HOSPITAL SHIP FUND.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 263, 2 August 1915, Page 4

HOSPITAL SHIP FUND.

!LETTER FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR. To the People of New Zealand, 1 - The actual amount subscribed to the Hospital .Ship Fund amounted to £17.54S 17/-. which I desire to say far exceeded my expectations. In my letter to the public press on ; May 2Gth, I enumerated some of the I articles which weald be required for j the equipment of the ship; and as far as I could, I estimated the approximate ' cost of such equipment. ,This, of course, included many items not specified by mo, and which I believed could only be acquired by being purchased. The, actual money expended on equipment will be approximately £16,000. Now, in many instances, articles which it was never tolnurht likely would be forwarded (as they were not specified in the list of specified goods) were donated, and further, the donors forwarded sums of money as well, with the result that the equipment was carried out I at a considerably less cost than could possibly have been anicipated.

Bo many donors in writing to me said that they were in entire accord that we should utilise money for the use of the sick and wounded wherever it was required, and therefore made further contributions with the desire that the surplus should be as largo as possible, while at the same time intimating that the upkeep of the equipment of Hospital Ship should be our first care. I quite concur, myself, with these, views, and I have thought it desirable to ask certain gentlemen to assist me with their advice as to the administration of the surplus. They are: The Hon. Colonel J. Alle-n. M.P.: A. Myers, M.P.; Brigadier . General A. Robin, C. 8., C.M.G.; and Their Worships the Mayors of Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. These gen tinmen have most kindly agreed to assist me in every way possible. I have, during the last few weeks been in close communication with all the centres abroad where our worm

are located, and have got definite information that they are receiving every possible attention. This has been confirmed by personal letter from the men to myself, and where men have been scattered, arrangements nave been made; to keep in close touch with them.

I despatched in the Mahcno "2 eases for use in the base hospitals, and after communication with the Governor and Comma nder-in-Chief in Malta (Tield-Mavshfll Lcrd Methuen’), money °nd newspapers were despatched for the sick and wounded in that Island. I think, therefore, we can consider that the wants of our men are very well attended to both in Egypt and Malta. At the same time, if gifs are despatched to either of those two bases, the articles enumerated in my letter to the newspapers cn July Gth, namely: Medium weight shirts (woollen material Vests Drawers Bocks Pyjamas Hiolera Belts Bandages would always be acceptable, and the Secretary for Internal Affairs would always bo prepared to arrange for their despatch. Where, however, I propose to devote my chief attention at the present time is to sick and wounded 'at present in England. Lord Plunket, who is chairman of the "Hew Zealand Committee in Great Britain in assisting our sick and wounded, has acquired an auxiliary hospital at Walton on Thames called “Mount Felix, 7 ’ which will accommodate some 110 beds, but which he assures me can be extended to carry 300 or -±OO beds, and which needs considerable support. He further adds that this scheme has the full concurrence of the Army Council'.

Let it be distinctly borne in mind that the Imperial Government has made adequate arrangements for the care of New Zealand sick and wounded but they cannot necessarily guarantee that they can be located in one hospital and it is for this reason the New Zealanders at Home have started this institution which is assisted by the New Zealand Government, the Imperial Government and private contributions. It is readily understood that it is a great boon to the wounded to be associated with their own comrades. At a meeting held at Government House, Wellington, on July 29th, I put all these views before the gentlemen, who I have said have been kind enough to advise me, and I propose with their full concurrence to devote our energies to assisting Lc'"d Plunket and his committee- in furthering their rims, as by doing so I feel convinced we shall materially assist the comfort of our sick and wounded.

We have also agreed to place all moneys on deposit, making arrange- 1 ments for withdrawals when necessary, but. at the same time- not to allow the balance in the Bank to fall below., a certain figure so' that it will be available for replenishing anything: .required fop the “Maheno. ” By this arrangement I am convinced that we shall be able to put the generous donations of the New Zealand people to their fullest use.

I In conclusion, I should like to taae this opportunity as the Head of the Order of St. John in New Zealand, of thanking the several Shipping Companies who trade direct wihi the United Kingdom from New /.caland loi having so generously carried various hospital requirements free since the commencement of the war. Owing to the fact, however, that we have new a large number of sick and wounded located in Egypt and the Mcditcrarnoan, the P. ami 0. and Orient Steamship Companies have been approached, and have also kindly consented to allocate certain space for the same pm pose. j n order to allow us to take advantage of this offer, the U nion and ITnddart Parker Companies have kindly agreed to carry the goods free to Australia. All applications for space should be made to the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, Wellington, who will ascertain when and how the goods can be despatched. LIVERPOOL, ■ Governor.