MENTAL HOSPITAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 203, 28 August 1934, Page 8

MENTAL HOSPITAL

NEW BRANCH OF AUXILIARY.

RECREATION AND READING

, TJie'; • constitution -. •of the . Auckland Hospital Auxiliary was'recently "altered to permit of an extension of its activities to/mental, hospitals. A branch of the auxiliary ;hae, been formed, to be known .as the; Mental Hospital branch of the:. Auckland.; Hospital Auxiliary. Mrs. David Nathan- has .elected the first president. .. Tjhe committee, is composed of representatives: of; social welfare organisations ■ operating in Auckland. ~ : ■ . ■■_...

The object of the branch- is to provide comforts- and amenities for patients in the mental hospitals. Among the many activities planned with this aim ; in view are lessons in handicrafts,, entertainmente, sports and the'formation of a library.. Care will also, be <given to patients after their discharge. ■ . ;

At a special meeting., held 'recently, Mr. Hooker, of Hawera,. who has had wide experience in mental hospital; work, advised the committee on the formation of a library at Avondale. He said that.'the inmates specially.' welcome newspapers and magazines, which could be sent post free, if wrapped singly and addressed t0,., a mental hospital. He estimated that Avondale would need about 1000 papers a week, as most'of the patients liked to keep a papeiv to themselves. "The distribution of read-; ing , matter is a most inrportftn't;iWanoh'i of mental hospital work;" • Hooker, "and' }t gives them "mental- occu- - pation of the best kind."

--. It was-stated at the meeting that the ; branch would need very little money, to.carry Op, a.s most of the work was voluntary. ' Among the officers elected are: President. Mrs. DavM Nathan; subcommittee chairmen. Dr. Elizabeth Hughes (after care), Mrs. Mathias (library), Mre. Burton (entertainments), Miss S. E. Jackson (handicrafts),' '"Re'v. A. Russell Allerton (play reading), Miss Mabel Johnson (dancing instructress) , Miss Mary Geddes;' (honorary secretary), Mrs. R. E. Burlineon (honorary treasurer).