THE HOSPITAL SHIP

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2471, 26 May 1915, Page 8

THE HOSPITAL SHIP

LIST OF REQUISITES APPEAL FROM LORD LIVERPOOL COST OF EQUIPMENT £25,000 The following list of articles, etc., required for the equipment of the Hospital Ship, and instructions with regard to their disposal are forwarded by His Excellency the Governor: — 1200 feather pillows to fit pillow-slips of size given below. 1600 pairs white blankets (size for single beds, thick). 2400 sheets (2 yards by 3 yards). 2400 pillow-slips (21in. by 32in.). 1200 white Marcella quilts. 1000 bath towels. 2800 face and hand towels. 1200 pairs pyjamas 1200 nightingales. 1200 bed jackets. 800 nightshirts. 2000 day shirts (flannel). 2000 undervests (not thick). 2000 bed socks. 800 felt slippers 1600 pairs day socks (knitted). 2000 face wash cloths. 6000 handkerchiefs (large). 1000 flannel drawers (not too thick). 1000 flannel dressing gowns., 1000 flannel waistcoats (without sleeves). 30 gross of various buttons. 500 hair-combs. 750 reels of cotton thread (black). 750 reels of -cotton thread (white). 100 packets of needles (various). 250 pieces of tape (black). 250 pieces of tape (white). 1000 canvas slices (ordinary men's sizes). 200 pounds worsted (various), in Jib. packets (201b. equals 30 pieces). 50 sets of shoe brushes (patterns 15 to 17, various assorted). \ 1200 deck chairs. 1000 cushions. 1000 rugs. 1000 mufflers (ljyd. by Ift.). 1000 balaclavas. An unlimited number of bandages of calico, gauze, crepe volpeau, crepe fardar, flannel, many tailed. 2 additional motor launches are also required. Dimensions: Up to 16 h.p., 28 feet length, 7 feet 6 inches or 9 feet beam. Disposal of the Goods. (1) The above is the final list of requisites for the complete equipment of the Hospital Ship. (2) His Excellency is prepared to receive communications from the four centres of the Order of St. John, viz., Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and from the Mayors of these four cities, who, it is understood, have in certain cases been asked to act for outlying distriots. Where this, however, is not practicable. His Excellency would like all such communications to pass through local Mayors, but ■he hopes, owing to the great amount of work which will fall upon him prior to the dispatch of the ship, that associations will band themselves together in order that matters may be thus expedited, 'l'hesa arrangements apply only to gifts in kind. Communications should bo addressed to His Excellency the Governor, Government House, Wellington, and marked "Hospital Ship.'.' (3) All cases of goods, with a list of the contents in the top of each, should be addressed to the Governor at Government House, Wellington, but His Excellency should be advised prior to their dispatch through tho channels mentioned in paragraph two. In the case of Wellington, othor arrangements will be made. The advice should state clearly the number of articles, from where sent, and when dispatched. (4) Tho Governor would be glad to receive any contributions of the above articles as soon as possible, and not later than Thursday, June 10, in order to allow time for any further articles, if needod, to be purchased. (5) It is understood that the school children aro anxious to contribute something towards the equipment, and it has been suggested that they might undertake the provision, of the handkerchiefs and bandages. Cost of Equipment About £25,000. (6) It is impossible to give an absolutely accurate estimate of the cost of tho equipment, but as far as it can be ascertained at the present moment, the sum required will amount to approximately £25,000, exclusive of tho articles mentioned above. Should there be any surplus available after the complete equipment, it will be utilised for the benefit of New Zealand sick and wounded wherever required.

(7) It will bo noticed that the public havo been asked to contribute goods in kind which are most readily available. Tlie provision of surgical instruments, drags, otc., will bo found out of the money contributions, as it is absolutely essential that the medical officer in charge of the ship should personally supervise and select these stores. Tho Pharmacy Board has most generouslv offered to furnish the drugs and requirements of the dispensarv, and tho Hon. Dr. Collins is personally communicating with them on the suoj'ect.

(8) While fully recognising the generosity of certain districts 'in their desiro to provide and maintain beds or cots, and havo them named after them, it has been found, after mature consideration. that such a scheme would reallv be most difficult to arrange, _ and_ it ia therefore hoped that the ship will he equipped as a national gift. (9) It has been suggested to me that samples of the above articles should be sent, but after consultation with the authorities, it would appear that this would be unnecessary, as the above descriptions will furnish all the necessarv information.

(10) As there are marjy places where there is no branch of the Bank of New Zealand, the postal authorities have undertaken to arrange for the free transmission of all money contributions to the Hospital Ship Fund. These contributions, therefore, may bo lodged at any post office throughout tho Dominion, in addition to-the two othor channels mentioned in my appeal on May 19, viz., any branch of the Bank of New Zealand, or Mr. J. Hislop, Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.

(11). Tlie Government is providing for tho hire of and all costs of fitting up and maintaining the Hospital Ship in every respect, including -wards, bedsteads, operating-rooms, laundries, bakeries. wash-houses, otc.