RED CROSS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 70, 24 March 1931, Page 4

RED CROSS

WORK OF THE YEAR

WELLINGTON CENTRE

The activities of the Wellington Centre of the Red Cross Society for the past year are set out in detail in the annual report presented at the annual meeting to-day. "During tbe period everything possible has been done on behalf of the ex-service men under treatment at hospitals and sanatoria throughout the district which, extends from Gisborno on the East Coast and New Plymouth on the West Coast,' says the report. "Though one more year has been added to the number which have rolled ou since the termination of hostilities, the need for the society's ministrations is keenly felt, perhaps more so. There are many cases who are feeling the strain of years and breaking down through disability which points to their war service. Unfortunately, a substantial proportion of these have not been successful in establishing their claims to a pension, and they and their dependants, in consequence, are occasioned anxiety and hardship." At the "Mowai" Red Cross Home m Hobson street, established for the purpose of providing an environment in which ex-service men suffering from permanent or recurring disability can convalesce, 14 men were in hospital at the beginning of last year. Admissions during the year numbered 66, and discharges 60. There was one death, and 19 patients were in the home at the end of December last. Members of the committee have been unremitting in their attention to those "at "the home, and the Film Services Association, Railway Department, Wellington Racing Club, Trotting Club, Rugby Union, and local theatre and picture proprietors have all extended privileges to the inmates o£ the home. Thanks are also expressed to the many visitors to "Mowai," foremost among whom were Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledistenance charges, the sum of £274 7s 3d was disbursed on extra comforts at the home.

AT PUKEORA. To the various sub-centre committees of the Red Cross in Hawkes Bay is entrusted the responsibility of caring for patients at the Pukeora'T.B. Sanatorium, Waipukurau. The military patients number 29 and the civil 71. Under such circumstances, says the report, the practice of discrimination in service would be difficult and undesirable. All are welcome to benefit from the facilities of care, recreation, and amusement which the society has to offer. Besides tFe many arrangements made for patients' comfort and entertainment, they are kept busy in the occupational workshops, and their proficiency is displayed by the varied productions. Attendance at the carpentry class proved disappointing, and the work was discontinued. The report also acknowledges with gratitude the sympathetic and helpful support shown by the medical superintendent, matron, and' staff of the sanatorium. From the ' society's funds £472 14s 4d was expended on extra comforts .on behalf of the patients at Pukeora.

PATIENTS AT PORIRUA. j Red Cross work at Porirua Mental Hospital continues to grow, there being 151 patients on the society's register at the end of' December. Messrs. D. G. Clark and A. H. Batli take with them on their visits supplies of comforts, fruit, cakes, tobacco, • cigarettes, and reading matter. A complete record is kept of the exservice men under treatment, and when visiting each man is called on or accounted for. Inclement weather and the difficulty of securing cars made it impossible to hold as many picnic outings as iv past years. The local branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association co-operates with the Red Cross in the work at Porirua, and the medical superintendent and his staff facilitate the society's work in every way. The sum of £764 2s Id wag spent in providing extra comforts for the men at Porirua. Ex-service men in civil hospitals numbering 94 are not overlooked -■ by the society, visits being paid each week and comforts. distributed. "Apart from the comforts, involving a monetary outlay (£2lB 14s 6d>, a large volume of g-fts flow in • with uninterrupted regularity for these men. -

RED CROSS NURSES. A most encouraging expansion in the work of the Red Gross nurses in North

and South Taranaki and Wellington is noted in the report. The primary duty of the nurses is to extend their ministrations to ex-soldiers and their dependants .■who arc distressed through sickness or other causes. Instructional duties also engage a considerable portion of their attention. Keen interest in first-aid team work has been stimulated by the gift of a handsome trophy from Mr. George Shirtcliffe for competition. The Women's Committee, under its president, Mrs. Henry Rose, lias completed another busy year. Throughout the year the members of the committee have met at the depot to mark and pack comforts for distribution to the various hospitals. Pyjamas and other articles have been made and supplied. The responsibility of purchasing supplies haa been ably attended to by Lady Myers. At Christmas time a gift parcel was made tip and supnliorl t« <?y«ry ex-service patient in the district who was remaining in the hospital during the festive season. The financial statement shows that £3290 12s lOd was expended on the maintenance of patients at "Mowai" home, and- £1720 ISs Id disbursed on behalf of the society's services at the various institutions. Special mention is made of the work of the honorary treasurer, Mr. S. ¥. Wright.