HOSPITAL SHIP FUND.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 48, 7 August 1915, Page 18

HOSPITAL SHIP FUND.

To the People of New Zealand

THE actual amount subscribed to the Hospital! Ship Fund amounted to £47,548 17s, which 1 desire to say far exceeded my expectations. In my letter to the public Press on May 26th, I enumerated some of ■the articles which would be required for the equipment of the ship; and, as far as 1 could, I estimated the approximate cost of such equipment. This of course, included many items not specified my me, and which I believed could only be acquired by being purchased. The actual money expended on equipment wiH be approximately £16,000. Now, in many instances, articles which it was never thought likely would be forwarded (as they were not specified in the list of suggested goods) were donated, and further, the donors forwarded sums of mooey ias well, with the result that the equipment was carried out at a consideraby less cost than could possibly have .been anticipated. So many donors in writing to me said that they were in entire accord that we should utilise money tor the use of the sick and wounded wherever it was required, and toerefoie made further contributions with the desire that the surplus should be as large as possible, while .at the same time intimating that the upkeep o the equipment of the Hospital bhip should bi our first care. I quite concur myself with tihese views, and 1 have thought it desirable to ask certain gentlemen to assist me with th£r advice as to the adminwtratwn of the surplus. They are: the Hon. CoCel J Allen, M.P., A. Myers, lfca MP., Brigadier-General A. Kb C.M.G., and The-Wor-iMm the Mayors of Wellington, Auckland, Chrfetehur* and Dun«din These gentlemen have most kindly agreed to assist me in every W TC lb dwin, g the last", few weeks been in close communication with all Se centres abroad where our wounded are located,, and have got definite information that tiiy receiving every possible attention. This has been luitJher confirmed by personal lettei from the men to myself, and wheie men have been scattered, arrangements have been made to keep in dose touch with them. I despatched in the Maheiio 32 cases for use in the base hospitals an Ecrvnt and after communication with the Governor a^P?™™ in-Chief in Malta (Field-Marshal the Lordl Methuen) money and newspaper® were despatched, for the sick Lid wounded in that Island. I think therefore, we can consider that the wants of our men are very well attended to both in Egypt and Malta. At the same time if gifts are despatched to either of these two bases, tihe articles enumerated in my letter to the newspapers! on July otti, namely:

Mediitmi weight shirts (woollen ma-

terial) Veste Drawers Socke Pyjamas Cholera Belts Bandages,

would always be acceptable and th« Secretary tor Internal Affairs would ahvaysbe prepared! to arrange tor their despatch. Where, however, I propose to devote my chief attention at the present time is to those sick and wounded at present in England. Lord Blunket, who is chairman of the New Zealand Committee in Great Britain for assisting our sick and wounded, has acquired an auxiliary hospital-ait Walton on, Thames called "Mount Felix," which will' accommodate some 110 beds, but which be assured me can be extended to carry 300 or 400 beds, amd) which needs considerable support. He further adds that this scheme has the full concurrence of the Army Council. Let it be distinctly borne in mind that the Imperial Government has made adequate arrangements for the care of New Zealand sick and wounded but they cannot necessarily guar-

airatee that they can be located in one hospital, and it is for this reason the New Zealanders at Home luave started tin's institution which is .assisted by the New Zealand Government, the Imperial Government, and private contributions. It is readily understood that it is a great boon to the wounded to be associated with their own comrades.

At a meeting held at Government House, Wellington, on July 29th, I put all these views before the gentlemen, who I have said have been kind enough to advise me, and I propose with their full concurence to devote our energies to assisting Loird Plunket and his Committee in furthering their aims, as by. doing so I feel convinced we shall, materially assist the comfort of our sick and wounded. We have also agreed; to place ail moneys on deposit, making arrangements for withdrawal when necessary, but at the same time not to allow the balance in the Bank to fal below a certain figure, so that it will ■be available for replenishing anything required for tihe Maheno. By this arrangement I am convinced that we shall be able to put the generous donations of the New Zealand people to their fullest use. In conclusion-, I should like to take this opportunity, as the Head of the Order of St. John m New Zealand!, of thanking the several shipping companies who trade direct with the United Kingdom from New Zealand for having so generoijsiy carried various hospital requirements free since the commencement of the war. Owing to the fact, however, that we have now a large number of sick and wounded located in Egypt and the Mediterranean, the P. and 0. and Orient Steamship Companies have been approached, and have also kindly consented! to allocate certain space for the same purpose. . In order to allow us to take advantage of this offer, the Union and Huddart Parker Steamship Companies have kindly agreed to carry the goods free to Australia. All .applications for space should be made direct to the Under Secretary for Internal Affairs, Wellington, who will ascertain when and! liow the goods can be despatched. LIVERPOOL, Govern or.