For Sick and Wounded in England.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2529, 2 August 1915, Page 6

For Sick and Wounded in England.

"Where, however, I propose to devote my chief attention at the present' time is to those sick and wounded at present in England. Lord Plunket, who is chairman of the New Zealand Committee in Great Britain for assisting our sick and wounded, lias acquired an auxiliary hospital at Walton-on-Thames, called 'Mount Felix,' which will accommodate some 110 beds, but which he assures me can bo extended to cany 300 or 400 beds, and which needs considerable support. He further adds that this scheme has the full concurrence, of the Army Council. "Let it be distinctly born© in mind that the.lmperial Government has made' adequate. arrangements for the /Care of New .Zealand sick and wounded, but they cannot, necessarily guarantee that they can •be located in'one hospital, .and it is for this reason the New - Zealanders at Home have started this institution which is assisted by tho New Zealand Government, the Imperial Government, and private contributions. It is readily understood that it is a great boon to the wounded to be associated with their own. comrades.

"At a meeting hold at .Government House, Wellington, on July 29, 1 put all these views before the gentlemen who-1 have said liave been kind- enough to advise me, and I propose with their full concurrence to devote our energies to assisting Lord Plunket and his committee in furthering their aims, as by doing-so I feel'convinced we shall materially assist the comfort of our'sick and wounded.

"We have also agreed, to place all moneys on deposit, making arrangements for withdrawal when necessary, but'at tho same time not to allow tlie balance in tho' bank to. fall below a certain figure so tliat it will bo available for replenishing anything required for. the Malieno. By this arrangement I am convinced that we shall be able to .put tho generous donations of the New Zealand people to their fullest use. Freight Facilities. "In conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity as tho Head of the Order of St. John iii New Zealand, of thanking tho several shipping companies who trade dirpct with rlic United Kingdom from New Zealand for having so generously carried various hospital requirements frea since the commencement of the war. Owing to the fact, however, that we have now a large number of sick and wounded located in Egypt-and the Mediterranean, the P. and 0. and Orient Steamship Companies have been approached, and have also kindly • consented to allocate certain space for the same purpose. In order to allow us to take advantage of this offer, the Union and HuddartParker Steamship Companies 'have kindly agreed' to carry the goods frea to Australia.

"All applications for space should be made direct to the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, Wellington, who will ascertain when and how tho goods can be dispatched. "LIVERPOOL, Governor.

war broke out an organisation was set up in London. Through the generosity of Lord and Lady Islington the committee was offered their house in Chesterfield Gardens, fully equipped for a hospital. Eventually the committee was informed by the Imperial authorities that sufficient hospital accommodation had already been obtained. Attention was therefore devoted to the obtaining of a Convalescent Home, and a special committee was set up to deal with the numerous generous offers which had been received from ladies and gentlemen who had offered their bouses for the purpose. Choice fell eventually upon the offer of Sir Fredirick Cook and Sir George Prognell, who placed at the disposal of tho committed a wing at their club house, the Eavenshourae Club at Lee, Kent. At this club there wore available about 100 bedrooms, fitted with hot and cold water, bathrooms, a large tepid swimming.bath, sitting-rooms, dining-room, smoking-room, billiard-room, library, and gymnasium, whilst in the grounds wero covered tennis courts, a football ground, a miniature rifle range, and so forth. The cost per head to the association per week for hoard and lodging would be 21s.

On May 31 the Defence Minister received a cablegram from the High Commissioner stating that the New . Zealand War Contingent Association had passed a-resolution that an excellent building was available for an auxiliary hospital for-'at least 100 men, and that tho estimated cost and equipment for carrying on for one year was £12,000. The Home Government ■ agreed •to contribute equivalent to £6000, and the New Zealand Association £3000, if tho Government. of New Zealand would subscribe the remaining £3000. Tlio War Office highly .recommended an auxiliary hospital instead of the Convalescent Home.

On June 2 the Defence Minister, cablet! Home a reply that New Zealand would contribute the £3000, and he also added that, as the association had abandoned the Convalescent- Home, he assumed that ample provision had .been made for convalescent New Zealanders.

The hospital is at Mount Felix, Wal-ton-ou-Thames, about seventeen miles from London. It overlooks the river, and. is enclosed in beautifully-laid-out grounds ofabout twenty acres. It is on two floors, and contains thirty large and lofty rooms. A concert hall is also available. The ground floor accommodates forty-five beds, and the upper floor about the same number. There is an operating theatre and a sterilising T'oom, and X-ray department, etc. Al) other necessary requirements are provided. Dr. Bernard Myers, brother of Mr. A. Myers, M.P., is the honorary medical officer in charge. Serious cases are not sent to the hosnital.