RED CROSS SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17687, 26 July 1919, Page 6

RED CROSS SOCIETY

A general meeting' of members of tho Rsd Cross Soaicty, .held yesterday in the Now Zealand Express Company's Board*, Room, was very largely attended. The Rev. <V. G. Bv King occupied the chair. Miss I. B. M'Lean (hon. secretary), at tho chairman's request, gave a resume of tho activities of tho society since the beginning of the war. It was founded, she said, by tho St. John Ambulance Asoeiation in October, 1915, and began its career with no members, no branches, and no money. At the dose of the v,\ar the membership -was over 200 belonging to tho Dunedin Centre, and it had 153 brandies. The Ambulance Association as a start had given them £450 to buy material. Tho. menjbers of tlie society had worked, some of them from 7 a.m. till 8 p.m. ,in connection with tho street stalls, and the shop and kitchen in tho Oid Post Office Building. They had also opened in June, 1918, tiio Military Convalescent Home at Monteeillo, whioh provided 25 bods. According to the reports of returned soldiers, that home compared favourably with similar homes in England, and was certainly second tonono'in New Zealand. Tlie Woodsido Facial Hospital had, at the request of the Hospital Board, been taken over by the society, had boon equipped by it, and provided with 25 bods. A cornmitteo of tho society had also assisted in providing for tho vocational training of disabled soldiers. Mies M'Loan gave details of tho amount of goods and contributions dealt with by the society, which showed that 928,768" garments had been distributed, valued"' at £47,92.8 10s. Other contributions brought tho value of the grand total up to £104.818 163 6d. If anyone wanted to know what tho society had done during tho war thoy could point to the homes mentioned and to the fact that comforts a.nd clothing wo-re still being supplied to tho soldier inmates of those institutions, and to the million garments that had been sent overseas. She \v;vs sirr.e that all members would join with her m thanking God that they had been able to do so rq.uch to serve their sick and wounded soldiers. —(Applause.) Miss M'Lcan referred with appreciation to the services of Mesdames Nevill and Fitehetti ami Messrs Bono and Glendining. who declined reelection. and said she was sure the incoming committee would cirry out tho good work of the society until tho soldiers had no further need of tho Rod Cross Society.— (Applause.) Lieutenant Ellen, who is in charge of tho Woodsido Homo, thanked the members of tho society for what they had done. The Woodsido Homo was well equipped and organised, and everything that was ucccssary for the health and comfort of ths soldiers was provided. Sinco coining to Duendin soldiers had been treated with wonderful kindness. He considered that the homo at Monteeillo was tho best in tho world. On behalf of all members of tho N.Z.E.F., ho thanked tho socisty for the kindness extended to them.

Mr A. E. Rosewar (treasurer) explained that, in addition to the expenditure quoted by _ Miss M'Lean (£104,3X8 16s 6dj, the society had also spent an amount, that brought the total up to £150,746. Ho pointed out that the society had undertaken to look after every soldier in tho city until his discharge. There had been a large expenditure on» th© Monteciilo Homo, and the society had large responsibilities, so that tho cash in hand would ncwl replenishing. Ono gentleman, however, who had sewi the percentage of tho cost of administration, had promised to see tho committee through if ne<"e*esc%ry. On tho motion of Mrs MncMe. seconded by Mrs Stakes, a hearty voio of thanks was oooorded to tho retiring executive for services. Tho following- were, elected to ofiVre for tho enrront year:—Executive Commdtteo— M-3.ld3.men Butterworfch. H. I>irido Fe.rcnison, George Roberta, Mleses C. Graham 1 , T. B.' MTvoan, F. Rattray, H. William. l ?, Messrs R. Ormn,.E. A. Rosevea.r, artel C. B. Smithpra=id<mt. Miss T. B. MToan; chairman". Rev. V. G. B. King: treasurers—Miss Williams and Mr A. E. Ro=«rvear. The appointment, of secretary left in tho hands of the ncwly-dcoted cotmnittoo.