RED CROSS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 565, 1 December 1915, Page 3

RED CROSS.

WOMEN'S BRANCH.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE

A meeting of the Women's Branch of the Red Cross Committee was held in the St. John Ambulance Rooms this morning. Mr J. A. Flesher (deputy chairman) presided. An apology for non-attendance was received from Mrs A. Boyle, head of the women's branch. The chairman reported that it had been decided to close the depot for a fortnight over the Christmas holidays, commencing on December 23. The account for materials,had been overdrawn to the extent of £7lO, but against that there were the stocks of material in hand. The fund itself was actually in credit to the extent of £2BOO 7/9. As the, Government had undertaken the re-equipment of the nurses who had lost all their belongings in the Marquette disaster, the chairman stated that the money had been sent to headquarters in Egypt, with a request that it be expended for the benefit of sick and wounded soldiers, if not required by the nurses in supplementing the equipment provided by the Government. Since the last meeting, it was stated, a city branch had been formed for the purpose of providing a fund to buy materials for people who are -ready to give their time towards making Red Cross articles, but have not money to purchase materials. This branch had its quarters in the room known as "the shop," in t.Vie downstairs portion of the Ambulance buildings.

V&rious reports from different departments were received as follow: — Miss Freeman reported that during the month 312 donations had been sent in by branches, 259 from individuals, and several from various schools. Mrs Smith reported that £1054 had been spent, on materials. Mrs Lavie reported a cheering increase in bandage work amongst the branches, no fewer than 19,377 roller bandages having been sent in during the month, an increase of 8791 on last montlx's total. Sixty-eight cases had been sent away, the total value of which were £750.

Mr Treleaven reported that since last meeting 411 crates of hares and 114 cases and bales of Red Cross supplies had been sent from the head centre to various destinations. A letter was read from Lady Godley conveying sincere thanks for money (£6OO altogether) .sent for the benefit of her Convalescent Home at Alexandria. CONCERT NEXT SUNDAY. "Writing from Pont de Koubbeh Hospital, in Cairo, a Bed Cross sergeant gives a vivid picture of the strenuous work done by nurses, doctors?, and ambulance men. In an already overcrowded hospital, these devoted men and women were taxed to the utmost limit of their strength, giving attention to our maimed, suffering boys, when, fyith hardly any notice, a further batch of wounded arrived. To the jad&l Red Cross workers it seemed impossible to accommodate the fresh arrivals; but it is part of the soldier's duty to accomplish the impossible. Room was soon found for the poor helpless fellows, and their wounds were carefully dressed. Our soldier boys are loud in their praise of nurses and ambulance men, who risk their lives over aud over again to aid the wounded. , The Red Cross work is one of the most important, and is well worthy of support. With a view to raising funds for this excellent work, a sacred concert has been arranged to be -held in Everybody V Tho&tre on Sunday evening, at 8.30. Among those who have; kindly consented to contribute items are Madame Gower; Burns, Misses Stella Murray, ! Lilian Harper, Daisy Cresswell, Lalla Hemus, Agnes Richardson, and Mrs-Angus,-Messrs Alfred Worsley, Murray Jones, Frank McDonald, Leonard Barnes, and, Melville Lawry. Admission will bo by silver coin, and when giving, all are asked to remember our boys lying in many a hospital with wounds received on our behalf.