N.Z. VOLUNTEER NURSING SISTERHOOD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3024, 10 March 1917, Page 5

N.Z. VOLUNTEER NURSING SISTERHOOD

: LETTER FROM MISS ROGERS. By the mail this weeK the secretary of tho Codford Convalescent Camp I Fund received tho following letter from Miss Rogers, one of the Volunteor Nursing Sisters, written from AVal-ton-on-Tliames, Y.M.C.A. Soldiers' Club (N.Z.). The cablegram dispatching £130 was forwarded on December 18_ last, and it was the intention that this should reach Miss Rogers before Christmas. Evidently the further cable of £100 at the timo of writing had not boon received. The writer says:—"By this timo you have, received my cablegram thinking you for your most liberal and quick response to my appeal for Christmas gifts for the. boys at Codford. I was astounded when I opened the note from the bank informing mo of the draft, for it passed my comprehension that I should ever get such a donation. It arrived on January 3. Please convey my personal thanks to all performers' and helpers whoso combined efforts evidently made tho concert suoh a success. Although tho money did not arrive for Christmas or New Year it makes no difference, for in pur position in tho Y.M.C.A. Hut at Codford, and now in our now abode at Walton there is ■ always amplo opportunity for distributing bits of cheer and comfort to sick or lonely boys. I intend to givo you an account of the way I spend' tho money. I divided it in half, giving Miss Murch (one of our Volunteer Sisters), whom wo left m charge at Codford ,-£75, to spend on comforts for tho incoming troops and those already in tho camp. To the latter your money will provide many a happy day. Well, I supposo you aro wondering what kind of a Christmas wo did have, as nono of the gifts came to hand, so I will just tell you all about it.

Previous to Christmas, tho New Zealand Y.M.C.A. gave us three Volunteer Sisters at Codford goods for gifts to troops in Franco and Egypt, as the New Zealand boxes, etc., would not arrive in time we knew. Well, wo packed and posted between fifty and sixty to boys we knew, and could get into direct communication with. Each parcel comprised one pair socks, gloves, a Balaclava, tooth-brush, bottle of quinine tablets and tubes, and a handkerchief. Then for the convalescents in No. 11 Camp wo provided a high tea on Christmas Day. We knew they were getting a good dinner in the camp, so we arranged to have the tea and entertainment after. Wo asked for twenty volunteers from the camp, and with us they worked all day (with their spell .for dinner) making sandwiches, fruit salad, jellies, and 1 cutting cake. Wβ laid the tables right down the hut in good old teameeting style,' , decorating them with red paper and lovely red hawthorn berries and beautiful autumn leave 3. Then we piled the food on, finishing with lollies, oranges, nuts, dates, and bonbons for all. The men wore the funny caps, etc., out of the latter, and so made a very . gay appearance. Tea finished, they still sat at the tables, while cigarettes were handed round, and the evening revolved itself into an informal kind of concert, Captain Burridge presiding. As it was our last night, the opportunity was taken to say good-bye to Miss Ballantyne and I, who were leaving the next day for London to open this club at Walton, at Mr. Varney's request. We had a lovely day and night. Everything went joyously, the boys at the finish giving three cheors and singing "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows," etc., and declaring '"'that a Christmas like jihoy had spent was worth coming to tlie war for." After it was over about fifty of them stayed and cleared the hall, wliile another lot volunteered to come down in the morning and wash the dishes.

Tho Y.M.C.A. was good enough to finance the whole business, so you will be glad to know how willingly they fell in with our plan to givo the boys as much of a New Zealand Christmas away from home as it was possible to do. The next day we left for London, as Mr. Varney had come to Codford, and asked two of us if wo thought- wo could possibly divide forces, and go to Walton, as they really could not fiiid anybody else to give the responsibility to, so Miss Murch and her cousin from Manchester, and Mrs. M'Alpino (Mian Rout's sistor) continue down there, and we came on. We arrived at Paddington, and drove to Shakespeare Hut (which, bv the way, is now New Zealand Y.M.C.A. Headquarters). Wo stayed in the city about ten days, and came hero to our new homo last week. Ever since wo havo been making curtains and getting tho house in

order. It is n sixtcen-roomed lioiisc, standing in lovely, grounds, about hallway between our two hospitals, which are about a inilo apart. Tho bouse is built lengthwise, so that all the rooms get tho sun and light, and nearly all tlie windows aro of cathedral glass. After Coill'ord, wftcro wo lived in a leaky, cold hut—well, "comparisons aro odious." Wβ aro having drawingroom, lounge, writing-room, diningroom for tho uJe of the soldiers downstairs, while our bedrooms, sittingroom, and a billiard-room will bo on tho second floor. It is a plastered house with fumed oak panelling, stairease, etc., a perfectly beautiful residence. Tin's, then, is what wo have come into at last, after all our hardships ancHiiscomrbrts. It is a haven of rest and comfort, and now wo will just bo able to care for the wounded boys, and do what we have always, wanted to do, pive tEem an easy chair or lounge, and male them feel they are at homo. As wo progress I shall write you further, givinc an account of tho spending of tlio £75 here, and I will also get Miss Murch to do the same. l?ost assured, our boys in Francs will not be forgotten. If you can give me the proper address of boys at any time I will try and get in touch with them."