THE MINE SWEEPER.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1917, Page 7

THE MINE SWEEPER.

AN APPEAL FOR WOOLLEN CLOTHING. In consequence of an appeal in the White Ribbon, the journal of the W.C.T.U., by Mrs. Nimmo, Dominion superintendent for work among seamen, a few local ladies are interesting themselves in the collection of warm woollen garments for mine-sweepers. These men, as! everyone knows now, are engaged (luring the year in very hazardous work of swccping.rhs Noith Sea and the Jinglish Channei'for mines, which constitute a great danger to shipping. Working in small vessels, they are much exposed to the intense cold in winter time, which is now coming on. The British and Foreign Sailors' Society, London, has undertaken the task of providing the men with warm underclothing and has appealed to Now Zealand to assist. The articles most needed are heavy underpants, heavy singlets, new (or, if used, in goou\_repair) socke, Balaclavas, mufflers, mittens, etc. Last year Mrs. Nimmo was able to send a quantity of such clothing, which Lady Dinisdale, president of the Ladies' Guild of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, gratefully acknowledged in a letter in which .she wrote:—"Never have we had so many demands for men's underwear aa this year, and the beautiful warm underpants and singlets sent by you are just tlie very thing for them." A iew local ladies are, a3 already slated, interesting themselves in the matter and will be glad to receive donations for clothing or money, which may be sent to o~ left with Mrs. 11. Cocker, Devon Street. It is necessary that the goods should reach Wellington for dispatch Home at the end of October. , The British and Foreign Sailors' Society, it may be added, occupies the same place to the British Admiralty as the Y.M.C.A. does to the Army. This society is doing fine work in looking after crews rescued from the Huns' barbarity. Altogether the crews of about 350 torpedoed ships have been received into the Society's care. The demand lor clothing is very heavy, and any Union wishing to assist can send money or goods to our Superintendent for Work Among Seamen.