FUN AT AVONDALE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 305, 24 December 1926, Page 10

FUN AT AVONDALE.

A NIGHT OF JOLLITY. PATIENTS MAKE MERRY. THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. "Take your partners for the waltz," was called, and in a trice the powdered floor was crowded with eager dancers. But the location was not a city cabaret, with an assemblage of light-footed and lightly-clad young flappers doing the modern version of the old favourite. The scene was set in the main hall of the Mental Hospital at Avondale, where members of the Auckland Rotary Club had arranged for an evening which should bring "that joyous Christmas feeling" to the patients of that institution. The result was more than successful for not the patients only, but nurses, attendants and visitors joined heartily in the fun and jollity for a couple of hours—good, honest, wholesome fun in which the Christmas spirit had unbounded sway. At the entrance to the hall was a huge, beautifully-shaped Christmas tree, bountifully laden with presents and sparkling with coloured lights. On the platform proceedings were opened by some charming carol singing by members of All Saints choir, including half a dozen juvenile choristers, which met with the enthusiastic approval of the audience. Then came Chief Attendant Laing's announcement of dancing. A string orchestra struck up, and in a hall that was ablaze with light and with bright colours the waltz was taken up by so many that the space left clear for dancing was overcrowded. Many of the dancers were elderly. One old woman with drawn face, silvered hair, and bent shoulders rose from her chair and hobbled across the room. Soon she had a partner, for a young nurse piloted her round. A middle-aged patient with a military air was striking in his air of gallantry and his quaint evolutions. But, as in any other ballroom, there was ample diversity of style, and the main thing to be noted was the very obvious fact that "everyone was happy." After the dancing, a diversion was caused by the entrance of Santa Claus, accompanied by two gorgeously attired assistants. "Santy" had great loads of bon-bons, which "he distributed with lavish hand to the gratification and merriment of the recipients. Next attendants! made their appearance with

hampers, and still more hampers, full of presents for each individual patient. It appeared that the Rotarians had used their influence in their own homes and also among their friends in the town to secure presents of goods and money, with the result that there was enough for all. The stalF of the hospital had sorted out the gifts according to suitability for each patient. These were then neatly parcelled and specially addressed ready for distribution last night. It may be added that the gifts displayed a judicious blending of pleasure-giving and utility. While those present at last night's function represented about half the total of the inmates (1180), the absentees were not forgotten, and everyone received his or her memento of a notable occasion. The effort which had such a successful termination last evening was the outcome of a suggestion made in April last by his Excellency the Governor General, Sir Chas. Fergusson, who advocated the establishment in Auckland of a Sunshine League, and suggested to the Rotary Club that more attention might well be given to brighten the lives of the inmates of the Mental Hospital. The party which visited the hospital included a party of Rotarians, headed by the president, Mr. W. Coltman; a Christmas carol party, consisting of members of All Saints' choir, in charge of Mr. H. W. Manning; and Burnnand's band. The district inspectors and official visitors were also represented. A feature of the entertainment was an excellent conjuring performance contributed by Mr. Kenneth Smith. After supper had been served, the medical superintendent, Dr. H. M. Prins, expressed the gratitude of the patients and staff for the visitors' attendance and the generosity of the business firms and several individuals who had donated gifts and money. He specially thanked the Rotary Club and its secretary, Mr. A. J. Hutchinson, who had taken such an enthusiastic interest in the visit. Dr. Prins also expressed his gratitude to six donors, Mesdames A. L. Wilson, F. W., R. M., Joseph M. and J. Martin Wilson, and Mrs. John Alexander, who had jointly contributed £150 for the benefit of the patients. Half of that sum had been used to purchase six gramophones, and the remainder would be held in reserve for future use. The response of the people of Auckland had been magnificent, Dr. Prins said. At the conclusion of the Doctor's remarks, a patient rose and moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded. This was duly seconded and. carried by acclamation. _____ , _