SYDNEY STREET SOLDIERS' CLUB

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 257, 18 July 1918, Page 2

SYDNEY STREET SOLDIERS' CLUB

A SOLDIER'S LETTER. A meeting of tho committee of the Sydney Street Soldiers' Club was held yesterday morning, Mrs. W. F. Massey presiding. There were also present: Jlesd,'imes Joseph Joseph, AV. Nathan, Moorliouse, ISlnndell, W. Young, Coleridge, Samuel, Hall, Pearson, Russell, C. Earlo (hon. secretary), Lady Gibbes; and Miss Kotheuberg. Apologies were id ceived from Lady Stout, Miss Coatee, and Mrs. Chatfiehl.

Votes of thanks were passed to Mrs. H. Kirkealdie for the gift of twelve dozen spoons; Mr. Brookes and Miss 13. Uarle, for music and binding; to Mr. James M'lntosh; and to Sir James Allen, lor a handsome parcel of books on war subjects.

A letter was read by Mrs. Massey from Private Broard Hurst-Hill, of tho Australian Imperial Force, from which the following extracts were taken:—"l desire, both on my own account and at the request of a, number of Australian comrades, to thank you, and, through you, all our New Zealand cousins, for their great kindness and hospitality so generously extended to us when passing through Wellington. ... It is quite beyond my powers of penmanship to attempt to express all our hearts would liko to, . . . but, believe me, it has left an impression that time cannot efface; Ono corporal stated that 'it banged everyhing ever done for us in Blighty,' and Knowing as you do how royally English people have treated.us, you will understand this crude expression means a lot. Please convoy my best wishes and gratitude to the ladies who assisted you, and please accept the accompanying souvenir (his photograph) of an.old soldier, who, though in hie sixtieth year, is still able to do his bit, and enjoy till hospitality and friendship of life." It was stated at tho meeting that Private Bioard Hurst-Hill was an old member of the, pioneer Rugby football team that .visited New Zealand in 1882 front New South AVales'. 110 had tlirco sons serving in France.

Mrs. Massey, in speaking of tho letter, said that the occasion referred to by tho writer was when returning Australian soldiers wore entertained a little while ago, the evening being ono of the plcasnntest of (he many pleasant evenings that have been heid for soldiers in tho club. The splendid lypo of Australian soldiers returning from tho war had filled all who saw them with admiration land pride.