PATRIOTIC FUND BOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 56, 8 March 1946, Page 3

PATRIOTIC FUND BOARD

SELLING UP ASSETS IN MIDDLE EAST WELFARE WORK PRAISED. (P.A.) Wellington, March 6. Colonel F. Waite, commissioner lor the National Patriotic Fund Board in the Middle East, expects to arrive in Wellington about the end of the month. He has been commissioner for the board since June, 1940. Latterly, Colonel Waite and those associated with him in welfare work in the Middle East have been attending to the sale of patriotic assets and the provision of comforts and amenities for the troops returning to New Zealand, or going to Japan. In a recent report to the board he said they had got on very well with the clearing of assets. His assistant Major K. Collins, might have everything wound up by the end of March, but would remain for a time to attend to the completion of realisations, and would also act as 2nd N.Z.E.F. liaison officer in Egypt. The hospital shio Maunganui, leaving about the middle of February. was bringing the last of sick personnel, and the work of the New Zealand Red Cross and St. John was completed in the Middle East. Colonel Waite specially mentioned services given in the winding-up process by Lieut. K. Fookes, accountant for the New Zealand Forces Club and canteen stores, Capt. C. A. Carter, auditor, and Major K. Collins, who had the greater part of the burden of assembling and selling the assets, and Mrs. Blackford, who has seen the Red Cross and St. John work through to the very end. It was not possible to assess the work she had done in visiting New Zealand sick in hospital, particularly in the 78th British hospital. If a good finish had been made to the welfare work among New Zealand personnel, it was because of the four he had mentioned.