NURSES FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2398, 15 February 1900, Page 18

NURSES FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

MEETING OF MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS OF DUNEDIN.

SIX NURSES TO BE SENT.

The Organising Committee of the Otago and Southland contingent called a meeting of the mothers and daughters of Dunedin in the Garrison Hall on Thursday afternoon to consider the matter of the collection of funds

for the equipment and transport of six nurses for South Africa, aiid to make provision for sending equipments for the contingent. There .were present on the platform and among the audience — Mr-T. W. Kempthorne (chairman of the Organising Commutes) , Bishop Nevill, the Revs. W. Bannerman, W. Scorgie, A. Cameron, I. K. M'lntyre, C. Chodowski, and •D. Dutton, Dr De Lautour, Dr Coughtrey, Messrs J. F. Arnold, M.H.R., J. A. Park, iW. A. Shields, J. 3. Hosking. 3: F. M. SYaser, C. R. Smith, and G. Cripps. Mr IKempthorne took the chair. The ladies present numbered about 200, including fifteen who wore the dress of nurses.

The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said: Ladies .and Gentlemen, — It having been suggested . on all sida.s that it was o pity a large contingent should be sent to South Africa without the aid of nurses, the matter was discussed at a meeting of the Organising Committee held on the 3rd February, and at that meeting, on the motion of MrJ. F. M. Praser, it was decided to send six nursed, and Dr De Lautour and Messrs Shields and Fraser were appointed a subcommittee to select the names and submit the same to the General Committee. At a further meeting of the Organising Committee on the 6th February it was proposed by Mr W. A. Shields and seconded by Mr J. F. M. Fraser — "That, provided sufficient money be raised for the purpose, six qualified nurses be sent to South Africa under six months' engagement at a salary of 25s a week and pas-.age to and fio, subject to acceptance by the Imperial Government and ratification by the New Zealan-1 Government." The next thing that tlie Organising Committee did was to consult tho Premier by telegram as to what should be done, and his reply amounted to this : The committee or society intending to equip the nurses should state that they iu-o prepared to offer them to the Imperial authorities TJ,o Government could then a-k the Governor to cable the offer Home, and when an afFirmotivc answer was received it could be decided how the nur»es could be sent. The conditions on which nurses are taken are that passage, equipment, maintenance, and salary should be paid by the committee or society send ing them At a further meeting of the Organising Committee it wan decided that the offer of Nurse Hay and iJiss Maxvicll be ac Ccpte;! to canvass some of the outlyi^y country districts of Olago in search of fuad-. As the mayors of various towns had rlreadj been reauested to form committees, this

minute was passed at the Organising Committee meeting: — "In the event of Miss Hay and other women canvassing the country, as suggested, it must be distinctly understood that they collect for the Otago and Southland contingent and remount fund, but that in consideration of their services the committee reserve discretion to apply a portion of the amount towards the despatch of nurses, if nurses are accepted." The question of offering the services of six nurses for South Africa to accompany the Otago avid Southland contingent having been so far settled, the next matter which requires attention is to suggest some plan whereby funds may be raised wherewith to equip and despatch these nurses. 1 woujd make the following suggestions, but should be glad to hear from any lady or gentleman in the room any further suggestion or alteration which would assist in raising the necessary funds. There lire several wa}'"B in which funds might be raised. (1) By a special collection throughout the churches of Dunedin of all denominations on a certain Sunday. In this connection I may say that at the termination of an interview, which the deputation of the Piesbytery of Dunedin had this morning with the Organising Committee, the representatives promised that tho Presbyterian Church would assist the movement in this direction. That, I understand also, it has been publicly announced that the Anglican Church intend taking up a special collection next Sunday, and that Bishop Nevill is himself assisting m this great and noble object by caking up a collection at a special service to be held by him. (2) A systematic canvass of the country districts for individual subscriptions. In this connection Nurse Hay and Mi.ss Maxwell rave already been despatched. Nurse Hay left yesterday morning for Queenslown direct, and will visil the following towns and districts: — Arrowtowa, Cardrona, Albertown, Pembroke, liawea Flat, Lucjgate, Tar) a=, Queenabury, Bondigo, Cromwell, and Clyde, and will meet Miss Maxwell at Alexandra. Miss Maxwell left yesterday to call at Mosgiel, Outram, Allantown, Waihola, Milton, Wailaluma, Lawrence, Waipori, Beaumont, Roxburgh, and Bald Hill Flat, meeting Nurse Hay at Alexandra. From there they go in company through Ophir, Tinkers, St. Bathans, Blackstone Hill, Wedderburn, Eweburn, Naseby, Ranfurly, Kyeburn, Kukonga, Hyde, Middlemarch, Macraes, Moonlight, Dunback, Palmerston, and Waikouaili, returning to Dunedin ;i week before the sailing of the contingent. Other nurses who have made application have signified their willingness to can\as-> other districts, and already several sums have been subscribed. Tho nurses who arc collecting will doubtlesis bring in a large sum, as the MipMer of Railway? has kindly lranked them over the railways of Otogo and Southland. I would like it to be distinctly understood, snei'k'ng as a member of tho pubcommidee vho lia\e the applications of the nurs-es j.:i 1 aod. that no appointments have been made, and l'*al the (jiifilifi'".'a f ions of all nurpes ■ij plying will ne considered fully before any .'.ppointmrnt is made. It may be that Southland, will contribute one or two muses to the

contingent, but of course if they do the number of six from Otago will be reduced by one or two, according to the amount of money which Southland subscribes. (3) A Ladies' Committee should be formed here to-day, who would doubtless formulate extra schemes whereby funds might be collected, and I would like to suggest that the following ladies be nominated a committee, with power to add to their number: — Mrs Gordon Macdonald, Mrs Ogston, Mrs Dennibton, Mrs Mjrk Cohen, Mrs George Fen wick, Mrs Herdman, Mrs Harper-Bell, Mrs R. F. Smith, Mrs Houston, Miss Williams, and Miss Eraser. I might say that Mrs Gordon Macdonald has already offered a very, valuable suggestion — viz., that a large number of ladies might volunteer to give so much, say, 10s per month, to this fund during the continuance of the war, and I am pleased to say that already I have the names of several ladies who have expressed their intention of donating. The .suggeated cost of equipping and despatching the nurses i& : Outfit for each nurse £25, appliances £5, salary (26 weeks, at £1 5s a week) .632 xus, passage to the Cape (return) £40 (there is some hope that the Government may bear the cost of this if the nurses go forward by the troopship) ; — total, J3IOZ 10s. Six nurses at £102 IQb would therefore cost £615— -ay £700. Surgeon-major Coughtrey suggested that the ladies might help towards tlie equipment, especially in these three items, among others: — (1) Making hold-alls for the contingent, of which 105 are wanted ; (2) making a first-aid packet for each maa, of which 105 are wanted (as in the case of No. 1 Dr Coughtrey will teach the Ladies' Committee how this item is made — exact size, weight, and shape) ; (3) making a supply ot roller and other bandages for the use of the doctor of the contingent lo go in the medical kit. There may be, when the Bize of the bru^h. is determined, a small holland bag, with tying tape, required also for each man. In this connection the following information will prove useful : — Hold-all : Outside piece of red flannel, 12in long by Bin wide, with double fold of flannel (wlril'}, 6in by 4in Red flannel loopholes, to contain strong black thread (waxed), 10yds; strong while thread (waxed), 10yds; khaki thread, 20yd&; khaki worsted, 10yds; — all this on whalebone reels. Saddlers' string thread (waxed), 10yds, and also one packet of antiseptic horsehair. White flannel flaps — 1 bodkin. 1 sailor's or canvas needle, 2 saddlers' needles, 2 darningneedles, 4 fairly strong and large-eyed needles, 1 small surgical nce,dle (half curved). Button, bag— i-dozen buttons of each useful sorts — coat,' trousers, shirt, and linen one 3 (dyed). The officers' hold-alls are to be specially made of tunic cloth, given by Dr Coughtrey. Then the ladies may make fo- the contingent: — One first field dressing for each man, to consist of three yards antiseptic bandage, a piece of antiseptic gauze, a piece of antiseptic wool, one antiseptic tabloid to make lotion, one piece of guttn, perclia tissue, and one cover and label. I will now call on several other speakers to address the meeting. — (Applraise.)

Mr J. E. M. Fraser safd if. the ladies of Dunedin worked with a will in this matter there could be no doubt of success. When the question of sending nurpes to South Africa came before the committee he held the strongest views on the matter, which, summed up, came to this : That in view of the tact that there would soon be 1200 fighting men from New Zealand in South Africa it was our bounden duty to send our women there to look after them if they were wounded. — (Applause.) It was suggested that Mr Shields and himself should undertake the work w"ith Dr Do Lautour, whose qualifications in the matter were second to no man's in the colony, and that they should suggest the names of six or seven qualified nurses to the Organising Committee, who would make the appointments. He had heard some adverse comment on the proposal to send nurses. He had been asked, " Whom are you going to send? What are j-ou going to do? and his answer was that the proper thing was eoing to be done, that six or ssven nurses were to be sent away, and that they would be women who would be a credit to any part of the JSmpirc, and women who would not be surpassed by any women who had gone from Australia, or from any xjortion of the United Kingdom. — (Applause.) The very flower of the nursing sisterhood had \ olunteered (or the work, and it now remained for tho ladies of Dunedin to say if they would bo sent or not. If they only made ujd their minds to gather the money it could be got together in a week in shillings. It was a thing that could easily be accomplished if it was only taken up with enthusiasm. If the ladies so pleased, the Organising Committee would associate with the Lr.dies' Committee a gentleman who was, in his opinion, one of the brainiest and ablest on the committee : he referred to Mr Shields. — (Applause.) He wished to reiterate what the chairman had said as to no appointmenis having been made. That was a matter — and a most important matter- — in which not a "living soul in Otago would influence the committee, and he was sure that when the final selection was made it would be generally conceded thai the committee had chosen fairly and well. — (Applause.)

Mr J. H. Hosking said the proposal to send nurses to South Africa had this in its favour : that it was not so much for the purpose of fighting that money was required as for purposes of charity, and for that reason many would subscribe towards the relief of suffering, who would not subscribe directlyto a fund to assist in fighting the Boers. — (tlear, he3i\) As to the matter of appointments, he had to say, as a member of the General Committee, that so far as he knew no promise had been made to any individual ; in fact, he would have thought it a breach of duty if he had, even in anticipation, given any such promise. The General Committee would have the assistance of Dr De Lautour in selecting the nurses, so that it might be relied on that ouly the best of the many applicants would, be selected for service. The committee were in no sense committed to the ladie3 who had gone into the country. He would like that to be generally understood, because he had been told that some misapprehension existed on the point. — (Applause.)

Mr V 7. A. Shields said he had personally got the two ladies — Nurse Hay and Miss Maxwell — together, and asked them to quite understand that they were going away, not as nurses for the war in South Africa, but as volunteers for, the purpose of collecting funds, first of all, for the Otago and Southland contingent, and, next, for the nurses who were to be sent to South Africa. They perfectly understood beforo they wont aw r ay that the fact of their going out to collect funds had nothing to do with the possibility of their being appointed as nurses for the Transvaal. He wis glad, to have that opportunity of making an explanation of the matter. — (Applause.) Dr De Lautour paid when ho was asked to act on the committee for the selection of nurses he did so with great pleasure, because it was one of the little ways in which ho might be of assistance to the community in tho work it had undertaken, and when, asked

1 to speak that afternoon, although he had been a soldier for 26 years, he felt somewhat reluctant, but, as an old campaigner, lie saw that it would not do to shirk his duty in any way. — (Applause.) It had been said for some time now that New Zealand was in the front. . Was that not so? Where was Robin? He was at the front. — (Applause.) Which was the first colony to get away a contingent ? It was i New Zealand. — (Applause.) Our men had gone to the front, then, and had behaved splendidly ; and our women were now coming forward, and it was for lhat meeting to assist them. — (Hear, hear.) We were proud of I the capital work Major Robin and his " boys '' were doing in the Transvaal. They were not doing it simply because they were New Zealanders. It was bccau&e they had been well trained, and because .they were under an officer who had tpent the best part of hi& .lifce in making himself thoroughly efficient, His qualities were thoroughly recognised ; ho i won tremendous credit at Jubilee time. — (Applause.) He was regarded favourably in the I War Office long before he went to the TransI vaal. The Imperial authorities and the army ! authorities were quick to pick up a good man, ' and tkey were very quick to pick up an j efficient one. The moment the New Zealand "boys" arrived at the Cape it was known 1 they were under Major Robin, and that they were men of the stamp that represented the colony in England at Jubilee time, and with as little delay ns possible they were sent off to the front. — (Applause.) In the matter of nurses it would also be the aim to secure the services of the most competent. He could pay that no promise had been made to anyone. Even since it was known that this movement anent the nurses was afoot his rooms had been, brightened nearly all day long with the cheeryfaces of those who had come in to sea him about the matter. He had been very glad to see them, and he had given each one encouragement, without definitely promising any of them anything. — (Applause and laughter.) I The committee recognised their responsibility, and they meant to go carefully into it, and to send away a batch of nurses who would be a credit to the colony, as Major Robin and hih men had already been. — (Applause.) The Right Rev. Dr Nevill said he had no claim to intrude upon the business of the afternoon, but a» one of the outside public who had listened to the important addresses that had been delivered, he would say that it bad afforded him much satisfaction to observe in the public prints records of the vigorous and systematic manner in which the Organising (Joi.irnitlee had carried out the work it hod undertaken. He was sure the results of that work would prove very important, lie heartily approved of the sending of nurses to look after our brethren who were wounded in this war, and thought as the General Committee was prepared to give the ladies who undertook this branch of the work all the encouragement and assistance in their power, there was every assurance the movemont would be conducted to a successful issue. Nothing could bo more consonant to the nature and attributes; of woman rhan the nursing of those who were sick and wounded, and it was therefore surely right to organise and to sen>~ forth a nursing btaff. Attention had been called to the matter of making collections in various churches, and he believed that the intimation given in the public prints wourj perhaps induce the local churches to devote any alms they might possess towards the support of this band. The cathedral church of his diocese (St. Paul's) had already pledged its contribution to the t general purposes of the fourth contingent, tv.id he did not know that he could conveniently summon the chapter again to ask them, to make an alteration in thpt purpose, and perhaps there was no necessity to do fo. He would, however, take the opportunity of sa>ing that if there were those who nreferrfl that their offerings should go towards the nurses' fund, they had only to lake the trouble.io put Hieir contributions in envelopes so addressed, and he would undertake to say the money would be devoted accordingly. He was exceedingly sorry he was not in a position to support more largely th° pip-.pnl movement for sending nurses, but he pj^-posed giving £1 per month to tho end of the present 3 r ear, if not longer, towards the fund raised for these nurses. Chrislian mi miters and others coiild at all events lake o very lively interest in this matter, and he was quite sure lh.it before manj>drvs they vould hear < i the liursob' contingent bsinr; pnpprly- cqi"h;pp'l, and when they went forth, he hoped to bp o?ip of those who would wiih them 'God- speed in their self-deny-ing labours. — (Applause.) Tlse Her. W. Bannerman did not think any lengthy observations were at all needed, as he oelieved the ladips were more ready to act than to listen. Tl'e proposal under consideration was tHo licepaeary complement of what had already been dono in connection with the war in South Africa, and our relations with Home Government. We had sent forth our men to assist in w hat he did not hestitate to say was a righteous war, ant! ono in which our forces deserved the 1 sympathy and support of every Bi-iton everywhere. Our men lia-wnr; gone vrb°re they inicht mpet with death or wound?, it was our duty to sppc! , women who could tend and comfort those who fell in battle. Ke was sure the movement was one that would command the sympathy of j the whole country from north to south, and i that every class of the community would be wi"i:isr to assist it. Mr Arnold, M. H.R., who expressed his fulj lest sympathy with the project in hand, rej froincd from making a speech upon it in j order to permit of the business of tbe afterI noon being done, and merely suggested that I appropriate resolutions should be moved by j ladies, and that as soon as tliev wore adopted the committee to deal wrih this subject should set to work. Mrs Gordon Macdonald moved — "That the foregoing- nrooosals be accepted, and that it is most desirnble that six quolifipcl nurses should be sent vith the Otagro and Southland Contingent to South Africa." After hearing the speeches they had listened to she thought there could be no doubt that every person in the room would guarantee to raise ss, 10s, or £1 per month, and if that were done there coufd be no doubt the money would be forthcoming. Ladies who were willing to assist would kindly remain behind at the conclusion of tho general meeting, and then their work could be arranged. There need be no , fear as to result, for this was a work which j they looked upon not only as a duty, but as one in which they were honoured bv r beingasked to help. That morning Mr? Bannerman had called upon her. and after giving a donation to the fund said she would like to go herself, only she was afraid they might thinlk she was too young. Mrs Bannerman had promised, in addition to her donation of , money, to give 51b of New Hebrides arrow1 root to every nurse who was sent to South Africa. Mrs Ogston seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Chairman stated lhat he hod received a memorandum from Hip T-Io". Mr Bolt, statinp thai ihp Tailore^se^' TTninn would equip and find all thp materials for hold-alls for all tho members of Hie contingent; that a lady

would give all the materials for the bagsv hairbrushes, etc., and that Mr H. F. Hardy would give six Mosgiel rugs to the nurses/:" He also mentioned the forthcoming floral 1 fete, and invited assistance, but explained that the funds raised at the floral fete were to be for the general purposes of the contingent, not for the nurses, but all present were* invited lo assist both funds. Mr C. R. Smith referred to the success tha£ had attended the previous floral fete, foretold greater success for the coming one, and invited co-operation to bring it about. Ha said that after the eloquence they had heard that afternoon the thousand pounds they: wanted for the nurses was sure to be raised within the next few days, so that they would; be able to spare a few days in which to work for the floral fete before the 28th inst. On the motion of Mr Arnold, a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman (Mr Kempthorne) for presiding, but before leaving the chair the Chairman had to announce that Mrs Boot had iu&t handed in two guineas to the nurses' fund, that Mrs Theomin had contributed J65 5s and promised £1 per month, while the war continues, and that Mrs T. Fergus had also given a donation of five guineas. COMMITTEES AND COLLECTORS APPOINTED. , . A number of ladies remained behind after tho general meeting for sending nurses to South Africa was over. Dr Coughtrey explained to thone present the contents' of an hold-all. He offered to purchase the material and teach four ladies how to make tlie articles required, these four to teach the others. Mrs Montgomery, Mrs Wills, Mis? Cairns, and Miss M. Allen w-ers appointed to form Dr Goughlrey's class. The rest of those present decided to hold a gigantic sewing meeting to make the 180 hold-alls, bags, e'e, that we» required. Mrs G. L, Denniston gave Iha use of her house for the sewing meeting. It was arranged that Nurse Fraser start on. Saturday morning to canvass Oamaru and district for the nurses' fund. Dunedin was divided into districts, and committees formed and collectors appointed to canvass. Each, canvasser is to wear round an arm a band of white linen with red cross. No one is to collect without a properly authorised hook, signed by the chairman of committee. The canvassers will ask for Is or more a month as long as the war lasts. The following are the commit, tees : — St. Clair. — Miss Fraser (chair), Mrs Hcu=to i, Mrs [bbotson, Mrs Fotheringham, Ivira A.. Strotiach, Mrs J. "R. Thornton. Bellekmuves and Roilyn. — Mrs Bogg (chair), Ivfrs Ciipps, Mrs J. Allan, Jtliss Callen.der, Mrs C. Allan. Anderson's Bay and Musselburgh. — Miss Williams (chair), Mrs Gallaway. Cavcrsham. — Mrs Dutton (chair), Mrs Barron, Miss Scoular. Burkes and St. LtonarJls. — Miss V/ise (chair). Nevada and Maori Hill. — Mis Fergus (chair). Smith, street. — Miss Saunders (chair). ilayensbourno. — Miss Withers (.chair), Mrs Branigan. High street. — Mrs Macdonald (chair), iliss Patrick, Mr& Ogston. Eglinton and Mornington. — Miss Kirkcaldy (chair). North-East Valley. — Mrs Eva (chair), Mrs Frank Stronach, Mrs Herdman, Mid Gow, Miss Harriet Fraser, Miss M. Allan, Miss H. L.Allan, Miss A. JMaogregor, I-liss C. itqegregor. Carsiill street. — Mrs Corliss (chair), Miss Burt, Mrs -Withtrs, JvJiss Al)c;i, Miss Nora. Armstrong, Mrs J. Moloney, Mrs Branigan. Eoyal Terrace. London street (including Pitt street. — Mrs Tbeoniin (chair), Mr? J. Maclean, Mrs E. Hallendein, Miss Hart. Kaikorai. — Mis Richards. North End (Pitt street to Leith bvi<3<?p).— Mrs M'Gowan (ohair), Miss Fiaaer, Miss Alice Fraser, Mr? AHiers Cohen. For the nurses' fund a number of subscriptions v. ere received or premised, including the following- — Mrs A. Lps Smith, i : i si; 3lrs Burt, £2; Mrs Thfomm. iSJ'and SX a. month while the war l:i=ts) , Mrs i' ergus, £5 ss; Mrs A C. Begg, /10 . Mra E. 2-". Adams, 10s; Addie and Florrio Cohen, ins 61; Mrs T. D. Pearce, x 2 2a, Mrs Montgomery, ss; Mrs C. Fraser, ss; Mrs Baunern^n, 10s; Bishop Nevill, £1 a month during the lemainder of 1900. THE I.ADTES GET TO WORK QUICKLY Tbe ladies of Dime'lln are losing no time in ftouveh r organising their forces on behalf of tho cmUnojenl fund. At their meeting.vester Jay a', .thp Garrison Hall the Ladies' Commit top organised a hnuse-to-house canvas-:, and they are very Fanguine of obtaining a material pum. to swell the fund. Mrs CTordan Macdonald presided, and there was a large attendance. It: war, announced that Nurse. Milne had collected £12 for \lze fund. Mrs Ogston asked for an explanation as to the conditions under which nurses would be appointed. Mr Shields explained that the subcommittee appointed to receive applications for nurses and to report thereon to the Organising Committee understood that the nur?es would have to fulfil the conditions laid down by the Imperial Government for nurses offering for South Africa. Mrs Ogston asked if there was any limit as to age. Mr Shields replied that he did not know.

On the motion of Mrs Denniston, seconded Tjy Mrs Harper-Bell, it was-: resolved — " That the following ladies be elected an executive to subdivide the city and suburbs into districts and determine all matters in connection with the collection of the funds. Mcsdames SMaccionald (chair), Eva, Coi-li^, Theomin, M'Gowan, Cohen, Harper-Bell, and Mr Shields."Considerable care was taken in the subdivision provided in the resolution, and the following ladies are in charge of the various subdivisions : — Miss Fraser.— St. Clair and Forbury road. Mrs A. C. Begg. — Eoslyn, from tram to St. John's Church. j Mrs Corliss.— Cargill, Maclaggan, Eattray, I Dowling, Stuart, Duncan, Russell, Canongate, •Filleul, View, Brown, Arthur, and Young streets, York place, and Elm row. j Mrs Fergus. — Nevada, Pacific street, Main I road, Newington road, Driver's road, Maori Hill load, and Cosy Dale road. Mrs Gordon Macdonald. — High, Stafford, I .Walker, Clarke,- Hope, Melville, Maitland, ' Graham, and Manse streets. j Mrs Haiper-Bell. — Manor place, Maitland, ; liees, Melville, Market, and Princes streets. j Miss Dutton. — All Caveraham, down to Hillside, beginning at Forbury corner. Mrs Theomin. — Heriot row, Koyal terrace," Pitt, Elder, Constitution, London, ' Scotland, Albert, and Victoria streets. Miss Kirkcaldy. — Eglinton road, Main road to Caversham, and all Mornington. • Mrs M'Gowan. — Queen, George, Park, King, Union, Dundas, St. David, and Howe streets, j •Hegent road, and Forth place. j , Mrs Eva.— Albany,- Cumberland, Castle, Clyde, and Forth streets, Pelichet Bay, North-East Valley, and Opoho. Jtfurse Milne. — General collecting. , Mrs Corliss. — Government Buildings. Miss Larnach. — Peninsula. Miss Saunders. — Smith street. Miss Wise. — Burkes and St. Leonards. Miss G. Larnach. — Anderson's Bay, from Tolmie's corner to Tomahawk. Mrs Borrows. — Kaikorai. Miss Winchester. — Port Chalmers. Miss Watson. — Musselburgh. Miss Perry. — South Dunedin, from Cargill road to Musselburgh. i Miss M' Car thy. — Woodhaugh. I Mrs Withers and Mrs Branigan. — Eavensfcourne. NURSES' FUND. Nurse Hay reports that she collected £6 10s at Arrowlown on Friday, and would be at Pembroke on Saturday. Miss Maxwell reported that she had, up to Friday, collected £7 lls, and would be at Milton on Saturday. Other centres are apparently thinking of following the noble example set by the ladies of Otago in furnishing funds to send nurses to South Africa, for already several telegrams on this subject have been sent to the lion. sec. of the contingent. The country is not behind hand in assisting the nurses' fund, as will be seen from the fo^owing telegram received from Mr Laidlaw, Matakanui: — "Advise Ladies' Committee Mrs Lakllaw, Matakanui, contributes £2 2s towards nurses' fund." - The following additional subscriptions have been received for the nurses' fund : — Mrs Stephens, ss ; Mrs Mackerras, £2 ; St. Vincent de Paul Society, £3 3s ; Mrs Macgregor (Union street), £1. A meeting of the executive of the Nurses' I Fund Committee was held yesterday morning an one of the orderly rooms. Mrs Gordon Macdonald presided, and some 20 other energetic lady workers were present. The folloiving telegram from Colonel Penton was placed before the meeting: — "Following are the regulations for Army Nursing Reserve: Age, not under 25, nor over 35, yrith three years' service combined with training and certificate in civil hospital ; certificate of efficiency from medical officers and matrons under whom she has served; also certificates of good health." The applications were gone through, and it was at once decided to advertise for ap- j plications for nurses and to state that ap- j plications would close on Thursday. It was also decided that all six nurses should be sent from Otago, unless Southland provides £125 each for two nurses (£250), in which event two Southland nurses will be sent, and it was unanimously resolved to recommend the Nurses Subcommittee to send a wire to the Premier offering the services of six qualified nurses for South Africa, and guaranteeing their equipment, passage, and salary, as required by the Government. A unanimous recommendation was made — " That the nurses should be sent on the troopship with the contingent." It was arranged that Nurse Harris, in nurse's uniform, in addition to ranvassina" j Green Island, should canvass Palmerston and j Wai'kouaiti. Donations of £1 each were re- j ceived from Mrs C. E. Smith and Mrs Will?, j Miss Hoor>er, of Ashburton. and Nurse Ross and Nurse Morris, of Dunedin, have ; volunteered. ' ] DAILY TIMES LIST. i Dr Siedeberg £110 Frank Caverhill 0 10 6 The following telegram was received from Auckland: — Nurses Melita Jones and Margaret "White volunteer for South Africa. Hospital certificates 10 years' experience. High testimonials. — Miss Jones, Auckland. Nurses Fraser and Elder have been despatched to Oamaru to work that district on "behalf of the contingent fund and nurses' fund. Nurse Harris lias undertaken to canvass Greon Island. The following additional subscriptions have fceen received for the nursew' fund: — T. M. Elliott Elliott. £2; G-. H. Gilrov, £1; Mr Laidlaw (Matakanui), £2 2s; Mrs H. Turton, £1 Is.