YEAR OF HARD WORK

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 194, 15 May 1944, Page 6

YEAR OF HARD WORK

Women’s Red Cross Transport Service Occasionally a member of the Red Cross Women’s Transport Service is seen in Wellington in. the smart, practical uniform with its scarlet touch in the symbol of the Red Cross, but the everincreasing and valuable amount of work done by this branch of the Red Cross is often hardly realized by the general public. The fourth annual report of the service, signed by the commandant, Mrs. V. Hole, illustrates its activities. The Women’s Transport 'Service of the Wellington Red Cross sub-centre now has a membership of 118. which includes 14 members in the Eastbourne unit, 15 members in the Hutt unit, and eight members now being trained in the various activities, and a noticeable feature of the year’s work is the heavy increase in the call for cars, covering a much wider type of duty. The service is, as is all Red Cross work, entirely voluntary, and cars are either the property of or the charge of their drivers, who are personally responsible for upkeep and servicing. During the past year, apart from the transport calls made on their time, members have undertaken regular mechanical refresher courses, and in first aid 21 members. have gained their medallion, so maintaining a high standard of efficiency. Members haVe been called on to evacuate the sick and wounded from 22 ships arriving within the last 12 months.

Apart from such duties, endless short notice' calls have been answered, and regular work includes the transport of injured men to hospital for treatment, and many enjoyable and varied weekly outings have been arranged for the patients in the general hospital and the Red Cross Hospital. The work is in the hands of Mrs. Petry, transport officer, assisted by Miss Evans, deputy transport officer. The need for further help in this branch of the work is becoming essential. Altogether during the 12 months ending March 31, 1944, 1790 patients from the Mowai Home and the hospital have been entertained and helped toward recovery in this way. Entertainments and drives for American sick and wounded were part of the work of the Women’s Transport Service. The Day’s Bay Services Club has been assisted at weekends by the Eastbourne Women’s Transport Service, and Hutt members also assist and supply all food for the Hutt Services Club when called for weekend duty. During the year members -were on duty for the American Red Cross prior to its termination in Wellington. Transportation of food and clothing to a Polish refugee ship during the year was carried out. Keyi interest has been taken in competing for the Dunn Silver Cup, which, being won for the third time, now remains the property of the Red Cross Transport -Service.

Financially, the service is on an excellent foundation. Receipts for the year were £439/11/- and expenditure amounted to £265/9/9. leaving a credit balance of £174/1/3. , x , , * Appreciative thanks were extended to the following for help in many ways: Dr. Eunice McLean. Dr. Lynch, Dr. Mercer, Health Department, Institute of Automotive Engineers (mechanical instrucMessrs. C. Levin, Collett, Strong, Gentry, Hood arid Menzies, managers of picture theatres, traffic department, S/Sgt. Meldrum, and many others. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: President, Mr. E. A. Batt, reelected ; hon. secretary. Miss V. N. Reid, re-elected; hon. treasurer, Miss E. Bilton, re-elected; committee, Mrs. M. Duncan (Hutt). Miss M. Nicol (Eastbourne), Mrs. M. Henley, Misses Major, Cooper and Biss.