HOSPITAL SHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1941, Page 9

HOSPITAL SHIP

EXTRA SUPPLIES

WELFARE OF PATIENTS

PATRIOTIC WORK

When the- hospital ship Maunganui sails she will take with her hospital stores and comforts provided by the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society, which has the responsible task of looking after the sick, wounded, and distressed as the agent in this sphere of patriotic service of the National Patriotic Fund Board. These stores will supplement the Army Medical Service supplies.

Referring yesterday afternoon to what has been done for the hospital ship from the board's Sick. Wounded, and Distress Fund and through the Joint Council organisation, Mr. M. S. Galloway, secretary of the Joint Council, said that a requisition for supplies Avas received from the Direc-tor-General of Medical Services, Briga-dier-General F. T. BOAverbank. For some time before that committees

throughout the Dominion had been concentrating on general requirements for hospital ships and hospitals, and, in consequence, when the call actually came, they were practically ready. Some of the larger items, because of the extent of requirements, gave a little concern toAvards the end, but the women volunteers had worked with untiring zeal, with the result that the whole of the requisition had been delivered well up to time.

Though the Sick, Wounded, and Distress Fund Avas draAvn upon to provide a large part of the requisition, the strength of the organisation behind the service available in this field of patriotic Avork is such that many articles Avere contributed, thus easing calls on this fund. Many articles were made in the Red Cross Society Avorkrooms in Dixon Street, and all the packing and dispatching Avas done from the society's store on the ground floor of the building. Specially strengthened cases Avere used to pack the goods in, and "these cases Avere fitted with rope handles and screw-doAvn tops. Each case bore a Red Cross stamped on a black diamond to distinguish the comforts from Army supplies.

DIRECTOR-GENERAL'S APPRECIATION.

Those associated Avith the provision of . hospital supplies and comforts in the Avar of 1914-18 appreciate the value of extra supplies, not only to supplement the Army issue but also to meet an emergency. The extra stores Avhich were got ready for the Maunganui in about a Aveek recently would provide for such an eventuality should it arise. A letter has been received from Brigadier-General Bowerbank expressing a warm sense of appreciation for the prompt and efficient Avay his requisition Avas met.

The articles supplied by the Joint Council included. over 1600 pairs of pyjamas, over 1000 toilet bags (which had to be made), 288 hot water bag covers, about 5000 different kinds of bandages, 300 surgical binders, 800 face cloths, 200 cushions, 200 dressing gowns, 200 theatre gowns, 2000. handkerchiefs, 300 bed -jackets. 200 jerseys, and 200.pullovers, 600 draAV-sheets. 370 bed covers, 36"surgeons' gOAvns, caps, and masks, operating theatre face guards, table covers, and ward guards, 400 bed screens, 600 hospital shirts, 70 pairs. of felt slippers, and dispensing aprons. The Joint Council also supplied a quantity of groceries and light diet items sufficient for 500 men to supplement the Army. Medical Service supplies, and also cigarettes and tobacco.

Another item supplied Avas goodsized tin match boxes filled Avith wax matches and in the provision of these good use was made of empty cigarette tins. The tins were enamelled white and a red cross Avas painted on the lids this work being' done by girls of Queen Margaret College, Wellington.