CHRISTMAS TREAT

Evening Star, Issue 20051, 17 December 1928, Page 5

CHRISTMAS TREAT

RETURNED SOLDIER’S THOUGHTFULNESS Children of men who were killed in the Great War and who afterwards died of wounds or sickness, and children of men who still suffer disablement, wore made supremely happy, as only children can be, at a Christmas treat on Saturday afternoon arranged by the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association. It was a happy thought of the executive of the association in repeating a treat similar to the one given last year, and the liberal way in which members assisted financially or otherwise showed their respect for their old comrades. It was, in a way, a revival. of . the spirit of comradeship that existed among the men who fought. _ * The treat was held in the grounds of the First Church, kindly lent for th» occasion. About 230 children, with parents or guardians, attended at the invitation of the committee, and it was a pleasing sight to. see the happy children awaiting the arrival of Father Christmas, who came in time-honoured custom and correctly attired, his henchmen carrying a large quantity of inflated balloons. From a gaily decorated Christmas tree toys and balloons wore handed out to the children. Ice creams, 1 soft drinks, and afternoon tea were provided, and there were also games and races for the children, many of whom were also taken rides 1 in the motor car of Father Christmas. Each child received a piece of a, large Christmas cake donated by Mr Goodley, of Roslyn. Cakes were donated by Mr Laurenson, Roslyn, and gifts and loans of articles were made by a largo number of citizens. The main cost of the function was borne hy members of the association,, who subscribed approximately the sup of £40% this amount being expended in toys and other necessaries for the treat. A pleasing feature was that all the toys were made by returned soldier "labour. The imported toys were manufactured by disabled men in England, and one lot was supplied hy a local disabled returned man.