RED CROSS SOCIETY.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 36, 19 November 1920, Page 11

RED CROSS SOCIETY.

The fifth annual report of the Southland Red Cross Society states : — - The Comnrittee has much pleasure in submittmg the annual statement of accounts for the year ended September 30, 1920. Since, the closirig of the Convalascent Home, the work of the executive has been confined to the distribution of garments to soldiers in hospital and other soldiers who were in need. As the number of convalescents in the Home gradually decreased during the year, and the Defenee Department having notified the Comnrittee that they proposed to rernove several of the inmates two gen.eral meetings of the Society were held, oue on Mav 22 and one on .July 30. As a r'esult of very full discussion, it was finally decided that the Home should be closed, but the control retained until November, when it was to be handed over to the War Funds Assoeiation. As an outconre of the. last meeting, the Committee was authorised to. consider the cases of a number of men who were discharged from the Forces, but who were not in a fit state to work, and who were receiving medical treatment. It was suggested that as the War Funds Association was fully in touch with all cases of returned soldiers who might need assistance, the Committee should work in coujunction with the Association, and a number of pien are now receiving assistance which is proving of great benefit to thern. There seerns every possibility of numbers of men breaking down and requiring 'rest and treatment, and in no way can the funds held by the Society be put to better use. Arrangements were made with the Secretary of the War Funds Association to take charge'of a certa-in quantity of garments and material to be distributed to soldiers and soldiers' widows in need. There still remains a quantity of made-up garments and material in the hands of the oCrnmit. tee, and this method of distributi.ng these will continue. The funds are : Balance on hand in cash, ( i-d394 16s lld ; accrned interest, £197 18s lld; due by Defenee Department, £47 14s; value of furniture (eay) £150; value of materials on hand (say) £500; total, £9290 9s lOd. The Comnrittee wishes to record appreciation of the splendid work carried on by Matron Looney, Major

Crawford, the Y.A.D.'s, and all others who gav,o their time and service on behalf of the soldiers in the Home.