MOTUEKA ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

In submitting.the half-yearly report and balance-sheet to December. 31st, 1915, the Motueka Committee wish to thank all those who have in various ways contributed to the success of the lied Cross in Motueika. Special thanks are due to those ladies who are responj sible for receiving the monthly subscriptions in the outlying districts, viz., Miss Desaunais (Lower Moutere), Mrs Townsend' (Aporo), Miss Green (Pokororo), Miss Chapman (Pangatotara), Miss Drummond (Bnaeburn), Miss Cato ; Mesdames Guy and Strachan (Ngatimoti), Mrs Kavanagh (Riwaka), Miss Fry (Umukuri). Special thanks are also due to the Trustees of the Noden Estate, who have so generously given the branch the use of the late Mi's Noden's residence, which has been fitted up as a workroom, sewing machines, tables, etc., being supplied by members of the committee and others. The rooms are open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 2.30 till 5 p.m. for the 'nuikirig-up- of garments Cut-out garments are given out on these days to those desirous of sewing in their own homes. The rooms are under the able management of Mesdames Deck, Mace, and Jaques, who are also responsible for the buying and cutting out of material. Two cases of Red Cross goods have been sent forward, advice having been%x«ived from Mr Hislop, Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, that the Red Cross goods were sent by transports to the Meditor ranean hospitals. In addition to the cases, £240, representing £40 monthly, has been forwarded to Christchurch, and from there to St. John's Gate, London, as the Motueka contribution, for which receipts have been received; £180 8s lid was collected for the first and second hospital ships; £204 Is 2d for Lord Lansdowne's special appeal on October 21st and £195 10s has been received as the result of entertainments, garden party, etc. These sums, with donations and regular subscriptions, represent a total of £718 3s Id for the seven months ending December 31st that the association has been in existence. In answer to an appeal for sandbags for the front, basic slag and cemen. bags have been received -at the -fled Cross rooms. These have not been acknowledged owing to -the, donors^ being unknown. Special thanks ere due to the Riwaka Boy Scouts, who have done cn>od work in collecting baas, and to the Slotueka Boy Scouts, who hnfre been $) good in assisting whenever called ■ UlThe committee also wish to include tho Press (Motuoka and Nelson) W those deserving special thanks, ineir kindness in furthering the interests oi the association has been unlimited. To the Rev. Mr Vesper, who has oive the t:pe of the Anglican Schoolroom for all meetings, and to Mr Blander who is acting as auditor the oomrcittee desire to extend thanks. i \ letter has been received from the 1 Christchurch Centre conveying its appreciation of the work of subscribers since the outbreak of war, which m many districts has been very hmvy. The audited balance-sheet ot bu John Ambulance Association shows the receipts to have been £537 14s 2d (m----cludin" a balance of £6 from the first hospital ship fund), and the expenditure £499 ISs sd, leaving a balance of £61 ]5 S 9d. The expenditure included £204 Is 9d for the Special Appeal J)aj (I.ord Lansdowne), and £240 to the bt. John Ambulance Association-(Red-Cross Branch), Christchurcb. The audited balance-sheet ot the second hospital ship fund shows the contributions to have been £38 4s bd, and the expenditure the same amount. The Minister for Internal Affairs received £12 14s lOd.