RED CROSS ACTIVITIES.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 9, 24 July 1930, Page 12

RED CROSS ACTIVITIES.

LOWER HUTT BRANCH RELIEF

DEPOT

The past fortnight has been a. most strenuous one in this branch of -the work, there having been 4 applicants^ to whom, have been, given. 417.gaxin.erits of all kinds, 4 layettes,. 4: suits, 23 coats and overcoats, 33 pairs of boots and shoes, numerous-collars and ties, 3 new* blankets, meat, jam groceries, and 7/6 oash. We are at present devoid of almost everything at the rooms except faith and numerous hats and old shoes', even, the dust from the floor is missing, thaving been scrubbed, up truly and well 'by one of our grateful "patients." As you will see by the number of. layettes given, the Stork 4s going to be very busy in this ■ district within the next month or two, but the fellow has no sense, of fitness; he simply never remenibexs to bring the baby clothes, and really the babiejs cannot be shown off outdoors in their birthday suits; it really isn't done, not in the best society anyway. Some of out Committee members have been raiding their friends' treasure chests, and brought forth a goodly "Stork's Nest } " into which, alas, we have dipped far too deeply, and how we hate to see the things go, lest they should get into the hands of an indifferent washer, but each recipient so far has been self -^proclaimed as being a marvellous washer, so our dear woollies will be all right. Perhaps if we baild a chimney on our roof Father Christmas will drop us down a bolt of flanaellette for nappies, sort of bolt from the bke so to speak, but we of the committee are a hardened lot, and the shock would not do us any permanent injury. An unemployed man came into our Wellington Depot last week for a shirt, stating he had worn the one he had on for ten weeks—the shirt spoke for itself above a whisper! Wo had none there^ but I had evil designs on a near relative of mine re skirts, so I told our -would-be clean friend that if he walked out to the Hutt next day I would find him one. He replied that he would walk 20 miles for the pleasure of feeling a clean shirt on his back. I enquired why he did not wash it out at night and this,is his reply, which I; havo; since found applies to sebres'.of other single men and widoders without; homes, or married men whp> ha^e-left their wives with their people while they hunt' for work. He said: '' Well, you see mam, it's like this; J -sleep at the/ S.A. Shelter every night, and keepl going on the soup kitchen. I get two basins of sdup every day, and if you keep your' eyqs open of a lunch time, people often leave some of their lunch on a seat or window-sill so you ar-e all rig Jit for food and shelter if it isn't full up when you get there, and it is surprising 3u>w-soon you can get.over the craving for solid meals. But you never get used to the smell of your dirty clothes." He said it was not possible to wash them ou.t at night as there was no convenience to dry them, and none to wear while drying. f One man risked.*il, 'biufc ; ,stayed awake. all night with the cold, huddled in.his one blanket but otherwise naked, but his clothes were still wet in-the morning, and to my horror, on being invited to

feel them, I found them ..more than damp, yet he had to .put them on and turn out at-8 a.m in them.-'1 regret to record; that we had none to give him to. change. Our friend-of the ten-weeks old shirt actually walked out to the Putt last Thursday iii joyful anticipation .of the -jsfrirt. I had '''borrowed the shirt all right, but no undeijweaT^ yet at the very moment that man 'walked into OjUr room here an arm and hand came' rbimd tie doorway and thrust in a complete set of underwear. We fixed him up with a coat and eap ;^and for blankets gave; him. a sugar sack and shooting coat. He was brimming with joy at having been picked, to go to Nelson.that night, congratulating him- ! self on his luelv ; and thanking ~God and the Red Cross for his clean shirt, which by the way, he smellcd at as one would a bunch of flowers. ' ;

We are deeply grateful to anonymous donors who came forward to the rescue of a sadly hungry family with groceries, meat, etc., and to the R.A.0.8 for further provision for the same family. Had not the gallant mother broken down from lack of food -while applying here for a* few clothes for her children, we would not have known of her plight/ The E.A.0.8 have also given us free use of their .hall for a dance on the 23rd July,' to get funds for the relief of distress in the district.-

i. We have to sincerely thank '. anonymous donors for clothes and boots, and the following for children's and other clothes: —Mesdames Sollis, Kings Bd., Grant, 7 Moa Street; Kay, Tama Street, WMte, Totata Cresent (new flannel); Robertson, Main Street; Seadden^ Heath Street, Sutton, Woburn, all of which seemed to come at the moment of greatest need. The Theosophieal Society ;s Ladies ' Gfliild, and the Waiwhetu Methodist.-Ladies' Gnild, are •warriors for'work,' and Cunninghams ! have conveyed goods free of charge. ''■■' F.E. JOYCE. I Secretary Ladies' Auxiliary.