"GRIM REALITY"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 34, 10 February 1943, Page 5

"GRIM REALITY"

NURSING WOUNDED

APPRECIATING RETURNED MEN

A Dunedin nurse in the Middle East tells something of the grim realities of war. "All my wards are full," she writes, "and by the time daylight comes I have to try and go faster and faster, and never come off duty less than half an hour late. "We have had battle casualties in during the last few days. These chaps have only been wounded a week ago, and oh! they are so ill. We had seven operation cases the first morning after they arrived, and sister and I will never forget that night, with all four blocks to be carefully watched. "How I do admire the pluck and courage of these chaps—it is absolutely colossal! One lad had a fair bit of his face blown away, legs and arms badly wounded, and shrapnel in his chest and shoulder. He is on the dangerously ill list, and yet he said to me, 'Do you know, nurse, I'm very lucky.' Lucky, he said—the tears just ran down my face. "Somehow at night one gets to know these chaps better, and how grateful they are for the smallest thing. No, I don't mind or care how tired I am or how hard I work— they are worth it. We have a great Maori captain in just now, who also reckons he is very lucky, and as I look at him I cannot but marvel at his words. "How I do hope New Zealand will appreciate the sterling worth of her men when they return home. Yes, we are now right up against and working with, the grim realities of war. We wish that more girls could be sent from New Zealand, We could do with many more."

PROTECTION SOCIETY PENSIONS FOR CHILDREN

The Rev. J. D. Smith was unanimously, elected chairman of the executive committee of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children at the first meeting of the year held in the society's offices recently, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Mr. Dawson Donaldson, J.P. Arrangements were completed for sending to the Ministers concerned, the remits adopted by the recent conference of branches of the society. The position of civilian widows has aroused considerable public interest, and the society's request for increased pensions for the children is being supported by evidence of the difficulty encountered by widows who are unable to supplement their benefits by earnings. Reports of the case work for December and January were received from the secretary and inspector, sovering a total of 166 cases receiving attention. Of these 79 were new applications and a considerable number of private adjustments had also been made. In 15 cases the help of the society's solicitor was being given to take Court proceedings. A total of 106 visits of investigation were made, and the Courts had been visited seven times. Maintenance received \and paid to clients totalled £563.

ENGAGEMENTS ANNOUNCED

Chaney — Kolph-Smith.— The engagement is announced between SecondLieutenant Stanley William, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Chaney, of Ranfurly Road, Epsom, and Audrey (W.A.A.F.), second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Rolph-Smith, of Ranfurly Road, Epsom. Midgley — Palmer.— The engagement is announced between Sidney (Merv), R N Z.A.F., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs A. Midglev, Great South Road, Elle'rslie, and Valda Margaret, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Palmer, King Street, Kingsland.