HOSPITAL SHIP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8206, 2 August 1915, Page 6

HOSPITAL SHIP.

SURPLUS FUNDS

STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR

WELLINGTON, August 1

In connection with the Hospital snip Fund a letter from his Excellency, the Governor states that the actual amount subscribed to the fund amounted' to £47.548 17s r which far. exceeded .his Excellency's expectations. The. actual amount expended in equipment will be approximately £16,0i>0. In many instancsfi articles which it was never thought likely would be forwarded were donated, with the result that equipment was carried out at considerably less cost than was anticipated. j His Excellency further states that he thought it desirable to call in certaijn gentlemen to assist him with their advice as to the administration of the surplus. These gentlemen are the Hon;, J. Allen, Mr A. Myers, BrigadierGeneral A. Robin, and their Worships the Mayors of Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The letter adds:—"l have during the last few weeks been in close communication with all the centres abroad where our wounded are located, and have got definite information that they are receiving every attention. This has bcsn further confirmed by personal letters from the men to myself, and where men have been scattered, arrangements have been made to keep in close touch with them wherever it is possible. "I propose to devote my chief attention at the present time to those sick and wounded at present in England. Lord Plunket, who is chairman of the New Zealand Committee in Great Britain for assisting our sick and wounded, has acquired an auxiliary i hospital at Walton-on-Thames, called iVlounc Felix, which will accommodate some IXO beds, but which he assures me can be extended to carry 300 or 400 beds, and which needs considerable support. He further adds that this scheme has the full concurrence of the Army Council. Let ,it be distinctly borne in mind that th"o Imperial Government has . made adequate arrangements for the tare of New Zealand sick and wounded, but it cannot necessarily guarantee that they can be located in one hospital, and it is for Uiis reason the New Zealanders have started this institution, which is assisted by the New Zealand Government, cue Imperial Government, and private eon-, fcributions. It is readily understood that it is a great boon to the wounded to bo associated with their own comrade's."

His Excellency concludes: —"As the hoad of the Order of St. John in New Zealnnd, I have much pleasure in thanking the several shipping companies which trade direct with the United Kingdom from New Zealand for having so generously carried various hospital requirements free. Since the commencement of the war the P. and O. and Orient Companies have allotted certain spa^e for tho same purpose, and all applications should be sent to the Under-Secretory for Internal Affairs, Wellington, who will ascertain when mul how the goods can be despatched."