RED CROSS SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17291, 5 October 1916, Page 5

RED CROSS SOCIETY.

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Women's General Committee of the Red Cross Society was held yesterday. Mrs W. Hill presided over a good attendance. Amongst those present were Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, who reported >on the result' of the "Our Day" appeal. He added that the energy put in by the ladies on the "Onr Day" appeal had naturally affected: the ordinary work, but this would return to its usual proportions within a week or so. Mrs Hill, reviewing the month's work, said that the takings had nob been bad, and goodß had come in fairly satisfactorily, despite tho other special appeals. During the last twelve months siio had visited about twenty-four country and other branches, ana found that everything was going satisfactorily. More workers wero urgently needed. Some people had done nothing for the boys at the front, and openly admitted that they did not intend to, "as they said they had nothing to do, with the starting of the war. That was a sad attitude to take up, and it was to bo hoped that such people could bo. peisuaded to come in and help the Red Cross. (Applause.)* Miss Colo (secretary) reported that a cablegram had beon sent to London asking if roller bandages and other materials were still wanted, and a reply had been received that bandages, swabs, slings, etc., would bo very welcome.

It was announced that various packages of comforts and material had been sent to the Hanmer Hospital. A number of walking-sticks, preferably heavy, ones, were still required for the convalescent soldiers at Hanmer. Nurse Thurston, matron of the Wal-ton-on-Thames Hospital, wrote' acknowledging £25 from Springfield and Kowai, and also £3O from Miss Gerard. Nurse Thurston added that the hospital was now daily receiving convoys of wounded from France, and the money sent enabled many extra comforts to be obtained for the men. With the money from Springfield a revolving shelter, with a bed, had been obtained. The help from Canterbury had been wonderful, and was greatly appreciated, and best thanks were duo to all tho helpers. The report of the Nurses Christmas Gift Fund stated that £llß had been collected, and as there were fifty-nine Canterbury nurses, each would receive £2.

It was announced that the pyjamas for the Marama had been despatched, and eighteen pairs had also been sent to the General Hospital.. Mrs Smith/ reported that the sales department had despatched 319 parcels of material to be made up, of a total value of £I4OO.

The city Branch roportsd that owing to contradictory reports issued concerning the demand for bandages, tho work of the branch had fallen off during the month. Tho articles made totalled 1196. Ample funds were now available and it was hoped to greatly increase tho output of material. Mrs Vernon presented the garments report, and said that the articles despatched during the month included IS4 dressing gowns, 1570 pyjamas, 1237 shirts, 192 nightshirts. 824 underpants, 475 bed jackets, 1164 vests, 397 body belts, 128 waistcoats, 3 overcoats, 21 lounge suits, 25 shorts, 2882 handkerchiefs, 2166 socks. 273 bedsocks, 5G2 mufflers, 294 balacla\-as, 318 mittens, 160 slippers, 32 sheets, 241 draw sheets. 713 pillow-cases, 314 towels, 8 pillows, 274 limb, pillows, 43 cushions, 271 cushion covers, 478 treasure bags, 18 soldiers' bags, 16 soldiers' bags (filled), S 7 doctors' coats, 57 operation stockings, 34 knee-caps, 312 sundries; total garments, 15,728. Mrs Lavie presented the Bandage Committee's report, and said that the total articles sent during the month numbered 107,000 and .54,130 . bandages. Tho need for bandages was urgent. It had been calculated that the wounded in the recent two heavy casualty lists would require 9000 bandages daily, but the arerago output was but 1800, so a great effort was necessary. , _ The report of tho Inquiry Bureau stated that the first year's working ot the bureau had covered 246 cases for inquiry. It was" expected that the recent heavy casualty lists would make the work of tho bureau moro strenuous and extra funds would be necessary. . . ',, _, , . Mrs Wigvam submitted the Packing Department's report, which stated that the number of cases sent away during the past" month was as follow: Tweutv-eight cases by the Arawa to the New Zealand War Contingent Association ; thirteen cases by the Rimutaka to ■ tfie New Zealand War Contingent Association; fifty-one cases sent to Wellington to await shipment in transport to the British Red Cross, Sfc. John's Gate, London, twenty-fire of theso being bandages marked for Russian Red Cross; eight cases for tho hospital ship Marama, sent to his Excellency, the Earl of Liverpool, Government House, Wellington; and fifteen cases by the Delphic to the British Red thing; a .total of 115 cases.