HELPING THE “DIGGERS”.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1921, Page 6

HELPING THE “DIGGERS”.

j OVER A MILLION MEALS. MR. R. H. NOLAN’S WORK. . . A public welcome was given a very old resident of Hawera, Mr. R. H. Nolan, on Monday night, as briefly reported yesterday. The Mayor (Mr. Dixon) said that it had been his privilege while holding the office of Mayor to welcome to Hawera many great public men, soldiers, generals, and even the Prince of A Vales. All these men were worthy, but none were more worthy than their esteemed townsman, Mr. Nolan. Mr. Nolan did not go and fight, but the actual work he Ijad done in London for our boys was magnificent. A letter had been received from Mr. Nolan while he was in England stating that 35,246 beds had been provided for soldiers, and only one man had been arrested for misbehaviour. This reflected great credit on the work as well as the men. Between 50 and 70 men a day were being received, which gave some idea of the magnitude of the work. Mr. Nolan, continued Mr. Dixon, had come back to them not quite as strong a man physically, but he hoped that he would disappoint the doctors this time, and that the bracing Taranaki air would set him right and would permit his stay among them being longer than at present anticipated.

Referring to the work of the club, Mr. Nolan, in reply, said that when they first thought of the scheme Qiey did not expect many more reinforcements to arrive, but as the work grew the necessity for further funds became evident. Uie club was opened on August 2, 1916, andzbetween that date and its closing, two years and ten months later, they setyed 1,081,0(h) meals and provided 223,000 beds. No “Digger,” said Mr. Nolan, could say that he had not received a good meal; in fact, the general opinion was that they had received a “jolly good binder.” Eggs, sausages and potatoes were most in demand, and as much as £l4OO had been paid in one moifth alone for eggs. Mr. Nolan said that the total amour.l expended on the club by the Government was £4531, and one official had told him that it was the best investment the Government had ever made.