PEACE WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 69, 22 March 1928, Page 19

PEACE WORK.

STILL CARRYING ON. EED CROSS SOCIETY'S BBCPHP MANY EX-SOLDIERS BENEFIT. Soma 80S ex-service men were under treatment in the various institutions conducted by the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John, according to a return furnished by the Pensions Department. The details, which were presented at the annual meeting of the Dominion Council of that organisation yesterday afternoon, showed that in-patients numbered there being 102 in the Auckland district, 80 in Wellington, 136 in Canterbury and 48 in Otajro. Outpatients numbered 483, Auckland district having 106, Wellington 113, Canterbury 130 and Otago 44. According to particulars furnished by their respective centres, the society is 1 earing for 006 patients. The substantial 1 difference in the fitrures was explained bv the fact that the society extended its benefits to all ex-service men under tieatment, whereas the department took eosnisance of only such cases whose disability was proved to be attributable to war service. In the four main centres convalescent homes are maintained at which exservice men suffering from permanent or recurring disability as the result of war service are under treatment. During the nine months ended December 31~. 1027, accommodation in those homes was in constant demand. The average number in the institution was: Evelyn Firth Home, Auckland, 16; Mowai Home. Wellington, 24; Rannerdale Home, Christchurch. 20, and Montecillo Home, Dunedin, 1". a total of 77. The amount expended on those homes during the period was £1965, including administrative costs. At all hospitals and sanatoria throughout the Dominion where ex-service men are being cared for. Red Cross activity has been well maintained. The Dominion expenditure on extra comforts supplied to ex-servicemen at the various hospitals during the niite months was £8191. I

In all districts there had been considerable expansion in the work of Red Cross nurses, the report continued. Indeed, difficulty was beinir experienced in coping with the rapidly increasing work. In districts such as Canterbury and Taranaki where the activities of the nurses were widely scattered, it had been found necessary to furnish the nurses with cars. Sickness and distress were very largely contributed to by the depression through which the country passed and heavy calls were imposed on Red Cross nurses and the committees snpporting them. Satisfactory results were recorded in the important sphere of instructional activity.

The balance-sheet disclosed that the accumulated fund account stands at £.14,402, less exxcess of expenditure over revenue of £93, leaving a balance of £34,308.