HOSPITAL DELICACIES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 155, 1 July 1919, Page 10

HOSPITAL DELICACIES.

IS EQUIPMENT EXTRA COMFORTS ? COLONEL PARKES' EXPLANATION. The Auckland Patriotic Association having recently criticised the disbursement of patriotic funds placed in the hands of Colonel \V. 11. Parkes, C.M.G.. inasmuch as part of the moneys intended to provide delicacies for the New Zealand hospitals in England had been expended upon special equipment, Col. Parkes has written to the Association explaining the expenditure. The letter, which was read at yesterday afternoon's meeting of the executive of the Patriotic Association, stated that the writer regretted exceedingly that the committee was disappointed with the disbursement. The provision of delicacies had by no means been overlooked, for from the funds placed at his disposal £750 had been allotted to the New Zealand hospitals at Brockenhurst, Walton-on-Thames. Codford and Hornchurch. In addition a further sum of £710 was expended on a special distribution of Christmas cakes to these hospitals. It was quite evident, therefore, that although the moneys were not shown as expended on consumable comforts these were adequately and liberally provided for from funds passing through his hands, and it was a mere question of bookkeeping as to which account the respective ' disbursements should be debited. However, in view of the opinion

expressed by the Association he had raused to be paid out of other funds the cost of the mobile X-ray outfit purchased for Brockenhurst, and remitted bank draft for £274. being the balance at credit of the Association's special account. The letter proceeded to point out that the term "extra comforts'' applied to special equipment which contributed to the comfort and well-being of the patients, and it was not specified by the committee that the money was to be restricted to consumable arthles. Colonel Parkes added that from long administrative experience he was convinced that the expenditure had been amnly justified. The committee decided to intimate that while the committee disagreed with the purchase of the special equipment it desired to express its appreeiatior of Colonel Parkes' services in connection ■with the disbursement of comforts.