HONOUR FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 68, 20 March 1915, Page 4

HONOUR FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Yesterday a. cable message informed ue that King Albert of Belgium has conferred a pereonal decoration of merit, the Order of Leopold, upon. " Miss Beatrice DormeT Maunder, of Rangitikei, i-n re-cognittoir-«f -fer services to the Belgian Army. Such a distinction as this, usually reserved for those who have" performed eminent services for their country either on tte battlefield or in tihe more peaceful Bpheras of science and literature, is a high honour to ite .recipient; and as she is a New Zealander, it should' interest out readers to know something of the nature of - the • work which ihas secured such honourable and gratifying , recognition from one of the nrost (heroic characters of the age. Maunder is the daughter of the late Mr. George Maunder, an oJd Rangitikw settler, and being a trained nurse she was engaged in ttier professional work in England when ih© wax broke out Early in the campaign 6'hc went over to Ostend with a party organised by Lady Paget to open a refuge for Belgian women and children in the famous Kursaal. But the influx of wounded Belgian soldiers compelled the organisers to alteT their plans, and Miss Maunder took a leading part in transforming the Kursaal and also the Hotel Continental into a military hospital. When the Germans occupied Ostend, Miss Maunder returned for th P . time to England. But she was recognised by the Belgian authorities ac an exceptionally able organiser and administrator, and she was requested by General de Selliers, the Inspector-General of the Belgian Army, to establish a hospital for Belgian soldiers at (Rouen. By great efforts on the part of Msis Maunder, who received enthusiastic support from the French, local authorities, one of the largest public schools in Rouen was converted into the King Albert Hospital, and it was formerly opened on December 26th last by the Belgian Minister for War. The ceremonial is described at great length in the principal Rouen newspaper of that date, and the article gives high praise to Miss Maunder for her indefatigable energy and the exceptional ability she has shown in overcoming the immense number of practical and financial difficulties that beset such an undertaking, especially in war-time. • Originally there was accommodation for about 200 soldiers; but the hospital is now enlarged, and can receive four or five hundred. As it is conducted under the direct control of the Belgian War Office, its efficiency is guaranteed; and its success has attracted attention in many influential quarters. The final recognition of Miss Maunders courage, enterprise, and ability is the Order of Merit that the King of Belgium has now conferred upon her; and this unique distinction is not only an honour to her, but to heT country and her .compii.trjots. By organising the various hospitals she hae controlled, and by working them up "to a high state of efficiency, Miss Maunder has achieved' a very remarkable feat, which reflects infinite credit upon her. The honour she has received must naturally be tt source of great satisfaction to- her friends. -. - But it is alsoa most gratifying "illustration of that independence, initiative, and force ol character which seem to belong to most of the younger generations born and bred under "colonial" auspices, and- which no New Zealander has ever .better exemplified than Miss Maunder. Xew Zealandors everywhere should join in congratulating her. and in wishing her success in the noble and self-sacrificing duties she has undertaken.