Achievement By Samoan

Soldiers' Mothers

Apia, October 1. rE Mothers’ Club of Apia, Samoa, was founded in 1943, when Mrs. M, Jessop, mother of 4 sons in the New Zealand armed forces, and a few other Apia ladies, realised that something should be done to welcome and assist our fighting men of Samoa when they returned home. The Mothers’ Club was formed to give “Welcome Home” func tions and collect funds to make presenta tions to returned soldiers. About 50 ladies joined the club, which gradually became a popular institution.

The attendances were particularly large and credit is due to the organising genius of Mrs. M. Jessop, Mrs. C. King, Mrs.

Godinet and their willing band of hard workers.

The Mothers’ Club, terminating its war activities, announced the results of 3 years’ war service. Of a total of £1,051 collected by the Club, the Club paid out £492 in expenses for dances and enter tainments, while the balance of £559 was presented to soldiers from Samoa. The families of 4 soldiers killed in action received £lO each, and 25 soldiers received £lO each on their return home. 10 soldier sons of members, not returned home, received £lO each. 19 sons of parents in Samoa (non-members of the Club) re

ceived £5 each. In all 59 soldiers from Samoa received presentations. The Mothers’ Club donated £1 each to Samoan boys' who enlisted in Fiji, and made a contribution of £5O towards the Apia Ex- Servicemen’s Associations’ Memorial Tablet.