CHEERFUL WOUNDED.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7920, 18 August 1917, Page 3

CHEERFUL WOUNDED.

SCENES IN ENGLISH HOSPITALS.

LIGHT OCCUPATION FOR CONVALESCENTS. , When the snow fell thick upon Salisbury Plain and the mud churned up in the New Zealand training camps some of pur fighting men speculated as to whether the Old Country measured up to the standard. But now that the sunshine of spring has suddenly wreathed the land in smiling pastures, budding trees, and delicate blossoms, they agree that “Old Blighty is after*all ‘some country,’ and well worth fighting for.” Even the men in hospitals and convalescent camps are ready to revise the impressions which they naturally formed in the unusually bitter winter. During the past fortnight (writes a London correspondent) the writer has visited Brockenhurst, Walton-on-Thames, and Hornchurch, names that are now familiar to many relatives and friends in New Zealand. These may be interested to hear of the conditions which are assisting the recovery of the men who have come back on the ebb tide from France. As a whole their spirit is remarkable. They want to get well in a hurry so that they may again help on with the Mg game and if possible be in at the finish. Well may New Zealand be proud of her soldier sons. A BUSH-FRINGED HOSPITAL. In the quaint old village of Brockenhurst there are four hospitals, but by far the largest is that which is reached by either of the serpentine roads which ascend the wooded slopes whereon stands the .ancient church. The trees and curves hide the military buildings, which are at the top of the rise. They are known locally as “Tin Town,” because of the nature of their construction. Lady Harding had them built as a present for the soldiers of India, but when the latter were withdrawn from France the hospital was handed over to the New Zealanders. In the springtime the surroundings are a fairyland. A few steps and one is in the heart*of New Forest, and then one may continue for miles through the most beautiful bushlands of southern England. We walked for miles beneath the shade of the matchless English trees, all freshly clad in new-born leaves, and finished up by filling our service caps with some of the primroses and violets that grow wildly and in profusion. A mile or so from the hospital is the age-worn Boldre Church, surrounded by bush and with scarcely a house near by. This is one of many favorite walks which the convalescents may take. Four miles distant is the historic Beauleau Abbey, with chapel and cloisters still intact. What more picturesque and historic surroundings could be found for a military hospital? And the fame of Brockenhurst Hospital is in keeping as a place where patients receive the most skilful attention. The same may be said of Walton-on-Thames and also of Hornchurch. Y.M.C.A. TO THE FORE. A most interesting feature is the provision which the Y.M.C.A. has made for the men in a variety of directions. In Brockenhurst a modernly-equipped institute has been established in the hospital grounds; the same applies at Hornchurch Convalescent Hospital, and at Walton-on-Thames a Y.M.C.A. Club exists in a large suburban residence half-way between the Oatlandse and Mt. Felix Hospitals.

The Hornchurch outfit is said to be the best of its kind in England. Not only has it all the conveniences of the principal London huts, but it contains a large workshop known as the hobbies department. Here are to bo seen dozens of blue coats busily plying tools, glad of some light and useful occupation with which to fill the time that otherwise must hang heavily in a convalescent camp. Under the guidance of an instructor some were engaged in cabinet-making, others (principally Maoris) were carving walking sticks, some were making picture frames, bread boards, and coal scuttles, etc., while the remainder carried on a diversity of operations from basket-making to pen-painting. This new phase of Y.M.C.A. work lias the warm approval, of the military authorities, and it is being extensively developed in other directions. No better way can be found of providing the wounded with light occupations agfeinst the time when they return to civilian life. It touches the problem of the future. A MOTHERLY TOUCH. A department which the men highly appreciate is the canteen and refreshment room, which is conducted in a splendid manner by a body of honorary women workers. Everything is cooked on the premises and the boys say that it is the next best thing to home. A full round of entertainments is also provided by front-rank artists from London, also by lecturers and cinema outfit. Similar operations are carried on at the Brockenhurst Y.M.C.A., but at Walton-on-Thames the methods are different. There the patients are mothered by a staff of lady workers, whose number includes some of the original New Zealand Volunteer Sisterhood who rendered such excellent service in Egypt. They have converted the large brick residence into a charming rest place for the sick lads, and just now . the grounds are rendered as attractive as the interior by spacious lawns, shady trees, and springtime flowers. A DAY ON THE RIVER. Our visit took place on a Sunday afternoon and the men in blue were there in dozens. They Were enthusiastic over the enjoyment of a river picnic which the Y.M.C.A. ladies had organised for the previous day. It seemed that a party of 160 patients including 19 spinal chair cases had gone up the river by chartered steamer as far as Windsor, and in their own words “had the time of their lives.” The Colonel was at the wharf to see them off and again to meet them. Appreciating the success of the outing he requested* the Y.M.C.A. ladies to organise another on his behalf. Thus are the Association’s representatives co-operating on every hand with the military authorities in improving the conditions and adding to the comfort of our soldiers before and after the battle.

MOST PROMPT AND EFFECTUAL FOR BAD COLDS. Whin you have a had cold you want a remedy that will not only give relief, but effect a prompt and permanent cure, a remedy that is pleasant to take, a remedy that contains nothing injurious. Chamberlain’s Cough Remedy meets all these requirements. It acts on Nature’s plan, relieves the

lungs, aids expectoration, opens the secretions and restores the system to a healthy condition. This remedy has a world-wide sale and use, and can always be depended upon. Sold by R. W. Todd, Chemist, Waipawa, and W. Malenoir, Otane.