MUCH WORK DONE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 107, 1 November 1941, Page 12

MUCH WORK DONE

ST. JOHN WOMEN'S WAR

COMMITTEE

SICK AND WOUNDED TROOPS

During the year a total of 6887 articles made and collected by the Order of St. John Women's War Committee has been forwarded to the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society. These included large quantities of surgical and hospital equipment such as cholera belts, pullovers, dysentery pads, foment wringers, scarves, mittens, bandages, patchwork rugs, hospital bags, handkerchiefs, food covers, serviettes, bedpan covers, tray cloths, amputation pillow slips, parcels of old linen, etc. In the annual report, which was presented on Wednesday, it was stated that another important feature of the committee's work had been the provision of assistance for the making of surgical dressings one day a week at the rooms established in Dixon Street.

Urgent appeals made by the Joint Council for the provision of medical comforts at short notice had been responded to whole-heartedly and the work had always been completed when required. The report commented on a new field of service, that of packing food parcels for prisoners of war, a voluntary labour to be done in close co-operation with the Red Cross Society.. It was expected that volunteers would have to assist in packing at least 600 parcels each, day, excluding the weekends. Already at the committee's suggestion to the Joint Council, Christmas parcels had been forward to sick and wounded New Zealanders in hospital in Egypt.

FOR THE E.P.S

Each Monday a group meets in the association's hall to make up large numbers of roller bandages for use at the 25 first-aid posts, established under the Emergency Precautions Scheme in various parts of the city and suburbs. The bandages are made of linen material which has already given service in local industry. In this connection the report offered thanks to Mr. J. Penman, of the Victoria Laundry, who had undertaken the laundering of the bandages before they were made into sizes, and Messrs. Retreads, Ltd., Messrs. Fitzgerald Bros., and Messrs. Nu-Tread, Ltd., who put aside their waste material for this purpose. The work, it was stated, will mean the ultimate saving of many pounds in the purchase of medical equipment, not only to the Wellington City Council but also to the ratepayers of the city.

COMMITTEE'S THANKS.

Among other works undertaken by the committee are the meeting of hospital ships and the distribution of comforts to the. men on their return, the provision of flowers at the casual{y clearing station, and visits by two representatives to the hospital at Trentham Camp. The committee had also organised a shop, which made £80, and assisted in the association's flag day appeal.

The report ended with the committee's thanks to the various groups affiliated to it. "During the past twelve months," it stated, "ample evidence has been received of the willingness and desire by all women to carry out in an efficient manner any task necessary for the comfort of sick and wounded members of the armed forces." .