Brighton Convalescent Homes.

Two New Zealand officers' homes, run conjointly, were instituted at Brighton, that great seaside resort dear to the hearts of all Londoners. The two houses at Lewes Crescent which were used for this purpose, were offered gratuitously by Mr. and Mrs. Knight the owners, to whom New Zealand owes a debt of gratitude. They were excellently situated overlooking the sea with magnificent gardens attached. The furnishing of the houses was arranged in the most tasteful manner. In front was a greensward with tennis grounds, and, at the foot of the sea-cliff, facilities for sea bathing and boating. Although the houses provided for 50 convalescent officers, there were occasions when the accommodation was severely taxed. It was always a great pleasure to visit the home and see the happiness and contentment written on all faces. The air was good, while the care and attention given by the medical officer and nursing staff, together with the page 126massage treatment, soon made sick-looking officers appear once more robust.

There was also at Brighton a Convalescent Home for the New Zealand Army Nursing Sisters. It answered a similar purpose to that of the officers' home, and was excellently run.

From May 1st, 1916, to the time when the New Zealand hospitals were closed there were about 70,000 admissions of New Zealanders to New Zealand and Imperial hospitals in the United Kingdom. Walton-on-Thames admitted over 25,000 patients, and Brockenhurst well over 20,000.

Looking back over the period of their existence one might safely say that the New Zealand hospitals in the United Kingdom fulfilled their purpose. They accommodated and gave the necessary treatment to the vast majority of New Zealand officers, nurses, and other ranks. In them was created perhaps indefinably a New Zealand "atmosphere," and this gave to the men a feeling of contentment, assurance and happiness. The medical officers, nurses, v.a.d's., and all the other men and women, who in various ways contributed to the care and happiness of the patients, gave of their best; and the high order of the giving was always fully appreciated by the patients.

The work performed at New Zealand Medical Headquarters, London, where were carried out the organisation, equipment, and administration of the New Zealand hospitals, and other details, the framing of the general medical policy, the compilation of statistics, the arranging of medical boards, hardly comes within the scope of the present chapter which deals with the hospitals only.