RED CROSS SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1940, Page 8

RED CROSS SOCIETY

MASTERTON SUB-CENTRE. ACTIVITIES FOR PAST MONTH. The monthly meeting of the Masterton Sub-Centre of the Red Cross Society was held in the Red Cross Rooms in Park Street on Wednesday. In the absence of Mrs Tolhurst, Mrs H. E. Pither presided. A letter from the Centre in regard to the allocation of funds from the Sub-Centres to the Centre and Headquarters in Wellington was read to the meeting. The assessment of the SubCentres is allocated on a membership basis and the allocation from the Masterton Sub-Centre is £23 2s. This amount was passed for payment. The following letter was received from the' Matron of the Masterton Hospital (Miss Barnett): “I must acknowledge with grateful thanks the cheque for £lO sent by your Society for the use of the sick soldiers in the Masterton Hospital. Over 70 men have passed through our hands since the camp opened at Tauherenikau, and we now have one ward set aside for their own use, although there are other soldiers on occasion in the other wards also. Thanks to the help given by your donation and by the interest shown by various members, we have been able to make the men much I more happy and comfortable than i would otherwise have been possible. They have been supplied with cigar- I ettes, oranges, books and magazines, i games and music as well as having been given hospitality during their convalescence before returning to camp. Many friends have called for the men in their own cars, and where this has not been possible, taxis have been procured to take them to their destination. Twelve pairs of pyjamas and 12 pairs of sleeping socks were ali?o provided and were much appreciated. Influenza as you know is a very depressing complaint, and the men are mostly far from their own homes, so that the work of the Red Cross Society on their behalf has been very much appreciated, and one and all are most grateful for all that has been done. Many thanks for offering further help; I will not hesitate to ask. if it is needed.”

Mrs Page presented the report of the Hospital Auxiliary as follows:— "From August 17 to September 17, 17 soldiers were placed in homes for 48 hours’ convalescence. Special teas were supplied to the soldiers twice weekly, all food for these teas being specially donated. An appeal for a gramophone, records, books, playing cards, etc., brought forth an immediate response. Mr W. H. Saunders had kindly lent a wireless set for a month. Each week papers and illustrateds were supplied.” Mr Lee reported that a wireless set had been donated to the hospital to replace the one kindly loaned by Mr Saunders for the sick soldiers’ use. Another wireless set was needed and members of the committee were asked to make this need known.

The Knitting and Sewing Groups reported that they were both meeting once a fortnight and that many garments had been completed. Both groups were concentrating on warm clothes for distressed British civilians. Two cases of these had already been dispatched and a further consignment would be packed and sent away next week. Many donations of new and remade garments had been received and a splendid contribution of about 80 garments had just been handed in from the Federated Women’s Institutes. At the next meeting of the Knitting Group on October 9 Mrs Cleghorn will give an address on Palestine. The last of the Red Cross mechanics’ classes will start on Wednesday. October 9, and anyone wishing to join should inform the secretary. Up to date 51 persons have joined this class and in connection with this a list of those available for transport driving has been sent to the Emergency Precautions Committee. The Red Cross Society feels that it owes a debt of gratitude to Mr Fagan and to his mechanics whose generous co-operation made the holding of these mechanics classes possible.