THE RED CROSS SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20173, 27 February 1931, Page 17

THE RED CROSS SOCIETY.

ANNUAL REPORT. WORK FOB EX-SERVICE MEN. The annual report of the New Jsea»: land branch of the British Bed Croda Society and the Order of St. John says that the number of ex-service patients who received Bed Cross benefits during the year wds 331, "and that the total amount expended solely for the benefit of ex-service 'patients at ,the various hospitals and' sanatoria was £2146 15b 2d. The number of men! was divided among the sanatoria and Hospitals as follows! —Kannerdale Home," 21; Sana' borium and Coronation Hospital, 21; Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmor, 85; Sunnyside Mental Hospital, 79; Westland Mental Hospital, 13; Christchnrch Hospital, 8; Ashburton Public Hospital, 2; Timaru Public Hospital,:6; outpatients, 146. The number of ex-service patients whoi received issues of underclothing increased during the year from 125 in 1930 to 146. Two tex-servicemen at the Upper Sanatorium received issues.

The depot was open every Wednesday morning and fortnightly meetings _of the Management Committee; consisting of. Lady Wigram, Mrs Herbert Smith,, Mrs C. J. Treleaven, and Mrs E; Peate, were held. During the eix, months that Lady Wigrpm was in ■■■ Mrs Herbert Smith presided, In April the depot wa6 moved from Worcester fetreefc to the St. John v Ambulance building in Gloucester street.

At Hanmer the work .was 1 carried on as in previous, years, and letters from both soldiers -and civilians show how greatly it was appreciated.- ' All bed patients at the Coronation Hospital have been concentrated and transferred to the Upper Sanatorium as their condition" improved. At the Upper Sanatorium a picture programme has been shown each week, supplies of writing materials and papers and magazines provided 1 and fruit given fortnightly to each man by tho Bed Cross visitors. A taonthly grant has enabled the matron to buy extra food for the bed patients.

At.the Rannerdale Home Mrs Herbert Smith and Mr C. J. Ronaldson have represented the Society on the Management Committee, and as a member of the House Committee Mrs Smith has done all the buying that has been necessary. At each of the remaining, hospitals exservicemen have been visited regularly and have received supplies of cigarettes, tobacco, and fruit. i Peace-time Work.

Sister D. M. Christian*, of the Red Cross Nursing Service, in 1930 began work in the\North Canterbury district forming classes for instruction in home nursing at Oust, Woodend, Waikuku, Kaiapoi, and Rangiora, with a total membership of 301. Her lectures were well attended, and at the conclusion of the instruction a good proportion of'the students sat for examination, all passing. Matron. Voller, of the Rangiora Hospital, was the and the committee's thanks were accorded to her; also to the Mayors of Kaiapoi and Rangiora, to the secretaries of all the classes, and to the Hall and School Committees and other bodies which provided accommodation for the classes, and to all other people who helped in various ways. After finishing the'courses of instruction in. North Canterbury; Sister Chris-

tian went to Mid-Canterbury and formed classes at Sheffield, Russell's Flat, and Annatj Greendale, and .Kowai Bush, a total of 91 Btudents receiving instruction in home nursing. Matron Sims, of the Darfield Hospital, examined these classes at the conclusion' of the instruction, and;: again a good proportion sat for* examination,, pass-, ing. Sister' Christian then.formed, classes at Darfield, and ' Kimberley, Hallcett, Kirwee, and Aylesbury, and at West Melton. A total of 79 persons received instruction in home nursing' at these places. A fair proportion sat for examination, all passing. The executive, places on -record its appreciation, of the work done by Sister Christian. The report also records with very deep regret the death of Mr J. A. Flesher, 0.8.E./who had been a member of the organisation since 1914. **Tho

executive all Bed Cross trade-* era," the report concludes, **an4. those Who have visited' the men inthe hospitals and sanatoria in this districtdnr* ing.the past year. She executive also thanks the public Press for the ;space given to the repotts pf duping the year." t