GIFTS FROM NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1917, Page 7

GIFTS FROM NEW PLYMOUTH.

DISTRIBUTED.;IN FRANCE. The New Plymouth Women's Patriotic Committee received many letters this returning thanks for gifts received. ; FROM FRANCE. Lieut.-Colonel E. O'Neill (ff.Z.M.G.), O.C. ;N. Z. Stationary Hospital, France, writes stating that a case of gift- goods from the Omata' Sewing Guild, and the Awakino and Okau Guilds had just come to hand' (April 4). The contents were in excellent condition, and he Wished to convey : to the donors his appreciation of their timely and thoughtful gifts. A Y.M'.C.A. official, in the course of a letter says,—"We have all to thank you very much for the wonderful lot of gifts you have sent, and which have all arrived safely. lam having a, photo sent to you that I took showing tho gifts being opened and distributed to the representativse of the different regiments. It is wonderful how the people of New Zealand work for us here, and we appreciate it very much." Over 70 postcards were received from men in various units, thanking tho committee for cakes and other gifts distributed to them by the Y.M.C.A. They all describe the cako .as "tres bon." Tho Rev. John Alban writes: "I am a Londoner, arid have come over for tea with the Now Zealand hoys, c"ome to preach at their evening service. They ,aro great boys, and New Zealand must be a great country; Your Y.M.C.A. is doiucr wonderful 'Work. Give them all the help you can. ' Thanks for the cake. Hope to meet the next lot!" There are also a. number of letters, including one from an Australian soldier. . EGYPT

Lieut-Colonel D. A. Chaytor, commandant, headquarters N.Z.E.F. Egy.pt,. writes on March ,14 as follows" "A'box of gifts-despatched by you on December'], l'M'B, for soldiers in Egypt lias been received, and has been sertt to Aotea Convalescent Home for distribution there. I thank you for all the good things you send over., They are much appreciated by the men." Trooper R. S. Carter, Mounted Rifles', writes stating that ha was the lucky one who received Mrs. Burgess' parcel. The cake had' kept .well and" was much appreciated. The matron of the Aotea New Zealand Convalescent- Home, Heliopolis, Cairo, writes to say that a gift case from the committee for the motmteds at Tel-el-Kebir was passed on to the home. "The Now Zealand Mounteds are not now-at Tel-el-Ke'uir, and as most of'the sick ones pass through Aotea the contents ot your gift caso is being issued by Us for their- benefit Some of the boys.in the home.helped with-the unpacking of the cases, and manv were the expressions' of appreciation for tho kind thought and caro shown by the New Plymouth' women for the boys at tho front. Though the New' Zealand Mounteds do not go through the acutely dangerous time that the New Zealand Infantry does in France still unless one-lived here and, knew and saw'all the hardships and continued-dis-comforts the boys have to go through all the time, one .would never know what life in Egvpt means. ■ The hard workawful thirst, the flies, dust, and lack of sleep, etc.—but they do their bit so cheerfully and continuously—we New Zealand women in Egypt always feel very proud,of the.New Zealand Mounted Brikade." ' _ . Continuing,, the matron says,:— tins home has grown from 80 patients to I*o. The house,it not a, .very big one, so we have had to overflow into large tents. We.are the only New Zealand hospital .unit left, in Egypt-for the Kew Zealand Mounteds, but the new y wounded and sick ones get well looked after at the British hospital in Cairo they come on to ns to convalesce. Besides the convalescents always in the home, we entertain all the visiting New Zealand bovs from the brigade when they ar"up -"on. leave,. ft s well as any *cw Inlanders from the "School of histruetionUnd Camel Corps They -all come here to'find their friends, and/wo often 'have "20 extra,to meals. As we are so well supported -by Wainrapa and WanganurpeopleVith funds, wj do not mly na.ve.the ordinary 'rations' to depend *n.' We, Can. always/upply as much extra-food as there is need for. The boys up on leave, etc, enjoy having a New: Zealand, honie to come to.