )een '"'Proved upon, while ilio billy was a godsend, being ouo of the most useful things that could bo carried with them iii their travels. They woro not to be had in that country (Bagdad) at any price. Condensed milk was also unprocurable, as were indeed most of the other articles put up in the "billy." 'We are still doing well up here," lie continued, "aud upholding tho traditions of our New Zealand' Army and being constantly cheered by the kindly . tokens jroin our friends in Mnoriland, who are keeping the home iires burning." Another man writes that tbe "billy" which lie had received had been intended tor another man. but the latter was then back in. New Zealand, and the "billv" was balloted for, with the result that*it If i 0 , "Although I am not a New Zealander, • ho wfote, "I think that we are roally brothers, as I am an Australuin attached to a New Zealand station, and once aram I thank you on behalf ot the one for whom the 'billy' was intended, as I am sure he would have done had ho received it. Believe me when I say that the boys appreciate the parcels winch the Indies of your city so kindly sent, and others I sincerely hope that next Christmas will see all your friends and loved ones who are fijylitinir safely homo again." In expressing his gratitude for a parcel, another writer considered that the system that the committee follow.cd of sending comforts was an excellent one, as the parcels hardly failed to'reach the addressees if they were sfill in the conni n i t distribution of comforts in' bilk had many drawbacks, but the committees way was by fur the best. "All ttetoiAatafa are in the best of noalth, lie concluded, "but are longing ioi tne dnv when we can set foot once more in God's Own Country."

»i V l ™ Ur< ft? ove, «»S a special party of about 80 soldiers were guests at llio Sydney Street Soldiers' Club, Mrs. Bethune a ? l ii JDe w s " 10 Jfhitsonvillo branch ot tho Women s National fieserve, being tho hostesses. Music provided the greater part ot the entortainmont, and tho visitors sang several native soira and performed several dances, which were much applauded. Mrs. Bethune, in tho earlier part of the evening, made a littlo speech of welcome, and before the men left the ladies were thanked on behalf ot (he men for tiio hospitality which had been shown them all, and which they greatly appreciated. The heartiest of cheers were given by tho men as they left the club for their hostesses of the evening.

the engagement is announced of Mr. Herbert llopson Walker, of Klang, Federated Malay States, elder son of "the late Mr. llopson P. AYi.Jker, ALiripo'a, Todrale, .Melbourne, ; md Mis. IT. P. Walker of Klang, lo Elsi,> Aland Foam lev, Camperdoivn, Victoria, only daughter of the late Mr. M. Fearnloy, Nelson, N.Z., and. of tlitt' lato Mm. Fearnley, Victoria Avenue, Canterbury, Melbourne.

A meeting of the Navy League Bottlo Committeo was hold in the Soldiers' Club gymnasium, Sydney Street, yesterday afternoon, Mrs. D. W. Stewart presiding. i'Jirao new.members were added, to the committee, Mrs. von Haasl, Mrs. N. Burton, and Miss Earle. . Sinco tlio sale of bottles which was hold last week hosts of other bottles have been sent in, and tho committeo will bo very glad of further assistance iu classifying and washing bottles which have contained chemicals. In this work masculine assistance will be very greatly appreciated. Arrangements for llio holding of another bottle sale in a littlo while were also ; discussed. Appreciation of the work (lono by Aliss Hughes, Main Road, Lower Hutt, who has organised a depot in that suburb, and has collected inanv bottled, was expressed, and a volo of thanks lo the caretaker of the club, Mr. Tester, for his valuable assistance, and to Air*. iJrllin, of Island Bay, for the splendid way in which she organised the hol.llo campaign in that suburb, was passed, 'llio classification of the fresh bottles which have been coming in since tho last sale has been proceeding rapidly. THE STRAIN"OF AVAR. Few people can help worrying over the war at times. The awful nature of the struggle, the terrible suffering entailed, weigh upon tho minds d many with serious physical results. One of these is ''nerves." People becomo dispirited, depressed, easily put out, restless, and ill at ease. When in this slate a nervo tonic is badly needed, and for this purpose there' is nothing tu equal Wilson's Malt Extract. . The concentrated essence of the finest malted barley, Wilson's Alall Extract braces and tones, up . the system, and stoadies tho nerves without reaction, Almost at once you feel bettor, because the nervous system has been restored to its natural healthy state. Buy it from your chemist or store. But be, suro you get AVilson's Malt Extract—Advt.