THE HOSPITAL SHIP.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 216, 29 May 1915, Page 3

THE HOSPITAL SHIP.

WHAT IS REQUIRED. At tli e suggestion of His Excellency the Governor is published herunder a detailed and explanatory list of whal is required for the equipment of the New Zealand Hospital Ship. It is as fellows: 1600 pairs white blankets (size for single beds, thick). 1200 feather pillows to fit pillowslips of size given below. 2400 sheets (2 yards by 3 yards) 2400 pillow slips (21 inches by 32 inches). 1200 white Marcella quilts. 1000 bath towels. 2800 face and band towels 1200 pairs pyjamas. 1200. nightingales. 1200 bed jackets. 800 nightshirts. '" • '•; 2000 day shirts (flannel) 2000 undervests (not thick). . 2000 bed s.ocks. n 800 felt slippers. 1600 pairs day socks (knitted). 2000 face wash cloths. 5000 handkerchiefs (large). 1000 flannel drawers (not too thick). 1000 flannel dressing gowns. 1000 flannel waistcoats (without sleeves). 500 hair combs. 30 gross of various buttons. 750 reels of cotton thread (black). 750 reels of 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 (201 b equals 30 pieces). 50 sets of shoe brushes (patterns 15 to 17, various assorted) 1200 deck chairs. 1000 cushions. 1000 rugs. 1000 mufflers (12yd by Ift.) 1000 balaclavas. . An unlimited number of bandages of calico, gauze, crepe velp'eau, crepe. fardar, flannel, many tailed. 2 additional motor launches are also required. Dimensions: Up to 16 h.p., 28 feet length, 7 feet 6 inches or 9 feet beam. DISPOSAL OF THE GOODS. (1) The above is tie final list of requisites for the complete equipment of the Hospital Ship. (2) His Excellency is prepared to receive communications from the four centres of the Order of St. John, viz., Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and from the Mayors of those four cities, who, it is understood, have in certain cases been asked to act for outlying districts. Wiere this, however, is not practicable, Flis Excellency would like all such communications to pass through local Mayors, but he hopes, owing to the great amount of work which will fell upon fliim prior to. the dispatch of the ship, •that associations will band themselves together in order that matters may be thus-e^pediied.^." Thefs e :arrahgemehts

cations 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 iri paragraph two. In the case of Wellington, other arrangements will be made. The advice should state clearly tho number of articles, from where sent, and when dispatched.

(4) The Governor would be glad to receive any contributions of the above articles as soon as possible, and not later than Thursday, June 10, in order to allow time for any further articles, if needed, to be purchased. (5) 'lt is understood that the school children are anxious to contribute something towards the equipment and it has been suggested that they might undertake t,he 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 wil amount to approximately £25,000, exclusive of th e articles mentioned above. Should there be any surplus available after the complete equipment it will be utilised for the benefit of 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 in-' struments, drugs, etc., will be found out of the money contributions, as it is absolutely essential that the medica officer in charge of the ship should personally supervise and select these stores. The Pharmacy Board has most generously offered to furnish the drugs and requirements of the dispensary* and th e 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, after mature consideration that such a scheme would really be most difficult to arrange, and it is therefore hoped that the ship will be equipped as a national gift.

(0) It has been suggested to me that saznples of the above articles should be sent, but after consultation with the authorities, it "would appear that this would be unnecessary, as th e above descriptions will furnish all the necessary information. (10) As there are many places where there is do branch of the Bank of New Zealand, the postal authorities have undertaken to arrange for the free transmission of all money contributions to the Hospitar Ship Fund. contributions, therefore, may be lodged at.any post office throughout thp Dominion, in addition to the two other' channels mentioned in my appeal on May 10, vi?„ try branch of the Bank of Now Zealand., or M-? J. IlisI.cp, Undersecretary, Dtscrtooat of Internal Affeirs, Wellington,

(II). The Goyor:::nsut is prcvidvn?' 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.