ABOARD THE MAHENO.
TREATMENT OF PASSENGER ' ~ ••■•••- ~ KURSES. With reference to the complaints of passenger nurses as to how they fared "board the hospital ship Mahono.'Colonel W. E. Collins has sent the following communication to the Minister for Defence:— "I was very much surprised to read in the New Zealand Times on January 14th of alleged complaints made bv the passenger nurses on the Maheno "during her 'first voyage to the Mediterranean. It is quite true we could not Supply them with cabins, nor did we carry stewardesses on board, but everything was done to make them as comfortable as possible. They were given their choice of light, airy wards, and orderlies were provided from tho personnel to attend to their needs. Many of them were sick at first, but those who were not were quite willing to attend to their sick comrades, and orderlies were provided ta wait upon them in the saloon at table.
"It has been said that they were compelled to go to the galley for their own food. That- statement as incorrect, and the probability is that not one of them knows where the galley on the Maheno is situated. They possibly refer to the serving pantry in the corner of the saloon, where siu waiters were provided for serving purposes. If nurses were in a hurry to obtain a second helping they roso from Uie table, walked about five yards, and received from the pantryman what they desired. My quartermaster invariably attended the passenger nurses' mess, and never heard any complaints from them. At the end of the voyage they appeared to be sorry to leave the ship, and when it became necessary, to select from their number sisters to remain on board there was no difficulty in getting them. ''ln regard to deck accommodation, the passenger nurses were given the use of all tho.deck space, with the exception of a small portion near the orderly office, and aft as far as the No. 4 hold on the starboard side.
■ Filially, it might be pointed out that the passenger nurses were on active service and receiving pay as such. (Signed) W. E. COLLIXS, CoV*
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Taranaki Daily News, 25 January 1916, Page 5
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359ABOARD THE MAHENO. Taranaki Daily News, 25 January 1916, Page 5
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