U.S.’WOUNDED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22475, 9 January 1943, Page 4

U.S.’WOUNDED

Varied Assistance

No Efforts Spared

Sightless cane workers -in the NewZealand Institute for the Blind. Auckland, have helped to provide for the comfort of American servicemen who are patients in a certain naval hospital. They have made a number of gaily-painted tbunge chairs and foot rests for the use of convalescents, and it is stated by some of the Americans , that the quality of workmanship and decoration exceeds anything they have seen in their own country. The presence of these chairs is only one of many indications at the hospital that the United States Navy, with the experienced and well-financed assisance of the American Red Cross, has explored every local avenue likely to enhance the welfare of the patients. Typical American energy overcame a shortage of card tables for recreation halis and lounges in this and other United States establishments. It was discovered that a Wellington factory which could have met requirements had closed; the Americans caused it to re-open. Need for Tennis Balls A famine in tennis balls is receiving the Americans’ attention because they recognise the importance of this form of recreation in strengthening the injured muscles of certain types of convalescent patients. An effort is being made to secure the New’ Zealand manufacture of a sufficient quantity of balls to enable such men to play tennis. The Americans are thorough-going in their methods of restoring convalescents to full physical efficiency. Some people who have hesitated to invite limping Americans into their homes because of hilly or many-step approaches have been told that exercise of this type is exactly what some of these servicemen need. Among the convalescents there are those who have been fortunate enough to have gone to Taupo and other fishing areas. It is obvious that the Americans are not hide-bound in controlling the excursions of some types of patients, provided that what they do helps them along the road to recovery, and as a result New Zealand trout are rapidly gathering to themselves a naw band of fervid admirers. Gratitude to Citizens The Americans are very grateful to citizens for their offers to entertain patients in their homes and whenever it is possible to accept such invitations it is the intention to do so. To this end. the American Red Cross, as one of its many-sided activities, has circulated to ail prospective hosts and to all patients wishing to make use of such offers, a questionnaire to discover their respective interests. Thoroughness again is the keynote. The forms elicit from the servicemen their religion, education, civilian occupation. recreational interests, hobbies. and types of home preferred. From the prospective hosts are asked the numbers, ages, sex, and occupation of those in the household, preferences of numbers, religion, nationality, rank, branch of service, and educational background; their entertainment facilities, hobbies, and special interests, and whether they can provide transportation. The object of each interrogation is to ensure as far as passible that the selection of guests and hosts will be satisfactory to both parI ties and so avoid disappointment.