CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR SOLDIERS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 311, 9 October 1915, Page 7

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR SOLDIERS.

PILES OF PARCELS FOR THE FRONT. WELLINGTON Oct. 7. Thousands of Christmas parcels from New Zealand to the boys at the front will shortly be despatched under official care. A miniature warehouse has h?d to be swiftly organised in a big vharf slhed in Wellington to handle these cheering and seasonable messages from those who stay at home., Enough parcels have been handled this week to almost guarantee that no man in our forces abroad will be overlooked, thanks to the kindliness wpiich has prompted many consigners to add to the name of the trooper for whom they are,intended this direction, "or, if absent, to any deserving man." Patriotic committees and patriotic parents have contributed for several days to the big stream of packages which has" been steadily flowing into this wharf shed. Here a careful sorting process goes en. Packages are grouped according to the military units, and then secured in strong eases addressed to the commanding office!.-. Shaky cases are strengthened, uncertain addresses made plain, and a record made of every single parcel. The number of cases handled up till yesi ' terday morning wa s 302. These, are crammed with parcels addressed to individuals. Most of the cases contain sixty gift parcels. Many are sent simply to the soldiers of particular districts, and as the forces are grouped in Territorial lines, tlhere is a good chance of these general directions being effective. "Books for Gampoli" is the onAy address on many large and heavy boxes, wftiile similar presents for troopships fill thirty cases. Plumpuddings in billies, and biscuit tins full of cake, figure largely. Generous people have not forgotten New Zealanders who are in the , Australian forces, and some parcels go •M-wd-ti with that address. So well-organised has been the sending system, t|hanks to the co-operation of the Internal Affairs Department with the Defence authorities that a 'Xmas box will be the happy portion of every man who is i-altlantly serving his country in a place far removed from 'Xmas comforts.