THE HOSPITAL SHIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1404, 29 May 1915, Page 4

THE HOSPITAL SHIP.

STATEMENT BY LORD LIVERPOOL. The following list of articles required for the Hospital Ship, and their disposal has been forwarded to us by His Excellency the Governor, with a request for publication ; 1200 feather pillow's to fit pillow slips o£ size given below. 1600 pairs while blankets (size for single beds, thick). 2400 sheets (2 yards by 3 yards.) 2400 pillowslips (2iin. by 32in.) 1400 white Marcella quilts. 1000 bath towels. 2800 face and hand towels. 1200 pairs pyjamas. 1200 nightingales. 1200 bed jackets. 800 nightshirts. 2000 day shirts (flannel). 2000 undervests (not thick). 2000 bed socks. Soo felt slippers. 1600 pairs dry socks (knitted). 2000 face wash cloths. 5000 handkerchiefs (large), xOOO flannel drawers (uot too thick). 1000 flannel dressing gowns. 1000 flannel waistcoats (without sleeves). 30 gross various buttons. 500 hair combs. 750 reels cotton thread (black). 750 reels cotton thread (white). 100 packets of needles (various). 250 pieces of tape (black). 250 pieces of tape (white). 1000 canvas shoes (ordinary men’s sizes). 200 pounds worsted (various), in %!lb packets (2olb equals 30 pieces). 50 sets shoe brushes (patterns 15 to 17 various assorted). 1200 deck chairs. 1000 cushions. 1000 rugs. 1000 mufflers (i-£yd. by ift.) 1000 balaclavas. An unlimited number of bandages of calico, gauze, crepe velpeau, crepe lardar, flannel, many tailed. 2 addiliodal motor launches are also required. Dimensions : Up to 16 h.p., 2Slt length, 7ft. 6in. or git. beam. Disposal or- thk Goods, (1) The above is the final list of requirements for the complete equipment of the Hospital Ship. His Excellency is prepared to receive communications from the four centres of the Order of St. John, via., Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, and from the Mayors of these four centres, who, it is understood, have in certain cases been asked to act for outlying districts. Where this, however, is not practicable, His Excellency would like all such communications to pass through local Mayors, but he hopes, owing to the great amount ot work which will fall upon him prior to the dispatch of the ship, that associations will band themselves together in order that matters may be thus expedited. These arrangements apply only to gifts in kind. Communications should be addressed to His Excellency the Governor, Government House, Wellington, and marked “Hospital Ship.” (3) All cases of goods, with a list of the contents in the top of each, should be addressed to the Governor at Government House, Wellington, but His Excellency should be advised prior to their dispatch through the channels mentioned in paragraph two. In the case oi Wellington, other arrangements will be made. The advice should stale clearly the number ot article, from where sent, and when dispatched.

(4) The Governor would be glad to receive any conti ibutions of the above articles, as soon as possible, and not later than Thursday, June 10th, in order to allow time tor any further articles, if needed, to be purchased. (5) It is understood that the school children are anxious to contribute something towards the equipment, and it has been suggested that they might undertake the provision of the handkerchiefs and bandages. Cost of Equipment About ,£25,000. (6) It is impossible to give an absolutely accurate estimate of the cost of the equipment, but as far as it can be ascertained at the present moment, the sum required will amount to approximately ,£25,000, exclusive of the articles mentioned above. Should there be any surplus available after the complete equipment, it will be utilised for the benefit ot New Zealand sick and wounded wherever required. (7) It will be noticed that the public have been asked to contribute goods in kind which are most readily available. The provision of surgical Instruments, drugs, etc., vvill be found out of the money contributions, as it is absolutely essential that the medical officer in charge of the ship should personally supervise and select these stores. The PharmacyBoard has most generously offered to furnish the drugs and requirements of tbe dispensary, and the Hon. Dr Collins is personally communicating with them on the subject. (8) While fully recognising the generosity of certain districts in their desire to provide and maintain beds or cots, and have them named after them, it has been found, alter mature consideration, that such a scheme would really be most difficult to arrange, and jt is therefore hoped that the ship vvill be equipped as a national gift. (9) It'has been suggested to me that samples of the above articles should be sent, but after consulta tiou with the authorities, it would appear that this would be unnecessary, as the above descriptions will furnish all the necessary information. (10) As there are many places where there is no branch of the Bank of New Zealand, the postal authorities have undertaken to arrange for tbe free transmission of all money contributions to the Hospital Ship Fund. These contributions, therefore, may be lodged at any post office throughout the Dominion, in addition to tbe two other channels mentioned in my appeal on May 19th, viz., any branch of tbe Bank of New Zealand, or Mr J. Hislop, Undersecretary, Department of Internal Affiirs, Wellington. (11) Tbe Government is providing for the hire of and all costs of fitting up and maintaining the Hospital Ship in every respect, including wards, bedsteads, operating rooms, laundries, bakeries, wash-houses, etc.