A NATIONAL SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 239, 6 October 1916, Page 7

A NATIONAL SERVICE.

AMBULAKCE AND RED CROSS 'WORK. AUCKLAND'S ORGANISATIONS. [Paragraphs of interest from workers of Sc John and kindred organisations would be appreciated. Send to "Brigade Reporter," Box lOhl, b-y Thursday of eacO west. J

S-LAJ3. NURSING DIVISION, ONEHUNGA. The annual meeting was held last week. The report, which was read by the secretary, showed a most satisfactory year's work. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the lady superintendent, Mrs. Bassett, and her officers for their continued interest in the work oi the Division. The sum of £4 was forwarded to Mrs. Smith, Corps lady superintendent, for bandages to help with the equipment of the hospital ship Marama. Miss H. Browne resigned her position as treasurer of the Queen Mary Sewing Guild, and Mrs. F. Davies was elected to the position. DEVONPORT NURSING DIVISION. The annual inspection took place last Wednesday evening, there being a good, muster. Mr. C. J. Tunks, AssistantCommissioner, was unable to be present, but Mrs. Smith (Lady Corps Superintendent), was in attendance. Dr. Knight conducted the re-examination, and all members were successful in passing. This evidence of continued enthusiasm is very pleasing.

The Devonport Division's activities in regard to the Convalescent Hospital are being maintained. The Division supply the staff, and the work is most capably done. There are six "boys 7 ' in residence just now. and they are making good progress. Visiting days are Wednesdays and Sundays, and very many people go to see the lads. To many visitors who go for the first time the extent of the voluntary work done is a_s s-urprisinj? as it is pleasing. They can see that the sick and wounded heroes will receive careful attention, and that the hospital has a lanre bedding capacity as the summer months arrive, and full advantage can be taken of its accommodation.

The combined depot of the British Red Cross and St. John Ambulance Association is now In full working order, and a visit to-day showed that there is much work being done and a great deal of material being received. The depot's wants are many, especially woollen goods. Old linen (washed) is required, as are magazines and periodicals in good condition. The goods not wanted are bandages, splints, nightingales, and sandbags. Gifts are now being received, sorted and packed for the hospital ship Marama. and for dispatch direct to London. These are thankfully received. The depot is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except Saturdays, 10 to 12. Great activity is in progress to make a success of "Our Day," which will be observed throughout the Empire. At the depot it will take the form of a gift day to celebrate the formal opening of the premises kindly lent by Messrs. John Court, Ltd. Each visitor is supposed to bring a gift. and the work sent in will be on exhibition. The needs of the sick and wounded during the winter will be explained. Visitors will be able to obtain refreshments at a smaE charge.

On Monday next Mr. T. M. Wilford, the genial member for Hutt. will lecture in the Town Hall on "The War From All Fronts." the proceeds going to "Our Bay" funds. Apart from the splendid object (for providing comforts absolutely necessary to our lads in the frozen fields of France), the lecture is well worth hearing. Mr. Wilford has made a study of the subject, and his trip Home, about four years ago, provided him with much material on which, to oase an accurate forecast of the coming conflict. He is an excellent speaker, and iUustrates his points with blackboard sketches. In a characteristic telegram answering inquiry as to his requirements, Mr. Wilford only asked a towel to nib off chalk and an audience. He brings Ms own blackboard. At one shilling admission Auckland should provide an audience that will bring joy to the hearts of the combined workers. Meantime, as an earnest of a good attendance, the secretary would like the public to call and buy a shilling ticket at the depot. Every shilling helps. Miss Bagiey. of the l'-rbfic Health Department, visited the Nursing Division rooms on Tuesday, when a large number of workera were engaged in packing parcels for the Marama hospital ship. She expressed herself as highly pleased with the organisation, and said that the work done was splendid, that It was up to hospital standard, and could not be better done anywhere. Coming from so highly-qualified an authority, this praise cannot fail to give pleasure to Mrs. ' Smith and her enthusiastic coworkers. The Queen Mary Guild has just sent seven cases to headquarters, London, for our sick and wounded soldiers, and one for the poor of Loudon. The latter consisted mostly ou children's clothes.

The Guild is asking for pyjamas, nightshirts, bed-jackets (not taped), and nhrbtsbirts made of thin flannel or win-

cey, not cotton, day-shirts, flannel vests, flannel pants, handkerchiefs, comfort bags, towels, sheets, coloured cushions, feather pillows, old linen, blankets, pillow cases, and day socks. The official weekly statement, just received from Home, states that it is advisable to start preparing for our possible winter requirements, and amongst those things most likely to be wanted are cardigans, helmets, woollen caps, and bedsocks. Any of the goods mentioned can be forwarded to the Ambulance Station, and full details of sizes, etc., will gladly be given by letter or personaDy. The summary of stores for week ending August sth show that 334 hospitals in Great Britain were supplied with 537 ' cases of stores, and that 1749 cases were dispatched abroad, as follows:—Boulogne, 1066: Malta. 208; Alexandria, 231; Rouen, 48; Berne, 96; French Red Cross, 32: various, 18. The Corps Superintendent of &J & B. mentions that the cases of gifts sent by the Queen Mary Guild are conveyed free of freight by the Commonwealth, and Bominion line, through the local agents, Messrs. Heather, Roberton and Co. The New Zealand Insurance Co. insure these goods free of ail charges. The last shipment was valued at £450, and the freight and insurance would have totalled over £30, so that the patriotic action of these companies represents a ver-j substantial donation to the sick and wounded.