SERVICES OF NEW ZEALANDERS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16212, 15 May 1918, Page 2

SERVICES OF NEW ZEALANDERS.

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

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LONDON", March 22. Tho cable has conveyed to New Zealanders the names of all those in the Dominion upon whom the King has bostowed various appointments to the Most Excellent Order of tho British Empire, in connexion with the war. Tlio majority of these are in tho Do--minion at the present time, but there arc some whose work has been performed on this side of the world, all more or less in connexion with the New Zealand War Contingent Association. Thus: — Lord Plunket held the first meeting at the Westminster Palace Hotel in August, IUI-1, and was elected chairman of tho 'executive of the War Contingent Association. To that post ho gave his constant attention. For more than three years, he was at the office every day, supervising the work of the Association, interviewing wounded, and overlooking tho establishment of the | hospital at Waiton. He was so closely identified with tho work of tho Association that it was very often, both here and in Now Zealand, referred to as "Lord Plunket's Committee." Lord Plunket is a'Knigh.t Commander of tho Order.

Mrs Oriana F, "Wilson is the widow I of Captain Scott's scientist, Dr. Jidwurd A. Wilson, who perished with him near the South Pole. She had done a groat deal of work in connexion with that expedition, and when the war broke out at once offered her swvices in connexion with New Zealand, for which country sho had a natural predilection. She lias been in charge of the oflico ever since, and her great organising capacity has been of inestimable value to tho ■work. Her distinction, Commander of tho Order, ha-s been bestowed mainly in connexion with her work as honorary secretary of the Hospital Comforts Committee.

Mr R. H. Nolan, who is also a Commander of tho Order, belongs to Hawera, and took his iirst activo interest in tho work in London, in meeting our soldiers as they arrived on leave from the front, and taking them to existing clubs and hostels Ho then became the voluntary manager of tho Sew Zealand Soldiers' Club, in Russell square, which, he practically established for the War Contingent Association. He has held that position ever since, and has done work which- cannot be over-estimated. His decoration will be most popular amongst those who know what he has cone. He takes the honour as a great compliment to tho Soldiers' Club, and to those loyal workers who have assisted in making it such a success.

Miss Hilda jI. Williams, Officer 0.8. E., lormcrlv of Wellington, was on the first committee of the Association, and seeing at an early <lato the neces&iiy i'or a canteen near the old offices in Victoria street, she established herself "Tho Dug-out/' iu which her mother (the late Mrs T. C. Williams) and other members of tho family were also interested When the headquarters moved to another part of London, Miss Williams closed "Tho Ihig-ont" and opened, at Hornchurch. a new and largo canteen, Te Wharo Puni, which has been a most valuable adjunct to the hospital there. She also took a great interest in fitting ut> limbless solditrs before the present "arrangements for receiving artificial limbs were perfected.