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WORK OF EXPENDING AGENTS The following is a brief survey of the work of the various expending agents of the Board : Joint Council of the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society This organization continued its work as expending agent of the Board in the conduct of the four homes —Evelyn Firth, Auckland ; Mowai, Wellington ; Rannerdale, Christchurch ; and Montecillo, Dunedm—the recreation huts at Wellington and Middleraore Hospitals, and the distribution of comforts to the discharged service patients in the various hospitals throughout New Zealand. It also operated buses for the purpose of taking patients who are able to travel to picnics and race meetings. Facilities were also provided for such personnel to attend football matches, boxing, wrestling, and other sporting activities. The provision of occupational and diversional therapy is a very important phase of the work of the Joint Council and does much to assist the welfare of the patients. During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1949, the following comforts were distributed by the organization : Cigarettes .. .. .. ..2,019,450 Tobacco (oz.) .. .. .. .. 32,845 Matches (boxes) .. .. .. .. 23,032 Chocolates and sweets (packets) .. .. 90,071 In addition, patients were supplied with fruit and cake, periodicals, clothing, toothpaste, &c. Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Blinded Servicemen's Trust Board In July, 1948, a sum of £25,000 was set aside in the books of the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Board to be administered for the benefit of blinded discharged servicemen. Expenditure from the fund amounting to £9,186 Bs. 4d. has already been made from this amount. The work of the Trust Board has been of great assistance to the blinded discharged servicemen in enabling them to rehabilitate themselves, and the Board desires to pay a tribute to the valuable work that has already been done for these men. Public Service Association The Public Service Association has been appointed an expending agent of the Board in connection with special cases of assistance arising in the Public Service. During the year expenditure through this channel amounted to £lBB 6s. 9d. United Kinodom The Patriotic Fund in the United Kingdom, which was built up during the war years from donations, sale of assets, &c, is administered by the High Commissioner for New Zealand on behalf of the Board. Grants amounting to £836 3s. sd. were made during the twelve months, mainly to assist New Zealanders to meet medical expenses, and in some cases to help in the provision of accommodation. Cairo As the fund provided by the Board in Cairo for the benefit of servicemen in this area no longer exists, the account has now been closed.

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