VOLUNTEER SISTERHOOD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 11, 16 December 1915, Page 2

VOLUNTEER SISTERHOOD.

Voluminous correspondence has been sent to "The Stratford Evening Post" in reference to the Volunteer Sisterhood. The letters and circulars explain and give considerable information on the subject. Much divergence of opinions on the value of the Sisterhood prevails, and the information imparted in tb& correspondence may be of interest. The' correspondence is the outcome of the action of members of the Scottish Society in their desire to send a sister to the front to act as a nurse's orderly. The following circular gives a concise summary of the proposal: — "Stratford Scottish Society.-—At a General Meeting of the Society held on December 3rd, it was decided to assist m. raising the necessary funds to send Mrs Hogg to the battle front as a Nurse's Orderly. Such officers are urgently needed to assist the hardworked nurses, and no doubt the Society will be able to raise a fair portion of the necessary £l5O required. Any assistance or donations that the members can give will be gladly accepted at as early a date as possible. (Signed) J. Petrie, Hon Sec." Taking the other correspondence in order a letter from Miss E. A. Bout, honorary secretary to the Sisterhood to Mr John Petrie, Secretary of the Scottish Society, conveys thanks for the offer of help in sending Mrs Hogg, of Midhirst, as an orderly with the Sisters' who are to leave at the end of December. Dr. Guthrie (says Miss Rout) agreed to accept Mrs Hogg, provided she produces a satisfactory medical certificate. As Secretary, Miss Rout was- also prepared to accept Mrs Hogg. No arrangements are made before-hand as to which hospital the volunteers are to go. Such decision would be left to the discretion of the Matron of the contingent. The Minister for Defence has undertaken to remit moneys to th e Officer Commanding the New Zealand Base in Egypt (Colonel Charters), to whom the Sister's would be introduced by lettor, from the Minister. From th e Base, Colonel Charters would draft the women as required. Miss Rout draws attention to the fact that though there is a. certain element of "adventure" and "daring," fine strong women had always been picked, forming the forerunners of a scheme which must de* velop. In a second letter, dated December 2, 1915, Miss Rout states that she understood that funds wer e being collected to send a member of the district abroad as a member of the Volunteer Sisterhood. The writer then explains that the chosen one should be a strong, self-reliant, sensible woman of mature age, who would be known as the nurse representing the district. Communication could be kept up with the sister through the Y.M.C.A., who would forward correspondence and packages to the sister wherever she may be. Miss Rout gives several in'stances of how comforts cajo reach the jsoldiiprs through the sisters. , Mrs # Enudsbn was sent from Midhirst formerly, and the ladies of that town continually send her parcels of cigarettes, soap, chocolate, books, and other hospital comforts. In this way, each district has a direct personal and permanent interest in the work of their own particular envoy. The only money taken from the, subscriptions personally by the nurse is 10s a week, personal allowance, but £SO is remitted for each nurse, to provide for contingencies. Miss Rout forwards also a copy of a letter published in the Christchurch "Evening News," from Nurse Emma Harris, of the Australian and New Zfaland Contingent of nurses now on active service in Egypt. Nurse Harris states that about 150 girl s of the Voluntary Aid Detachment arrived at Alexandria, and forty of them were drafted to the hospital where she was on duty. The girls had received six months'j training in England, all expenses be- j ing paid for them besides a grant of I personal allowance. They are very j useful making beds, washing patients, and giving drinks to the sick. Ten | of the V.A.D. are on duty at night to . assist the seventeen Nursing Sisters.