THE DOMINIONS AND THE WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17324, 25 May 1918, Page 11

THE DOMINIONS AND THE WAR

SEKVICES OF NEW ZEA.L ANDERS. ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. (Fxiom Oue Own CJokkkspondent.J LONDON, March 22. r Doubtless tho cable has conveyed to New Zealanders the names of all those in the dominion upon whom tho King has bestowed various appointments to the Most Excellent Order of tho British Empire, in connection with tho war. Tho majority of these are in the dominion at the present time, but thero are some whoso work lias been j>erformcd on this side of the world, ail more or less in connection with the New Zealand War Contingent Association. Thus: — Lord Plunket held tho first meeting at tlie Westminster Palaco Hotel in August, 1914, and was elected chairman of the executive of tho War Contingent Association. To that post ho gave his constant attention. For moro than three years he was at tho olfico every day, supervising the work of the association, interviewing wounded, and overlooking the establishment of tho hospital at Walton. He was so closely identified with tho work of the association that it was very often, both here and in New Zealand, referred to as Lord Plunket's Committee." Lord I'luitket is a Knight Commander of tho Order. Mrs Oriana F. Wilson is the wiodw of Captain Scott's scientist, Dr Edward A. Wilson, who perished with him near tho South Polo. She had dono a great deal of work in connection with that expedition, and when the war broke out at once offered her services in connection with New Zealand. for which country she had a natural predilection. She has been in charge of the office ever since, and her great organising capacity has been of inestimable value to the work. Her distinction, Commander of the Order, has been bestowed mainly in connection with her work as honorary secretary of the Hospital Comforts Committee Mr R. 11. Nolan, who is also a Commander of the Order, belongs to Hawera, and took his first active interest in tho work in London in meeting our soldiers as they arrived on leavo from the front, and taking them to existing clubs and hostels. He then became the voluntary manager of tho New Zealand Soldiers' Club in Russell square, which he practically established for tho War Contingent Association. Ho has held that position ever since, and has done work which cannot be over-estimated. His decoration will be most popular amongst those who know what he has done. He takes the honour as a great compliment i to the Soldiers'- Olub and to those loyal workers wh'o havo assisted in making it such a success. . Miss Hilda. M. Williams. Officer 0.8.E.. formerly of Wellington, was on the first committee of tho association, and seeing at an early date the necessity for a canteen near the old office in Victoria street, she herself established " The Dug-out." in whioh her mother (the late Mrs T. C. Williams) and other members of the family wero also interested. When the headquarters moved fo another part of London, Miss Williams closed "The Dug-'out" and opened, at Homchurch, a new and large canteen, To Whare Puni, which has been a most valuable adjunct to the hospital there. She also took a great interest in fitting up limbless soldiers before tho present arrangements for receiving artificial limbs were perfected