MAKING OUR WOUNDED FIT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2695, 15 February 1916, Page 9

MAKING OUR WOUNDED FIT

N.Z. CONVALESCENT HOME IN EGYPT. In restoring wounded New Zealanders to fitness for duty, much valuable work is being done in a quiet way by the Aotca Convalescent Home, at Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. This comfortable rest-house is really an adjunct to the ]3aso. Hospital thore, and is under tlio absolute control of the New Zealand military authorities. The movement for "its establishment originated with some ladies in and around Wanganui. These received the enthusiastic support of a number of ladies and gentlemen in the Wairarapa, and then tho patriotic bodies in Wanganui, ilastertou, and I'almerston North lent financial aid. Generous support also camo from other sources, notably the Wellington Meat Export Co., Ltd., which donated £400, and friends ,in and around' Feiidiug, who subscribed £200. The New Zealand Government, baring been approached for assistance, placed at the disposal of the promoters ii very fine building at Heljopolis, capable of accommodating about 100 soldiers and the necessary staff. They also agreed to provide food and medicines. All equipment, such as beds, bedding, and furnishings, and everything in the nature of comforts, however, had to bo supplied by the promoters from the funds at their command. Tho general upkeep of the home is, of course, a charge which they must continue to bear. The problem of paying the staff was solved by the staff itself, cvory mem; her of which is a volunteer, and works without remuneration. The matron is Miss M. A. Early. Tho two Sister? are Misses A. Booth (Carterton) and N. L. Hughes (Paliiatua), while the nurses are Misses Eliza and Mina Macdonakl (Mangaina.hu), Misses Ruth Cameron and Mvsie M'Donnell (Wanganui), and Miss Lena M'Laren (Masterton). The Aotea Convalescent, Home is not intended for the badly-injured men, who in ali probability .will havo to be seut back to the Dominion, hut for those who .are making a good recovery, Mid will soon be fit for the firing-line. The patients are drawn from tho adjacent hospital, thus making room for more serious cases.

AA r bon a man enters the Aotea Home lie finds himself in pleasant, restful | surroundings—in a real New Zealand home, with New Zealand things, and, above all, with New Zealand people. He is provided with plenty of appetising und wholesome food, and everything is done to promote that cheerfulness which, as an old writer says, is "the, principal ingredient in the composition of health." So invigorating is this little New Zealand oasis that two or three weeks of its good-fellowship and "mothering" are usually sufficient to put a man in splendid trim, and send him back with fresh zeal to liis place in the ranks. Tile work of the Aotea Home is therefore unique, and is one that well) deserves every encouragement' and support.-

It is satisfactory to kao\« that in New Zealand the interests of the home are being looked after by an executive of which such well-known'business men as Messrs. Hope Gibbons, "Wanganui; Hugh Morrison and Albert Mac Donald, Masterton; J. A. Nash, Mayor of Palmerston North; AY. G. Foster, "Wellington Meat Export Co., Lt<l.; and James Macintosh, of AA 7 . and G. Turnbull and Co., Ltd., AYellington, the last-named being the honorary treasurer and secretary.