THE SILENCE BROKEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 146, 21 June 1915, Page 7

THE SILENCE BROKEN.

GOVERNMENT A7/D WOUNDED

LOCAL BOAKD TO CONTROL HOSPIT.'iL CASES.

COST TO BVj REFUNDED IF

T/ESIRED.

In response to the many telegrams to the Defence Department .pleading for definite, information as to local responsibility in tb/fe care of the wounded in that /arrangements may be made, tho Government has at 'last announced •its intentions.

At a special meeting of the Auckland Hospitaj and Charitable Aid Board this morning a letter was received from the. Inspec.tor-General of 'Hospitals (Dr. Valiii.f hie) intimating tihat of the 2(53 men -arriving By tlio Willoolini some 22 probably will be sent to Auckland, and thr<t the department looks to the Hospital to provide the necessarj- accommodation for the wounded as they arrive. / The letter also appears to indicate ■fchat first call for convalescent home accommodation will be made upon the Hospital Board, pursuant to the request recently made by the Health Department that the local Boards should appeal for convalescent home accommodation.

The immediate position is that accommodation for 100 men requiring surgical aid is ready at the General Hospital, Barstow House, Epsom, belonging to the Hospital Board, will he immediately equipped as a convalescent home, containing 40 beds, the Knox Home and the Sailors' Home, have respectively offered 20 and 20 beds to the Board and t/here is further hospital accommodation at Point Chevalier. In addition, offers of a largp number of beds in private hospitals have been conveyed to the Government through the Mayor of Auckland.

Whether the cost of treating the wounded and caring for the convalescent will be borne out "of local or national charges is not clear, the Inspector-Gene-ral's letter intimating that, the Government win pay a maintenance fee "if it is desired.' .

Contributions continue to come to band in connection with the 'Xlayor's appeal, although to-day's list is not a lon<; one. The total is over £30,000.

Tho Hon. Jamej Allen (Minister of Defence) has replied to Mr. Arthur if. Myers, M.P.. expressing tho grateful appreciation of the Government for Mt, Wen?l .Scholium's generous offer to place the Waiwern. Hot Springs Hotel at the disposal of the authorities as a home for convalescent soldiers. Mr. Allen states that he is Kri"ging the proposal before the Hon. Mr Rhodes, who is dealing with these matters on his •behalf.

POSITION FURTHER DEFINED. JOINT CIVIL AXD MILITABY CONTROL. FUNCTIONS OF CITIZENS' FUNDS. Tho position in regard to the rare ?of the wouindod is further definod by a.tfelcjrram received from the Minister for Defence, by tho Mayor of Auckland (Mr. J. H. Gunson) to-ilny. Tiic raeeeago is in reply to a telegram, intinmting tleiit the Mayor anj tile chairman of fche llospital BoaTd had c-onfenrort, and aakincf fnr information for the friiidanee of both the Hoepit.il Board and the conrmittoe controlling the funds by the public.

"Civil and military authorities have now been recognised," etated the telegram, '"and will work as one. AH .retirrned sick and wounded necessary to accommodate an hospitals and convalescent ihomes will be under the control of the Chief Health Officer, who v.ill arrange with Hospital Boards concerned. The Chief Health Officer will gladly consider offers from citizens tc equipping of any convalescent ironies lie may require in tho various districts."