HOSPITAL SHIP FUND

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 August 1915, Page 3

HOSPITAL SHIP FUND

Government House, Wellington, July 31, 1915

To the People of New Zealand :

The actual amount subs-ribed to the Hospital Ship Fund amounted to £47,548 17s, which I desire to say far exceeded my expectations.

T^he actual money expended cm equipment will be approximately £16,000. Now, in many instances, articles which it was never thought likely would be forwarded (as they were not specified in the list of suggested goods') were donatod, and further, the donors forwai'ded sums of money as well, with the result that the equipment was carried oat at a considerably less cost than could possibly have been anticipated. I despatchfid in the Maheno 32 cases for use in thn base hospitals in Egypt, and after communication with the Governor and Cominander-in-Chief in Malta (Field Marshal Lurd Methuen) money and newspapers were despatched for the sick and wounded in that Island. I think, thaiefore, we can consider that the wants of our men axe -very well attended to both in Egypt and Malta. At the same tiire if gifts are despatched to either of these two bases, the articles enumerated in my letter to the newspapers on July 6th, namely : — Medium weight shirts (woollen material), vests, drawers, socks, pyjamas, cholera belts, bandages—would always he acceptable, and the Secretary for Internal Affairs would always be prepared to arrange for their despatch.

Where, however, I propose to devote ivy chief attention at the present time is to those sick and wounded at present in England. Lord Plunket, who is Chairman oft ihe New Zealand Committee in Grea Britaia for assisting our sick and wounded, has acquired an auxiliary hospital at Walton on Thames called " Mount Felix," which will hccoihmodate some 110 beds, but which he assures me can be extended to carry 300 or 400 bods, and which nee.is considerable support. He further adds that this scheme has the full concurrence of the Army Conncil.

Let it be distinctly borne in. mind that the Imperial Government has made adequate arrangements for the care of New Zealand sick and wounded, but they cannot necessarily guarantee that they can be located in one hospital, and it is for this reason that the New Zealanders at Home have started this institution, which is assisted by the N.Z. Government, the Imperial Government, and private contributions. It is readily understood that it is a great boon to the wounded to be associated with their own comrades.

At a meeting held at Government House, Wellington, on July 29th, I put all these views before the gentlemen, and I propose with their full concurrence to devote our energies to assisting Lord Plunket and his committee in furthering their aims, as by doing so I feel convinced we shall materially assist the comfort of our sick and woimded.

We have also agreed to place all moneys on deposit, making arrangements for withdrawal when necessary, but at the same time not to allow tho balance in the Bank to fall below a certain figure, so that it will he available for replenishing anything required for tht> Maheno. lij this arrangement I am convinced that we shall be able to put the generous donations of the -New Zealand people to their fullest uso.

In conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity as the Head of the Order of St. John in New Zealand, of thanking the several Shipping Companies who trade direct "with the United Kingdom from New Zealand for having so generously carried various hospital requirements free since the commencement of the war. Owing to the fact, however, that we have now a large number of sick and wounded located in Egypt and the Mediterranean, the P. & O. aud Orient Steamship Companies have been approached, and have also kindly consented to allocate certain space for the same purpose. Iv order to allow us to take advantage of this offer, the Union and Huddart Parker Steamship Companies have kindly agreed to carry the goods free to Australia.

All applications for space should be made direct to the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, Wellington, who will ascertain when and how the goods oan be despatched.

LIVERPOOL, Governor,