OUR CHEERFUL WOODED.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 13 September 1917, Page 3

OUR CHEERFUL WOODED.

SCENES IN ENGLISH HOSPITALS.

WHEN the snow fell thick upon Salisbury Plain and the mud churned up in the New Zealand training camps some of our fighting men speculated as to whether the Old Country measured up to the standard. But now that the sunshine of spring has suddenly wreathed the land in smiling pastures, budding trees and delicate blossoms, they agree the " Old Blighty is after all ' some country,' and well worth fighting for." Even the men in hospitals and convalescent camps aie ready to revise the impressions which they naturally formed in the unusually bitter winter. During the past fortnight the writer has visited Brokenhurst, Walton-on-Thames and Hornchurch, names that are now familiar to many relatives and friends in New Zealand. These may be interested to hear of the conditions which are assisting the recovery of the men who have come back on the ebb-tide from France. As a whole their spirit is remarkable. They want to get well in a hurry so that they may again help on with the big game and if possible be in at the finish. Well may New Zealand be proud of her soldier sons. A BUSH-FRINGED HOSPITAL In the quant old village of Brokenhurst there are four hospitals, but by far the largest is that which is reached by either of the serpentine roads which ascend the wooded slopes whereon stands the ancient church. The trees and curves hide the military buildings, which are at the top of the rise. They are known locally as " Tin-town" because of the nature of their construction. Lady Harding had them built as a present for the soldiers of India, but when the latter were withdrawn from France the hospital was handed over to the New Zealanders. In the springtime the surroundings are a fairy land. A few steps and one is in the heart of New Forest, and then one may continue for miles through the most beautiful bushlands of southern England. We walked for miles beneath the shade of the matchless English trees all freshly clad in new-born leaves, and finished up by filling our service caps with some of the primroses and violets that grow wildly and in profusion. A mile or so from the Hospital is the age-worn Boldre Church, surrounded by bush, and this is one of many favourite walks the convalescents may take. Four miles distant is the historic Beauleau Abbey with chappel and cloisters still intact. What more picturesque and historic surroundings could be found for a military hospital? And the fame of Brokenhurst Hospital is in keeping as a place where patients receive the most skilful attention. The same may be said of Walton-on-Thames and also of Hornchurch. V.M.C.A. TO THE FORE A most interesting feature is the provision which the V.M.C.A has made for the men in a variety of directions. In Brokenhurst a modernly-equipped institute has been established in the Hospital grounds; the same applies to Hornchurch, and at Walton-on-Thames a V.M.C.A. Club exists in a large suburban residence half way between the Oatlands and Mt. Felix Hospitals. The Hornqhurch outfit not only has all the conveniences of the principal London Huts, but it contains a large workshop known as the hobbies department. Here are to be seen dozens of blue coats busily plying tools, glad of some light and useful occupation with which to fill the time that otherwise must hang heavily in a convalescent camp. Under the guidance of an instructor some were engaged in cabinet-making, others (principally Maoris) were carving walking-sticks, some were making picture-frames, bread-boards, coal-scuttles, etc., while the remainder carried on a diversity of operations from basket-making to pen-painting. This new phase of V.M.C.A work has the warm approval of the military authorities, and it is being extensively developed in other directions. No better way can be found of providing the wounded with light occupations against the time when they return to civilian life. It touches the problem of the future. j

A department which the men highly appreciate is the canteen and refreshment room which is conducted in a splendid manner by a body of honorary women workers. Everything is cooked on the premises, and the boys say that it is the next best thing to home. . A full round of entertainments is also provided by front-rank artists from London, also by lecturers ai}d cinema putfit.