RED CROSS NOTES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1231, 22 January 1918, Page 2

RED CROSS NOTES.

AT THE CENTRAL DEPOT. There arc now at least 110 men at the Quern Jlary Hospital, Hanmcr, and the comforts department has in consequence increased its supply of comforts for the week. In addition to the regular allowance of tobacco and cigarettes, two cases each of tomatoes and apricots have been purchased, and also 501b of cake, and donations of two four-gallon jars of, pickled walnuts, one case of jam, and one ease of cooking apples were forwarded. At the request of the men, four tins of biscuits have also been purchased and sent up. With the fruit season coming on, the depot workers would like to ask all those who are lucky enough to possess fruit gardens to remember the wounded men and the tediousness of their convalescence. Frr.lt brought in to the depot on Wednesday or Thursday mornings is always in time for the weekly consignment of comforts sent to Hanmer.

Not only has the department been busy with the local hospitals, but an opportunity lias occurred of sending extra foodstuffs to Egypt. The shipment sent was made up of £IOO worth of tinned fruit, £25 worth of nourishing biscuits, £2OO worth of Glaxo. and some extract of meat. At the same lime £2OO worth of food comforts have been sent to England to be placed on board returning transports and liners for the use of the wounded. Our representatives in London now make, on behalf of this centre, special provision for the wounded men in the way of nourishing foods, as that on the liners and transports is not always suitable for side and wounded.

Towards the above amount spent on comforts, £IOO or the money subscribed to the kitchen raffle has been used. It is the intention of the committee to use the greater part of that particular fund for the purchase of comforts.

A letter of thanks has been received from the O.C. No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital, iirockenhurst, and three letters also arrived from the London Committee of the New Zealand Red Cross, acknowledging the arrival of 50 cases of garments, etc., in different shipments.

The excellence, in both quantity and quality, of the work of an invalid girl ol about 15 years of age, who works for the Sydenham Branch, calls for special mention. Last month's work (and it was nol exceptional) consisted of 3 pairs of socks 1 balaclava, 1 pair or mittens, 1 dozen fact cloths, 1 dozen handkerchiefs, 1 vest, and 7 stump socks.