WORK FOR VETERANS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 250, 20 July 1939, Page 6

WORK FOR VETERANS

St. John And Red Cross

Activities NEED CONTINUES “The work on behalf of the exservicemen, specially those confined to hospitals and kindred institutions, has continued with unremitting zeal,” said the retiring chairman, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, at. the annual meeting in Wellington yesterday of the Great War funds administrative committee of the joint council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross boC 1 "This work, as you know, is financed from funds raised in the war period, and the fact that the scale of activity has in no wise been contracted is an eloquent testimony to the wisdom shown in conserving the funds while generously meeting the needs of those, for whom they were subscribed. "During the period a total of ex-servicemen has been assisted and comforts together with maintenance have involved an expenditure or £15,750/6/8. The three homes for the ex-servicemen suffering recurring or permanent disability have again proved their value. Treatment and mamtenance of patients and homes have involved the sum of £10,534/19/3, of which the society was reimbursed by the Government £8833/4/10. To these homes soldiers broken in health and not in receipt of a pension have been admitted as guests for varying periods of convalescence. The practice is attended by good results, and in view of the stress suffered by war veterans with the march of years, its extension is inevitable and highly to be encourg“lnterest on the £30,000 fund amounting to £9OO has enabled us to assist 669 men of all units of his Majesty’s forces of the Great War, the sum of £791/16/10 being spent on this work. From the authorities in England, we received during the period the sum of £372/3/9, from which we have added 210 ex-imperial men suffering distress in consequence of war service. Application is being made for a further grant from this quarter. “In stating that while the society has resources and energy it will continue to serve the needs of our exsoldiers, broken maybe in health but not in spirit, a labour we count not only a duty but a privilege, I am assuredly re-echoing the sentiments of every servitor in this great cause.” The election of officers resulted as follows: —

Chairman of committee, Colonel J. J. Esson C.M.G., V.D.; vice-chairman, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, 0.8. E.; representing the Commandery of St. John, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, K.C.V.0., K.8.E., M.L.C., Colonel J. J- Esson, C.M.G., V.D. Colonel Barclay, 0.8. E., Sir James Elliott, Sir Charles Statham, Dr. A. R. Falconer, Dr. Restill Thomas, Sir Charles M. Luke, Mr. C. J. Tunks, Mr. J. W. Jack, Dr. Graham Robertson, 0.8. E.; representing New Zealand Red Cross Society, Lady Myers, Lady Wigram, 0.8. E., Mrs. T. H. Lowry, 0.8. E., D.St.J., Mrs. A. MFerguson, Miss E. M. King, M.8.E., Mrs. H. H. Smith, M.8.E., J.P., Sir James H. Gunson, C.M.G., Sir Alexander Roberts, K.8.E., Mr. G. H. Fleming, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, 0.8. E., Mr. C. J. Ronaldson, Mr. C. G. White, Rev. V. G. Bryan King, 0.8. E., Dr. Alexander Gillies; representing New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr. E. C, Hale, Mr. H. B. Burdekin; standing committee, Lady Myers, Sir Charles Statham, Mr. C. G. White, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, 0.8. E., Sir Alexander Roberts, K.8.E., Colonel J. J. Esson, C.M.G., V.D., Dr. Alexander Gillies, Mr. B. C. Hale, Dr. Graham Robertson; secretary, Captain M. S. Gjalloway, M. ; honorary treasurer, Mr. E. C. Hale; honorary auditors, Messrs. Watkins, Hull, Wheeler and Johnston; honorary solicitors, Messrs. Young, Courtney, Bennett and Virtue.