IN NEW ZEALAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8206, 2 August 1915, Page 7

IN NEW ZEALAND.

HOSPITALS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS.

ARRANGEMENTS IN ENGLAND

EXCELLENT PROVISION MADE

WELLINGTON, August 1. The care of the New Zealand wounded in England has been, undertaken in no haphazard way. Soon after the war broke out and it was known that New Zealanders were going to the front, an organisation was set up in London to deal with this matter. The New Zealand Defence Minister (the Hon. James Allen) has received a full report from the High Commissioner of what has been done. It appears that the arrangements are excellent.

Through the generosity of Lord .and Lady Islington the committee was offered their house in Chesterfield .Gardens, fully equipped for a hospital, Eventually the committee was informed" by the Imperial authorities -that suffi-

lent hospital accommodation had. already . been obtained. Attention -.was* therefore devoted to the obtaining of. a convalescent home, and a special committee was set up to deal with the numerous generous offers which had been received from ladies and gentlemen who had offered their houses for the purpose. Choice fell eventually upon the offer of Sir Frederick Cook and Sir George Prognell, who placed at the disposal of the committee a wing of their clubhouse, the Ravensbourne Club, at Lee, Kent. In this club there were available about 100 bedrooms, fitted with hot and cold water, bathrooms, a large tepid swimming bath, sitting-rooms, dining-^oom, smokingroom, billiard-room, library, and gymnasium, whilst in the grounds wei'e covered tennis courts, a football ground, a miniature rifle range, and so forth. The cost per head to the association per week for board and lodging would be 21s.

On May 31 the Defence Minister 7-ft^cived a cablegram from the High Commissioner, stating that the New Zealand War Contingent Association hnd pnspfirt a resolution that an excellent building was available for an auxiliary hospital for at least 100 men, nnd that the estimated cost and equipment for carrying on for one year was €12.000. The Home Government agreed to contribute equivalent to pKOOO and the New Zealand Association in London £3000 if the Government of New Zealand would subscribe the remaining £3000. The War Office highly recommended an auxiliary hospital instead of the convalescent home.. On June 2 the Defenco Minister cabled a reply that New.Zealand would contribute the £300Q, and he added that as the association had abandoned the convalescent home he assumed that ample provision had been made for convalescent New Zealanders. The hospital is at Mount Felix, Walton-oa-Thames, about 17 miles from London. Lt overlooks the river, and is enclosed in beautif ully-laid-out grounds of about 20 acres, lt is on two floors, and concans iiO large and lofty rooms. A concert hall is also available. The ground iloor accommodates 45 beds, and the upper floor about the same number. There are an operating theatre, a sterilising room, and an X-ray department, and all other necessary requirements are provided. Dr. Bernard Myers, brother of Mr A. Myers, M.P., is the honorary medical officer in charge. Serious cases are not- sent to the hospital.