Helensville Tinned Mullet

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 February 1915, Page 2

Helensville Tinned Mullet

In Egypt at sd a Tin Realising on the Handsome Present donated by Mr Jas. Stewart, of Helensville Tinning Factory fame, who gave ioo cases Mullet to the Expeditionary Force for their special benefit, and which were sold in the Military Canteens in Egypt at fivepence a tin!* The Pyramids shamed! THE ECHO has been fain to blink at the many complaints that have been published in the papers regarding the sales of various commodities in the military canteens, which were made as presents to our boys who have bravely volunteered for the front, but " the cat is new out of the bag," our eyes are opened, and we cannot close them any longer after the following exposure, which calls for strict inquiry by the military authorities, who, in respect to the many other charges, have warned complainants that it would be best to reserve judgment until full inquiry were made at the various head- | quarters, regarding the sale to " our boys " of their own presents, such as jams, cigarettes, sox, pipes and tobacco, tinned meats, biscuits, and numerous other luxuries,not forgetting chocolates mostly contributed by ladies. The following are copies of letters sent on to the Premier, Hon. W. F. Massey, for inquiry purposes :— (Copy of letter received by Mr James Stewart, Helensville) Box 25, Methven: Canterbury, February 4, 1915. Dear Sir,—Would you be kind enough to inform me if your company donated to the N.Z Expeditionary Force (now in Egypt) some cases of fish for their use on the voyage or while in camp ? - The reason I ask is that at present time this Force are now buying these tins of fish at about 5d per tin from the Canteen (in Egypt). The fish is contained in cases marked 48 -1-lb tins, rich, fresh mullet, and the tins are contained in cases labelled "Dominion Mullet, Awaroa Fish Company, Helensville, donated to N.Z. Expd. Forces." If these are gifts to the Force, the has, no right to sell the same. I have a son in this Force, who complains of this and other things, and I should like to get confirmation of same. Awaiting your early reply, for which I enclose stamped envelope.—l am, etc., (Signed) . J [We have made the signature blank for inquiry purposes, but it may be obtained privately from the Editor.] (Copy of letter forwarded by Mr Jas. Stewart to the above writer). Helensville, Feq. 8, 1915. Mr , Box 25, Methven, Canterbury, Dear Sir, —I am in receipt of your letter of the 4th inst. I am proprietor of the Awaroa Fish Co., Helensville, and donated to the N.Z Expeditionary Force 100 cases of canned mullet, each containing 48 1-lb. tins, the value of the gift being placed at £100. On instructions from Captain Reid, of Wellington, the , cases were labelled as you say— i "Donated to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 48 1-lb tins rich fresh j mullet, Awaroa Fish Co., Helensville, James Stewart, Proprietor." All the cases were clearly marked, and in my opinion the contents, being a free gift to the Expeditionary Force, should not have been offered for sale. —I am, etc., [ (Signed) James Stewart. [The labels: as quoted above were printed at the ECHO Office, Helensville, \ in red ink, so that there is no mistake about the brand. As each case contained 48 tins, the generous gift comprised 4,800 tins. This fact we published at the time.—ED.]