SICK AND WOUNDED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3245, 29 March 1943, Page 3

SICK AND WOUNDED

ST. JOHN AND BED CROSS CHRISTMAS JOY ARRANGED The latest report from the Commissioner of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society covers the month of December, 1942. Major Tweedy and his regular group of voluntary helpers were especially active in the Christmas season. Many interesting diversions made those who are unfortunately, bedridden, happy, and congratulations show how much their efforts were appreciated.

Hospital visiting was carried out ni the usual manner, and, with a proper roster of Joint Council visiting representatives now complete, it is pos sible- to visit regularly all New Zealanders in every hospital, irrespective of where they are. The final arrangements cover the following locations (which arc additional to the Cairo

district): Alexandria, three visitors to two hospitals; Jaffa, Haifa, Nazareth, Sidon and Jerusalem, one visitor each. Each hospital receives at • least one visit each week. The Personal Touch

For the information of those next-of-kin who have relatives in any of the above-mentioned hospitals, it is desired to state that all New Zealand patients are now in personal touch with the Joint Council representatives, and consequently the position as regards the personal touch may now be taken as extremely satisfactory. Visiting Convalescents Amongst the other activities of the Commissioner were visiting hospital ships, a,nd leaving the usual Joint Council gifts, arranging for cars to enable convalescents to enjoy motor trips to various places of interest, and placing flowers on the graves of deceased soldiers, as requested by the next-of-kin in New Zealand. Altogether, the mileage by the Commissioner and his voluntary helpers for the period under review was in excess of 7700 miles. All those who have relatives in any hospital in the Middle East will be gratified to know that all that is possible is being done to see that the “touch of home” is carried so frequently to their sick or wounded.