WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 248, 14 July 1919, Page 4

WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION

CLOSING DOWN A USEFUL INSTITUTION

'At 11 meeting in London of the New Zealand War Contingent Association on Mav 15 there wero presents-Mr. I. W. Kaymon (in tlie chair), the Countess of Hardwicke, Mrs. ltilcliic, Sir Thomas Mackenzie, Sir Jnmes Mills, Mrs. C. F. Wilson, Mrs. A.- \ r .- M'Donald, Colonel the Hon. K, Heaton Ithodes, and Messrs. It. D. D. M'Lean, James Coates.'ll. 11. Nolan, V. Waldegrave, It. M. Macdonald, G. H. Scholelield, G. J. Wray, C. F. Gee. The chairman reported that the assets and liabilities, to .date disclosed 11 credit balance of .1/1567 ami that there was at least of sum of .£IOOO Available. Since the last meeting the Brockcnhurst accounts had been closed. ITornchurca Club and contents had been auctioned. The building exceeded tho reserve, but fell short of what might havo been expected, considering tho amount of timber and oilier materials in the structure. The contents sold at very high' prices, and was a most satisfactory realisation. Oatlands Club was passed in at X 225, but was ultimately sold for £250.

The total number of members of tho N.Z.B.P. in the United Kingdom and the Continent is 20,000. Ho had arranged with tho O.C. of Transports to report as to the utility of the games, etc., being supplied by the association. Several suggestions wore made, which- would ho acted upon. Deck chairs wero strongly recommended, and also hammocks and low camp stools. As these could bo disposed of on arrival, he recommended that each transport be supplied with, say, one hundred chairs, and in tho case of transports carrying married women, an extra one hundred—these to, be marked for their exclusive use.

The chairman of the Hospitality Committee reported that during tho month of April 8, 6627 men had been entertained in various ways.

■The chairman or the Clubs Committee reported that good work was still being done at Codford, Walton, Oatlands, and Torquay.

It 'was also resolved to increase the '.'rant to O.C.'s of transports for the purchase of fruit.

The Commandant at the New Zealand Convalescent Hospital, Homchurch (Lieu-tenant-Colonel C. 11. Towsley). wrote, thanking flio association for all that they had done for all ranks. "To have had such nn institution amongst us has helped enormously in the proper treatment of convalescents. One of the prime obiects in treating convalescents is to have them surrounded by a cheerful and bright environment with plenty of entertainment o take them out of themselves and make them forget what they have gone through. The work that has been done by the War Contingent Association and its staff here has been of the most inestimablo value in this respect. , I should like also to record on behalf of the stjiff and patients of this convalescent bospitnl how much we have appreciated the activity of tho W.C.A. in arranging theatro parties, excursions, and other entertainment outside the unit.