PATRIOTIC WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1916, Page 3

PATRIOTIC WORK.

CHRISTMAS PARCELS. Tlie oilort of tlie Women's I'::ti iotic league to -provide Christina* parrels for men at the front lias met with much success, mid tlie Mayoress d.tstios u- to express lier warmest thanks to those who have shown their practical sympathy with tlie cause. Thirty .large packing cases were consigned tiie Y.AI.C.A. These were crammed with gifts of every description. Kigiitecn gift parcels were included in every ease. The total numbsr of oirctls sent was nearly COO, while as r < j £irds cakes, the Raliotu eases each contained eighteen sealed cans. The parcels each contained cigarettes, sweets, lemonade crystals, handkerchiefs, writ'ng materials, foods, and many other article?.

In addition to tile gift iwols and cakes, the spare space in every packing case was utilised for chocolate (lib tins), confectionery (141b tins), or else sardines, meat paste, canned fruits, condensed milk, milk, and so on. For the purchase of pipes, tobacco and cigarettes tlie sum of £SO was sent to the British Empire Tobacco Company, made up as follows:—Rahotu £ll, -Ngaere £lO, Egmont Village £5, Tariki £5, collected for Maori soldiers £B. The tobacco, etc,, will be forwarded to the Y.M.C.A. by the company. Particulars of the cases forwarded are: "Our boys" in Egypt: Four case" (including one from Omata Sewing Guild). Maori soldiers at the front. Two ca?es. New Zealand Hospital, Etaples, France: Two cases (from the Rahotu lad.'es). "Our boys" in France: Twenty tases, including one each from the Omata Sewing Guild, Rahotu ladies, Okau, Hillsborough, Tariki, Ngaere, Pungarehu, Egmont Village, and junior associates of the Victoria, League. Seven boxes of butter weie also sent. With each parcel a little golliwog, in Belgian colors, was attached to a card bearing the best wishes cf the donor. Oil the card was printed:— "This little Belgian golliwog I'm sending you for luck Please wear him, and I hope success Will crown your British pluck." SOLDIERS' COMFORTS WEEK. Now that the "Week" is ranidly approaching, interest is growing apace. The procession, with its decorative displays by trades unions, local bodies, and private individuals, is exciting comment and practical interest, and some of the displays promise to be specially attractive and well worth seeing. A good deal of mystery attaches to tlie "B.P.'P.'P.'s" in this connection, but Monday, October 23, will doubtless clear the air. Then the Women's Patriotic Committee, who always do things thoroughly, are to he to the fore at Pukekura Park, offering enticing bargains to patrons. They will have tea pavilions, sweets, soft drinks, and jumble stalls, and side shows innumerable. The boats on the lake have been placed at the disposal of the committee, and they are sure to reap a harvest. During the afternoon the school children are to give sundry displays of a spectacular character. The fete will be carried on into the evening, and the park, right up to the bandstand and the environs of the lake, will he brilliantly lit by electricity. The Ladies' Committee ask that contributions to the stalls be handed in at their rooms, and in the case of "perishable*," that they be brought to the "''Roc." on the morning of the fete, if possible. Tuesday night, the. 24th, is allotted to tlie Citizen's Band and friends to give a novelty concert in the Coronation Hall, but details will be given later concerning this. It might, however, be mentioned that Mrs. Bashani, of Eltham, has intimated her willingness to come along and assist. The other attractions for the "Week" will be outlined in a future issue. ELTHAM MOTOR AMBULANCE FUND Mrs. H. J. Barnard wishes to acknowledge the following additional contributions to the Ambulance Fund:—Previously acknowledged, £563 13s; "Sympathiser," £1; R.S., ss; Mrs. A. Hunger, £1; Miss Freda Hunger, 10s; E. R. Hunger, 10s; M.D. £1; Thos. Linn (second donation), £1; Ella Trolove, 2s fid; Tui Trolove, 2s Gd; Nora Trolove, 2s Gd; 'Richard Trolove, 2s (id; F. H. Watts (Mangatoki), £1 Is; Mrs. R. H. Boyle, £2; "Sympathiser" (third donation), £1; G. W. Mackay, as; E. Parrott, £1; 8 J. Anderson (second donation), 2s fid; Mrs. Gernhoefer, 2s (id; Mrs. J.W.H., ss; E.D.S., 2s 0d; Miss Mollie Thompson, ss; Miss Lucy Midgley. Is; Ralph Midgley, Is; Miss May Andrews, -2s fid; Mrs, McPI-ail (second donation), 3s; E. G. Harding, as; Sunday School children (per Mrs. Wood), ss; "Patriotic," £1; three Mangatoki (second donation), 10s; J, Best (second donation), £2; Mrs. Swincllehurst, ss; "Sympathiser'' (second donation), is Od; total, £SBO 0s (id.

Mr. .1, W. 11. Martin asks us to state that he will attend the next L'renni and Stony River stock sales for the purpose of receiving orders for "Christmas smokes" for our boys at the front. Three shillings, with name and address, oi soldier, is essential with each order. At the Soldiers' Club yesterday efternoon a goodly number of returned soldiers and men now on leave were entertained by the members of Mrs. Woods' orchestra with some very enjoyable musical selections, which iverc heartily appreciated by those present. Afterwards afternoon tea, providpd as usual by members of the Women's Patriotic Committee, was partaken of. Mrs. C. H. Burgess lias received a gift of three forms from Messrs Henry Brown & Co., for the meeting room at the ■Soldiers' Club, As the revenue for the upkeep of the club will in future be largely dependent upon the rent received from the societies who use the rooms I'm meeting purposes, it w hoped that other donations of forms, chairs and tables will be made, so that the rooms may be comfortably furnished to meet tile requirements.

Tlie noldiers' Club commit,toe acknowledge the gift of a. ease o" hooks from Mr. Thomas Knowles, Breakwater Hotel.

Tlu> Red Cross Mart will be open as usual to-day, and the committee again appeal for contributions of saleable articles or cash, to aid t!ie funds for the relief -of wounded soldiers. It is hoped this public will respond with their customary generosity. ■A basket social was held at the Frankley "Road school gymnasium on Thursday evening, the proceeds being in aid of the I'elgian and Serbian fund'. There was a large attendance. Mr. T. Roulton, .jun., provided the music, and extras were played by Misses Hare and Sole, Mrs. Worn, and Mr. Hoskin. Messrs Ij. Boswell and 1.. Newell performed the duties of M.C.'s. During the evening vocal items were rendered by Miss Jirury and Messrs Russell and Hoskin, land Mr. Patterson gave » sailor's hoia*

pipe. Miss Ruby Allen made a large number of buttonholes, and soH them, realising 14s. Mr. L. B. Webster acted as auctioneer in tlie disposal of the laskets and transacted splendid business. The committee was as. follows- Mesdames F. Newell, F. Baker, Yates, Hoskin, E. 5. Allen, F. Boulton, A. I ister, and Miss R. Allen, Messrs F Newell (chairman), F. Boulton, F. .Boulton, jun., O. J. Kendall, J. Hamilton, ,T. Hamilton, jun., Lehrke, A. Lister (treasurer), Hosfcin, L. .Newell, L. Boswell. The total proceeds amounted to £3O lis. A well-attended meeting of those willing'to help in the street'and hcuse-to-house eollcction on Ked Cross Day (Saturday, October 21) was held on Thursday evening. Collectors were appointed for most of the streets, b;;t a few have still to be. arranged for Tlie complete list of collectors will be published later. The Franklev Road sale of prodi ce, flowers, etc., will take place in Devon Street to-day, headquarters at imimry's corner. All proceeds will be devoted to the Belgian and Serbian Relief Funds. A number of sittings of pm'-:-bred White, Leghorn eggs, and also a -calf and a lamb, will be on sple. The Women's Patriotic Committee' will co-operate in the sale, there no special "flowar day," but gifts of .'flowers will be welcome.