WINTER IN THE TRENCHES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1757, 27 November 1917, Page 4

WINTER IN THE TRENCHES.

COMFORT FOR FIGHTERS. Civilians can easily "imagine themselves in the winter trenches, and can think of the thrill of a gift parcel —pleasant evidence of remembrance by the folk at home. In the trenches by the edge of No Mams Laud—-the courtyard of death —and in the bombarded billets near the firing lines, men of this district will be thinking of Yuletide of childhood and later years, days of gladness in gardens and by rivers under the summer sun and in the forest. Places and faces dearly remembered Avill come to them out of the murk and roar of battle. The soldiers will not forget. Will any of the brave be forgotten? Will any man at the front have a sad heart because no. sign of remembrance, by kind Avord or gift, has come to him from his oAvn country? This is the day, this is the time, to take precautions against such disappointment—and a sure way is through the Christmas Gift Fund, Avhich is used for the soldiers of the whole of the large Wellington Military District. All the year round members of the Citizens’ Service League work at the Wellington Town Hall Avith the packing of parcels of comforts for the trenches. This labour of love, by many ladies, is done in co-opera-tion Avith the Countess of Liverpool organisation. The one gift fund is supplementary to the other; it is one great tireless service to gladden the fighting men of the areas ranging from Wellington through Taranaki, Hawkes Bay and Poverty Bay, The Associated Amateur Sports Bodies of Wellington are busy noAV with a big campaign for Christmas gifts, but the project is planned to meet the soldiers’ needs far beyond Christmas. It is hoped to raise money enough to assure a regular despatch of parcels to the front. The Wellington workers are confident that the people of other towns and settlements of the lower halt of the North Island will help kindly in a movement Avhich is to give much appreciated “extras” to all soldiers from the Avholc district; there is no discrimination. Every fighter from this big area has the same claim on the Gift Fund. Think of Avinter in the trenches — and give. * Remember that death is the only limit to the soldiers giving fir their country. Cheques or other gifts may be sent to the Mayor or Mayoress of Wellington, or to Mr C. G. Wilsop, chairman of the General Committee, c/o Messrs Sargood, Son and Eavcii, P.O. Box 1517, Wellington, or to Mr R. W. Shallcrass, honorary secretary Sports Protection League, P.O. Box 059, Wellington. , On the 30th November, the various sports bodies (ten groups) Avill have stalls in the streets of Wellington, and Highland pipers and dancers Avill help jo stimulate the public. On the Ist/December there Avill be spectacular military sports, Avith explosions*of land-mines, grenade throAving and bridge building. Thci’e will also be a fancy dress and poster pageant.