THE AOTEA HOME IN EGYPT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 89, 8 January 1918, Page 9

THE AOTEA HOME IN EGYPT

FOR CONVALESCENT SOLDIERS AND OTHERS REPORT ON YEAR'S WORK The annual report of tho Aotea Convalescent Homo in Egypt states: "The accounts for tho year which ended on September 30 show an expenditure of £1458 15s. 9d., while the receipts amounted to £17(54 9s. 9d., leaving a balance in hand of £790 6s. 2d., including £484 12s. 2d. carried forward from last year.' During part of the year a subsidiary homo was established at Port Said, but this was closed on October 31 last, on tho advent of tho cool season. Tho number of patients received from tho opening of the homo at Heliopolis on November 25, 1915, to September 30 last, was 3043, including Port. Said, and, besides, many hundreds of our boys visited the home, and were entertained by the staff. Thero has boon no change in tho staff, every member of which is deserving of the highest praise for the very cheerful and uncomplaining way in which they have discharged their arduous ■ duties.

"During tho year tho matron received tho distinction of tho Eoyal lted Cross Second Class, and, in Parliament, oil September 19, tho Hon. Sir James Allen, K.C.8., Minister of Defence, referred to the members of the staff by name, highly praising their work and efforts. Now that operations by our to arrange accommodation and staff scale the need for our home is greater than ever. The executive will endeavour to arrange accommodation and staff sufficient for the needs of all New Zealand soldiers in that field of operations.

"The thanks of the executive aro duo to the following for their help in sending donations and also clothing and comforts:—Wairarapa Lady Liverpool Fund, Wanganui Patriotic Socioty, Oliakca Guild, Hunterville Countess or Liverpool Fund, Carterton Womenjs Patriotic, Society, Mayoress Patriotic Lcaguo (Palmerston North), St. John Ambulance Society, Wellington Meat Export Co., Mrs. M. Mailoy, Mrs. M. Duncan, New Zealand Government Advisory Board, Mauawatu Patriotic Society, D. A. Abercrombie, Mrs. Blackmore, Manawatu Racing Club, AVairarapa Patriotio Society, Town and Country Patriotic Women's Workers, Surprise. Bag Day Fund (Wollngton, per Mrs; Gibbons and other willing helpers in many ways}. "The executive have made no direct appeal to the public for financial support, preferring that any help in that direction should come spontaneously from those who have knowledge of tlio work the home is doing.'' The building that is used as tho Aotca Home was formerly tho palace of a princo who throw in his lot with the enemy. The home was established in IUIS, us an adjunct to ono of tho base hospitals. The conditions were that the homo was to be under the absolute control of th 6 New Zealand military authorities, that tho promoters were to find the staff at the their own expense, that tho New Zealand Government was to provido medicine and necessary food, and that' the promoters were to find beds, bedding, and comforts. The idea of. tlio promoters was that the place should be a place of rest, not so much for tho badly : injurcd mon (who - would bo cared for elsewhere) as for the men who wero to return to the tir-ing-line. ■It was arranged that' all money contributed'to tho cause should ; be sent to the Government.

Tho staff consists of Sister Early (matron), Sisters Kate Booth and Nor.i L. Hughes,- Misses M. M'Don ell, Elizabeth Macdonald, Mina Macdonalil, Lma M'Laren, and. llutli Cameron.

" Thoso who arc'attending to the business at this end aroMossrs. Hugh Morrison and Albert M'lJonuri (Wairarapa), Hope Gibbons (Wangamu). and James Macintosh (Wellington). These gentlemen form the executive,, and Mr. Macintosh is the treasurer. The funds, hitherto, i have como largely from the Wairarapa, the Manawatu, tho Wanganui, and tho Wellington districts, although men are provided for irrespective of the part of New Zealand from which they come. Not only is tho homo for the use of convalescents, but it is a placo where any New Zealand soldier on leave is welcome.

Shortly before Christmas the treasurer received £100 from a lady in the Wairarapa, and .£2OO from ladies in the Manawatu, and this was cabled to tho institution to be used in the purchase of comforts, a portion for the inmates, and the balance to be sent to tho boys in Palestine. Since then the following cablegram. has been received from the institution: "Will send cake to the boys in Palestine for Now Year from Palmerston Ladies' Fund. Preparations here for _ good Christmas. Greetings to executive and subscribers from all at Aotea." Correspondents with the home shows that the things which should be sent by those making gifts are thin shirts (of khaki colour preferred), sox, tea towels, sheets, dried fruit, tinned meat, honey, biscuits, bandages 1£ to 3 inches in width.