TWO BALKAN HEROINES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1687, 1 March 1913, Page 2

TWO BALKAN HEROINES.

The London correspondent of tho Sydney "Telegraph" writes that amidst all tho horrors attending tho present war, it is inspiring to read of the splendid work done in. tho sacred causo of charity to suffering humanity by two aged women, Mifa Alt. a native of Switzerland, agea 70, and her friend, Mrs. Schneider, who were the first to devoto themselves to tho cholera patients at San Stefa'no, near Constantinople. The struggle against overwhelming odds, when all'others appeared unable to copo with tho tragic situation, has resulted, in both ladies breaking down after eovere attacks of cholera, and these two grand old heroines aro now in sad and straitened circumstances. Miss Alt. the Florence Nightingale of tho Balkans, was formerly a trained nurse, and was sent out by Lady Dulferin many years ago, when tho latter attempted to found an institution of nursing among Turkish mothers. Tho scheme did not succeed, but Miss Alt remained in Constantinople, and became a governess in Turkish families She was with a family living at San Stefano when the oholera camj) was established there. The terrible condition of the camp where the stricken soldiers were dving unattended, touched her, and she plunged into the work with the aid of her friend, Mrs. Schneider and tho Rev. Robert Frew, the Scottish minister in Constantinople. Sho spent her own money freely, and despite her great age worked in the camp from G in the morning until 5 in the evening, often without food, administering 60up and water to the oholera victims, and tramping through tho revolting filth, heedless of contamination. Others joined the band and brought order out of chaos in the camp. Later, funds were supplied from the British and American Embassies. An appeal is being made to establish a fund to help theso two grand women by Lady Lowther, wifo of the British Ambassador, Mrs. Rockhill, wifo of the American Ambassador, Colonel Surtees, British Red Crescent, Major Wylie, British Red Cross, Hon. Mauiice Baring, and others. An eyo witness who' saw Miss Alt at work in camD writes of her as follows:— "She is the Florence Nightingale of this little place, and the poor invalfds speak of her with low-voiced reverence. .She is modest—may I say almost to abruptness—about the magnificent work sho is doing. If the world is to see what this brave old lady is like, it will be only by means of a snapshort taken unawares or against her wish. She has an insuperable objection to being photographed, and she- has but the fewest and the most modest wordsy about her work. But when ono sees her busy almost from dawn to dawn, ono can only think that talk about it is useless. It is the highest heroism, and that will always,speak for itself. She is deserving of the Victoria Cross or some other recognition of tho highest order, and it is felt that tho appeal to help Miss Alt and her fellow heroine will be met with a generous responso in this country —the homo of Florence Nightingale.

' Messrs. J. H. Bpthuno and Co. announce in our auction, column.-, of to-duy that on Wednesday next, at 2.30 p.m., at their rooms, Featherston Street, they are holding an auction sale of well-situated business premises. Ono of the best sites is No. 200 Cuba Street, near Ingestro Street. The land has a frontage oi 201't. to Cuba Street, by a depth oi 115 ft. 3in„ and on it stands a well-built shop, office, and dwelling of five rooms, with a workshop measuring 19ft. x 20ft. at the back. Being so centrally situated, .it is suitable for any business v.-hich combines manufacturing with retail trade. To commemorate tho visti of the battlecruiser New Zealand to this country, the proprietors of tho "Three Castles" tobacco and cigarettes have decided to issue a souvenir picluro of the New Zealand, printed in ten colours. Copies of the picture may bo obtained on conditions which are advertised in this issue. Under tho auspices of tho Unity Congress Committee mass meeting will lie held in His 'Majesty's Theatre to-morrow (Sunday) evening, at 8 o'clock, when tho speakers advertised will take part, and tho Waterside Workers' Band will rendor selections. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, la. 6d, For Chronio Chest Complaints,*