Tribute To "Aunt Mary" Of Suva

Letter to the Editor IWAS very interested in an article in your July issue, entitled “Two Women of Suva”, featuring the fine qualities of “Aunt Mary” (Miss Mary Graburn) and Mrs. Barrack.

It is women of this type who have made distant and sparsely settled areas worth living in. The bigness of their hearts and understanding has attracted to their homes peoples of every descrip tion, and the more fortunately circum stanced have at times sought advice and sympathy.

The mention of “Aunt Mary” brought to the writer’s mind another gifted lady who, many years ago, resided near Sir Samuel Hordern’s home at Darling Point, Sydney. Like “Aunt Mary” of Suva, this good woman spent her days helping the distressed in mind and body. Nursing the sick, supplying com forts to the poor, this lady also raised money for various charities by organis ing scone, sandwich and cake-baking competitions.

Fortunately for Australia, our country towns are blessed with their own Aunt Marys. They need no memorial to per petuate their good deeds—their worth is engraved in the hearts of many thou sands who have benefited by their self sacrifice, courage and will to help those less fortunately placed than most of us.

I am, etc.,

A. D. Hannam.

Cammeray, Sydney, 12/8/1941.

Some 30 tons of Cook Islands sweet potatoes were purchased by the NZ Internal Marketing Division in August, at Id. per lb. to the grower. A larger shipment is expected to leave this month.

To raise money for the Papuan War Fund, a committee under the trustee ship of Messrs. E. A. James and E. J.

Frame, two prominent Port Moresby businessmen, proposes to conduct a series of lotteries. The first will be limited to 2,000 tickets of 2/- each, first prize being £75.

The “Two Women of Suva”, referred to in our July Issue. Mrs. Barrack is on the left and “Aunt Mary” on the right.