HOSPITAL SHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 309, 29 December 1915, Page 9

HOSPITAL SHIPS.

ABRIVALS AT ALEXANDRA. MOURNFUL BUT IMPRESSIVE SIGHT. j "The arrival at Alexandria docks of a hospital ship from the Dardanelles," writes Major Bar,lay, of tlie New Zealand Engineers, "was to mi an interesting although at the same t/itne a mournful sight. As the huge lifter which had been converted to the purpose of hospital work, with her 7UO-odd /patients, was iuoved to the quay, she /was met by a small army oi* vehicles, 'loth motor and horse draft, all bearing t/be red cross—a few displaying the tri-colour of France, and some again exhibiting the words "New Zealand Expeditionary Force'"— words which, to any i New Zealander amongst the sick and / wounded, must have brought a thrill if pleasure and a vision of horn.'. This t/ransport was provided for the conveyance of a certain number of patients to/the local hospitals, while for those who Were to be conveyed to Cairo ani other pl/aces where m.litary hospitals also exist, /two hospital trains were in waiting only/some 30 or 40 yards away—trains of nicejiy appointed vehicles . displaying on their/ white-painted sides i tie red ci escent which in Mohammedan lands takes the place of the red cross so j familiar to us. With every expedition I yet at the same /time without any relaxation of care, the local eases were transferred to pc waiting vehicles. 1 while those who pere to make the railway journey werk placed in the trains, which were ready to depart as soon as the loading had foeen completed. ."A familiar h'fcure on the quays and one to be seen I upon the arrival of all hospital ships, mas that of Lady '.'arnarvon. who. wifth her willing assistants, ascertained thaJ the comforts of the men were looked afr/er, and that soup, tea or coffee was supplied where required. In this connectioJi the Red Cross buffets have been of/inestimable value in enabling refreshments to be issued to those requiring same. The sick and wounded who travel h\l rail are well looked after on the journey. Accommodation is provided ior all cot cases, and a medical officer, nursi-ig sister and staff of orderlies and natives accompany each train. Reading inau'ria] is supplied prior to the departure ofl the train by some of those persons who/ give their voluntary aid for the keep of (the defenders of the Empire. "Very i«w arrivals are missed by Chaplain-Captain Green (S.A), who has a great faculty for speedily finding out the New Zealanders and satisfying himself thEt /they are receiving that care and attention which is their due."' ■f