OUR WOUNDED IN ENGLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3997, 2 August 1915, Page 6

OUR WOUNDED IN ENGLAND.

EXCELLENT ARRANGEMENTS

MADE'

(Proas AsaooiatioJi Telecraiu WELLINGTON, Aug. 1. The care of the New Zealand woun- J <ledi in England Jims been undertaken in no hapnazard way. Soon after tlio war broke out and it was known that New Zealanders were going to the Front, an organisation was set up in | London to dleal with this matter. ‘The New Zealand Defence Minister (Hon. .Jas. Allen) has' received a full report from the High Commissioner of what dm® ibeen done. It appears that the arrangements are excellent. Through the generosity of Lord and Lady Islington, the Committee was offered their house in Chesterfield Gardens, fully equipped for a hospital. Eventually, the Committee was informed! by the Imperial authorities that sufficient hospital accommodation had already been obtained. Attention was therefore devoted to the obtaining of a convalescent home, and. a special eommitteo was set up to deal with the numerous generous offers which had been received from ladies and gentlemen who had offered their houses for the purpose. Choice fell eventually upon the offer of Sir Frederick Cook and Sir George Prognell, who placed at the disposal of the committee a 1 wing of their club-house at Ravens- j bourne Club at Lee Kent. At this | club there were available about TOO 1 bedrooms fitted with hot and cold water bathrooms, a large tepid swimming hath, sitting rooms, dining rooms, smoking room, billiard room, library, and gymnasium, while in the grounds were covered tennis, courts, a football ground, a miniature rifle range, and so forth. The cost per head to the association per week for board and lodging would be 21s. On 31st May tiro Defence Minister received a cable from the High Commissioner stating that the New Zealand War Contingent Association had passed a resolution that an excellent •building was available for an auxiliary hospital for at least 100 men, and that Hie estimated cost and equipment for carrying on for one year was £12,000. The Home Government agreed to contribute equivalent to £6OOO, and tin' New Zealand Association in London £3OOO if the Government of Now i calami would subscribe the remaining £3OOO. The War Office highly recommended! an auxiliary hospital instead of a convalescent home. On 2nd June Hit' Defence Minister cabled Home a reply that New Zealand would contribute the £3OOO, and he also added that, as the Association had abandoned the convalescent home, he assumed that ample provision had been made for convalescent New Zealanders. The hospital is at Mt. Felix ? Walton-on-Thames, about 17 miles from London. It overlooks the river and is enclosed in beautifully la-id-out grounds of about twenty acres. It is on two floors, and contains thirty large and lofty rooms. A concert hall is also available. The ground-floor accommodates forty-five beds and the upper floor about the same number. There is an operating theatre and a sterilising room and X ray department, etc. All other necessary requirements are provided. Dr. Bernard Myers, brother to Mr. A - Myers, M .P., is the honorary -nodical officer in charge. Serious eases are not sent to the hospital.

'THE HOSPITAL OPENED. (United Tress Association —Copyrieht.) (Received August 1. 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. J. H on. T. Mackenzie opened the first New Zealand Hospital for the wounded at Walton-on-Thames. Lord Plunket and many New Zealanders were present. The building accommodates 110 beds.