"A NEW ZEALAND DIGGER."

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1918, Page 8

"A NEW ZEALAND DIGGER."

APPRECIATES Y-M.C.A. WORK. The Mayor of New Plymouth has received an anonymous letter from the New Zealand (command) Depot, Codford. England, written to "The Dear Ones by a soldier who signs himself "Just a Digger From New Zealand," in which, the writer says he is taking the liberty of writing a few items re the work of the Y.M C.A. at Camp XI., Codford . . . from the standpoint of the diggers. Two photographs of the exterior and interior of the hut are enclosed, and those in charge of the hut, who •ire to be seen in the interior picture, are Mrs. McHugh (Manaia), Miss Hamilton (England—but after the war, of New Zealand), Miss Eallantvne (Hawera and Wanganui) and Mr. Blair (secretary, from Dunedin). He suggests that the motto of the Y.M. might well be: "0-t for the hoys, no matter what tJe trouble, expense or time." Speaking of the writing room of the but, the writer says it is made as bright and cheery as possible, "so that the boys may feel at their best when writing home:" What the boys most appreciate about the whole place is the "home touch" that is produced everywhere. The ladies in charge of the canteen end of the place put all the men on a common level, and, dispensing with names or rank, address every van as "sergeant." The canteen is a great boon to the though with the shortages in certain lines of food, the restrictions are also feit there, and 110 goods containing flour in their ingredients ar£ allowed to. be sold before six o'clock in the evening. Brisk trade is done among the >boy3 up till 9 30, when the hall closes. Concerts are regularly arranged on two nights a week, to which . the boys roll up in great numbers. Saturday is a very popular night, when debates take place on topics of the day, with an occasional impromptu speech night. Social evenings are also arranged by the ladies, who entertain the men, and provide supper free to perhaps from ."<OO to 400. When this "digger" was new to the convalescent camp he was asked if he would go to the Sunday Home Hour Tea? He-replied in a nonjpnimniltsl manner, "Oh yes, I may." One digger who had been longer in camp called out "Get in early," but failing to appreciate the wisdom of the advice, he arrived on the Sunday to find it impossible to secure a scat on that, occasionA system was arranged whereby tickets vore 'riven out for the Sunday tea, but the difficulty then was to get a place in Gii' onene to eu=ai(: receiving a ticket. The '(digger" writer- secured his ticket adii participates, with about 200 others, in tlic next 'Sunday's tea. The men greatly appreciate sitting down to a nicely laid table, with cups, saucers and plntes. The writer states he believes these cups and saucers were given by the ladies' branch of the Patriotic Society. Okau, New Plymouth, and were sent through the Mayoress of New Plymouth. "If these ladies only knew," he an vs. "how much these gifts have helped the boys, they would be repaid for their work, and would be helped to mak further efforts On behalf of the Y.M.C A." The sing-song and service which follows the tea is largely attended. Prior to each draft of men going out from Codford to Sling they are given a supper the night, before leaving, and none of the men going out ever miss that supper which ta.kes, place in the private dining room of the Y.M.C.A. Concluding the writer says "It's hats off to these ladies, and no mistake, from the diggers' point of view. And its all possible only hv trio people of New Zetland providing the funds which are necessary to such

a splendid work. Apart from the work itself, it's t'.:e persona! touch that counts. The post office and savings bank of the Y-M. is ari"tl er branch of the work which greatly lielps the boys along.''