H—22A

Expending Agents At its first meeting the Board appointed the following expending agents : The Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society. The Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Blinded Servicemen's TrustBoard. The High Commissioner for New Zealand in London. The New Zealand Senior Trade Commissioner in Australia, Sydney. Major K. R. Collins, Cairo. The Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society This organization is entrusted with the work of providing comforts and amenities for the sick and wounded, as well as the conduct of the four convalescent homes mentioned previously, and the recreation huts attached to the hospitals at Auckland, Rotorua, Lower Hutt, and Wellington. An important phase of the organization's work is that of diversional and occupational therapy, which does much towards promoting the happiness of patients, and in many instances equips them with a means of livelihood on discharge from hospital. During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1948, the following comforts, &c., were distributed by the Joint Council to ex-service patients throughout New Zealand Cigarettes (packets) . . .. .. .. 146,884 Tobacco(packets) .. .. .. .. 22,249 Tissues (packets) .. .. .. .. 22,257 Fruit (cases of 40 lb. each) ~ .. .. 930 Chocolate and sweets (packets) .. .. 79,182 Cake (blocks) .. .. .. .. 713 Aerated waters (dozens) .. .. .. 72 Periodicals .. .. .. .. .. 26,752 Clothing (including pyjamas, dressing-gowns, and underclothing) .. .. .. .. 2,237 Handkerchiefs .. . . .. .. 2,033 Hospital supplies (including face-cloths, towels, sheets, hot-water bags, pillow-slips, &c.) .. 1,99^ Soap (tablets) .. .. .. .. 144 Games of all kinds (including playing-cards, assorted games, table tennis, cricket-sets, golf-balls, &c.). Tea (lb.) .. .. .. .. .. 1,260 Sugar (lb.) .. .. .. .. .. 2.520 Books—a comprehensive range supplied to all homes and huts. In addition, supplies of tooth-paste, tooth brushes, razor blades, safety razors, &c. r were made available when requested. Picnic parties, sports events, concert parties, and other recreational facilities were also arranged for the sick throughout the year. The Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Blinded Servicemen's Trust Board This Board has been appointed expending agent to provide relief, assistance, and support for blinded ex-servicemen and their dependants. An amount of £25,000 has been allocated for the purpose.

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