FACING THE CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2305, 12 November 1914, Page 2

FACING THE CRISIS

AT ST. JOHN'S GATE, LONDON.

The following interesting letter in regard to Red Cross work in Britain has been received in Wellington from a well-known Wellington resident,; at present visiting England, and in closo contact with tho Order, of-St; John of Jerusalem in England:—

Probably never during the whole 800 years of its existence lias there been so'much activity in Red Cross work at St, John's Gate, Clerkenwell, London, than at the present_ time. The establishment referred to is t.he headquarters of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, where the Chapter-General has appoint? fid'special'committees to deal with the work of some of its sub-organisations during the European conflagration. Serving on some of the committees are the Duchess of Bedford, tho Duchess of Wellington, the Duchess pf--Portland, the Countess of Derby, the Countess of Dudley, the Countess of Scarborough, Lady Randolph Churchill, Lady Con-, stance Milnes-Gaskell.(the eldest daughter of Lord Ranfurly), Lady Perrott, and 3- host_ of other prominent people with and without titles, all actively engaged iti the venerable Priory building, One-'of the apartments therein has been converted 'into a receiving room, where hundreds of garments come to hand every day for distribution in accordance wtih the aim of Queen "Mary's Needlework Guild. Another large room has been utilised as a_ special store for comforts which are dispatched to hospitals and convalescent homes for the benefit of the bravo men injured in battle. The Chapter Hall—which holds 200 peoplo and contains the throne of the Duke of Connauglit, Grand Prior — is occupiod for organising purposes. Out of this beautiful Chapter Hall there daily issued a band of ladies, led by the Duchess of Bedford 1 , who recently collected thirty thousand pounds for Rod Cross work in about a week. Recently the French and Belgian Red Cross Societies cabled to St. John's Gate for capable nurses, and 133 surgeons and women skilled in surgery were sent across the'Channel'within twelve hours after the request was made. Many people in England have offered to prbvido convalescent homes, and- a committeo at St. John's Gate codifies these offers and arranges them according to locality. They are being equipped with everything needful for tho uso of our wounded soldiers and sailors, and stocked with comforts to gladden the hearts of the Empire's gallant defenders. In addition to the foregoing sipnn of the , inuitant spirit permeating - those con.

oerned, many active crusaders in other departments' connected with the- organisation ; of Si;. Jofin are directed by'the. Earl of Plymouth, Sir R,ichar4 Temple, Sir Herbert Pe.r'rptt, and Sir James Clark, the eminent surgeon. The lastnamed gentleman is the Chief Commissioner pf the gt,, John Ambulance Brigade, which: numbers • twenty-five • thpur sand members in England, trained and certificated in' ambulance,and nursing work. Sir James. Clark is tirelesß in his offorts to supply personnel at the:seai/ of war, and many of his officers are stationed in different parts of .the country, supervising the enrolment of reservists for the War Office. Among those attached to his headquarters staff at St. John's Gate is Mr. W. B. Fisher, of Wellington, who has been actively engaged in the promotion of ainbulanci and nursing work in New Zealand for the past twenty-five years. Mr. DarvilSmith is the .energetic and capable secretary of the St John Ambulance Brigade, and is also Director of the Territorial Voluntary Aid: Detachments for the County of Middlesex. Sinoo.war broke out nearly five thousand St. John Ambulance Brigade men have been mobilised at Chatliam, Devonport, and Portsmouth; largo numbers are now serving at ihe front; others as hospital, orderlies with the Royal Army and Navy, and thousands more ready to go into the fighting line with tlieir tourniquets, bandages, and stretchers, to rescue~the wounded. _ Every helper is acting under the inspiration of _ the ancient motto of St. John: "Pro Fide; Pro TJtilitate Hpminum."

A bright entertainment provided by Mr. W. E. Fuller was givep in the Sailors' Friend- Mission. Hall last eyening; the missioner, Mr. J. Moore,-, pro siding. In spite of the' inclement weather there was a largo attendance of the sailors in port, wfio thoroughly enjoyed the concert. Songs were given by Madame Mueller, Misses Eva Smith, C'. Hill, Halliburton, "Wilson, and Mr. Dovraes. ' Recitations by Master Tonkß, and' pianoforte solo by Messrs. Green and Jones. Miss Hendry played the accompaniments. During the evening a mouth orgim and conundrum competition took place. A'temperance address was given by the Missioner, and was followed 'by ,6eyeral men taking the pledge. At the close of the evening a hearty vote of thanks Was accorded the performers.

In reply to numerous inquiries Mies Milsom states that the person who is lucky enough to discover paste,. powder, or liquid to remove superfluous hair "permanently would confer a Messing as'well' as accumulate a fortune, _ Scienco'proves that nothing has been discovered.- Tiehair will grow again; and Miss Milsom challenges any person to prove \t.h& contrary. Electrolysis' (performed by.' a skilled person) is the only treatment known to science that will kill the hair root, thus removing it for ever. The battery Miss Milsom uses lias not its equal in the colonies, having all the.Jatest'improvements. The operation is painless mid leaves no. scar. Foreign.advertisements may mislead;, but experience teaches. All treatments for falling nnd grov hair, delightful face manipulation. Clients taught to attend themselves. All preparations for hair nnd face stocked. Miss Milsom. Barnett's Buildings, 4 doors above "Evening Post," 91 Willis Street. Tel. BU.-Advt. ...

The Boer general Francois JoubertPienaar recently arrived at Bordeaux to offer'his sword to the Allied armies. "I fought against General French.in Affioft. N«w"I-am soifiß.to .ftsjjt with ham," said the eeiierai.