GIFTS FOR PONT DE KOUBBEH HOSPITAL.

Southland Times, Issue 17786, 15 July 1916, Page 2

GIFTS FOR PONT DE KOUBBEH HOSPITAL.

To the Editor. Sir, —I have just read, in a cutting from a northern paper allegations made by a Gunner Murdoch of carelessness in handling of the gifts sent from New "Zealand to this hospital and of non-de-livery of these gifts to the men. Although the handling of tiiis gift ma- , terial is not in my department, yet I have constant opportunities of seeing it handled, and 1 wish to give the statements made by Gunner Murdoch an emphatic denial. Ills whole statement is untrue and casts a reflection on the honesty and capability of one of our best officers, the quartermaster, whlca he little deserves. This is bad enough, but worse than that, is the distress and uncertainty such a statement must raise in the minds of those who are sparing neither time nor trouble to help to ameliorate the condition of our sick and wounded boys. I feel that if a statement like this is allowed to pass it will have the effect of drying those springs of generosity which have done so much for, and meant so much to, our men. I can assure all .those sending gifts that In this Institution they are never neglected or handled carelessly, and that they reach the men through the proper channels. To take Murdoch s allegations categorically—lt is true that cases-are piled up outside the gift store for short periods. These cases come in large numbers, and every one is opened, i its contents sorted and noted before being put in the store. Like every other part of this hospital the gift department is cramped for room, and in a climate like this the sorting can be done outside quite well. There is little or no risk of things being destroyed by wet. All the rain I have seen in seven months here is a few showers. And Murdoch's statement, that before Christmas we had a week’s rain is surely due to some disorder of the Imagination. There was no week's rain and I don't believe there has been a week’s rain in this country since ages before the time of the Pharaohs. His further statement that he saw chocolate posing through the cases is absurd, for all the chocolate I have seen here comes In sealed tins. I find on investigation that Murdoch s record in this hospital Is not a first-class one, and as he would probably be dealt with according to his deserts he takes this method of “getting one back,” little rrlng the distress his ;words may cause, cannot but express surprise that any responsible journal would publish a quite unverified statement like this, and run the risk of doing so much harm and injustice. ... In conclusion I can assure those interested in the forwarding of gifts to this hospital that I can say from personal knowledge that their gifts are carefully handled and duly reach the men. —I am, etc. ' „,, ~ i p. H. HOGG, Capt., A.Z.M.C. X.Z. General Hospital, Pont dc Koubbeh, Cairo, Ist May, 1916.