RED CROSS SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1942, Page 2

RED CROSS SOCIETY

ACTIVITIES OF WAIRARAPA CENTRE. WIDE SPHERE OF WORK. A passage in the annual report of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, relating to the Wairarapa Centre, states; The membership of the centre now stands at 1,623, covering 11 subcentres, the largest of which is Pahiatua with 347 members. Three voluntary aid detachments have been formed, one each at Pahiatua, Eketahuna, and South Wairarapa. There are 78 voluntary aids with three certificates and GO,.hours' hospital training, and 303 voluntary aids with two certificates. These aids are assisting with the staffing of Anzac Military Hospital, and the soldiers’ wards of the Masterton Hospital, and are giving good service. The Red Cross transport services at Masterton, Carterton and Featherston, are kept constantly employed in conveying soldiers from hospital to camp. This duty has added to the keenness of members, thus promoting greater efficiency. With members of the forces returning from overseas, and the establishment of Anzac Military Hospital at Featherston, hospital visitors are kept busy distributing fruit, cigarettes, literature and cakes for convalescents, at Masterton, Greytown and field hospitals of the Sth and 10th Field Ambulances. The following goods have been forwarded to headquarters;—Twenty-three cases containing 5,625 articles of hospital supplies; 21 cases containing 1,811 garments for distressed civilians overseas; and 10 cases containing 488 knitted garments. Throughout the Wairarapa, interest has been taken in assisting the next-of-kin of prisoners of war. Each sub-centre deems it a responsibility to contact and offer advice to all next-of-kin in its area.