THE HOSPITAL SHIP.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144853, 3 December 1915, Page 3

THE HOSPITAL SHIP.

PITTING OF THE MARAMArsn PEEKS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Dec. 2.The hospital ship Marama, the second New Zealand vessel to be fitted up for service abroad , under tho Rod Cross flag, arrived at Wellington at 1 p.m. yesterday from Port Chalmers. As tho vessel steamed up the harbour she presented a very pleasing sight, and excited in watchers a feeling of pride in tho good ship which will leave these shores shortly on her errand of mercy. The well-known Rod Cross flag was flying at tho masthead, and her white sides, relieved with a broad green stripe from stem to .stern, glistened in the bright sunlight. She was berthed at. the King's' Wharf, where only a few people having business with the ship were allowed on board. The Marama’s transformation is as complete as can be, and she is now hardly recognisable as the mail liner so well known in the Vancouver and San Francisco mail services. Although the Marama has undergone a transformation on deck, it is down below that everything, has boon almost completely altered. Tho once luxurious saloons have been stripped and refitted with everything required to make' tho lot of maimed and wounded soldiers as easy as possible. The lay-out of the Marama is on practically the same lines as those of the Maheno. On deck there is a room with a lingo steam steriliser, and at the rear is +ho mortuary. On tire deck below are the receiving room and tho operating and preparatory rooms. The two latter are fitted in tho most up-to-date manner, and electric fans will keep them con! in the hottest climates. In response to inquiries which have boon received as to what will be useful for the patients and staff on the ship’, tho officer commanding desires it to fie known that gramophones, records, music, quoits and other deck games, apples or other fruits will bo gratefully received. Any such gifts may be consigned to tho hospital ship, care of Captain Bilton, “K” shed, Railway Wharf, advice! being contemporaneously sent to the ship’s quartermaster. ; Tho Victoria Bowling Club has donated two pianos for use on tho vessel, and tho sum of £32 10s, which was collected by tho passengers and crow on tho Marama on her last voyage from San Francisco, has been devoted to the purchase of a microscope for use in the bacteriological laboratory on tho ship. One gramophone and records have been donated by Mr. T. Mantle, of. Queenstown.