WOMEN’S WORKING CLUB.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 3 April 1917, Page 4

WOMEN’S WORKING CLUB.

PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS AT^THE

FRONT.

To the ordinary resident little is known of the system and organisation required in the regular of parcels of comforts to the soldiers at the front. Many of the public are as innocent as was a small boy who, on. passing the club rooms one night last week exclaimed to his companion, “Look, Bill, at all the bags of salt they’re sending to the soldiers!” The lad, in his innocence, did not understand that the “bags of salt” consisted of a towel, sox, soap, tobacco, laces soup tablet, a writing tablet, coffee and milk and raisins. These articles made up the contents of last week’s parcels to our soldiers at the front, and during last week 100 such parcels, were posted from Taihape. In th e first place the various articles are gathered together, then bound in strong calico, addressed and each forwarded per parcel post to its destination. The destinations of these parcels are many and far apart. Parcels go monthly to members of the Wireless Corps, in Mesopotamia,, the Mounted Brigade in Egypt, t iis Imperial Camel Corps, the Indian Army,, the S’lying Corps, England, Australian Imperial Forces in Prance, and to the infantry and engineering units in. France. The parcels are sent out systematically, and every member on the books of the Club has despatchedto him monthly a parcel of comforts, the contents of which are varied tosuit the season of the year. The despatch of these parcels, it will be recognised, entails a considerable amount of labour in sorting,, binding, sewing up and addressing. This humane work is being done quietly and without any limelight bya band of willing young ladies and members of the committee. Unfortunately, as with all patriotic and humanitarian work, the willing few bear more than their share of the work,, which is one that claims the attention. of every lady in the community. With the increase in the number of parcelsthe work increases proportionately,, but net so the workers. Many hands make light work, and it is hoped to see an increase in the noble band of voluntary workers. During last week, the following ladies assisted’ in the dispatch of parcels: Misses A. Bremner, Kennedy, Carpenter, J. Bremner, McDonnell. Nurs e Merritt (Ruanui Hospital). B. Thompson, C. McLauahlan. Nurse Merritt (Dr. Boyd’s Hospital), M. Coleman, Shute, M. Thompson, and Mesdames Turnbull, Miller,. McAuliffe, and Shute. MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of theTaihape Women’s Working Club washeld in the Club Rooms on Monday, 2nd April, at S p.m. Present: Mr Neagle (chair), Mesdames Shute, Knox, 'McAuliffe, Turnbull, Miss McAuliffe, Hon.. Sec., and Mr Munroe. Accounts amounting to £155 7s 5d were passed for payment. Moneys were received as follows: — “Smokes” 14/-, donation, Mr Straghan £l,. Sales 11/2, Fees, Mrs McKcowen 4/-, Fees, Mrs Timbs 10/6. During the month 356 parcels were posted to tlie front —this includes parcels for March and April. Each parcel contained flannel, sox, soap, soup tablet, handkerchief, bootlaces, and writing, pad.

The usual vote of thanks to the Chair closed the meeting.

Would anyone having the address of any boy whose name is not on the books for a parcel, kindly forward tothe Secretary. We would like the addresses of all those boys now on final leave.