Christmas spent at home
People i hospitals and prisons in Christchurch had their share of Christmas fare yesterday. Spokesmen for the Christchurch. Princess Margaret, and Burwood hospitals said that as many patients as possible were sent home for Christmas Day. Those who had to stay in hospital were treated to church services, carols sung by nursing staff, and other entertainments.
Families were allowed to visit as they wanted, and a spokesman at the Christchurch Hospital said it was very much a family day. The patients had an "exceptionally good” Christmas dinner. They had a choice of roast lamb and turkey, with all the traditional accompaniments. The dessert w r as fruit salad and ice cream or Christmas pudding. The evening meal was just as tempting, a choice
between 1 ;m salad and fish mornay. Father Christmas visited the Templeton Hospital yesterday morning and distributed presents to all patients. Each villa had its own Christmas party and dinner. Inmates of Christchurch prisons also took part in the festive season. Although visitors are not allowed on public holidays, the prisoners could enjoy a range of activities including church services, carol singing, films, and sports. The superintendent of Christchurch Prisons (Mr H. S. Stroud) said a recent change in legislation concerning gifts to prisoners had made little difference. To prevent smuggling of drugs, visitors could leave only reading material or money. The prisoners each got $3O to spend. Inmates at the Paparua and Christchurch Women’s prisons had a dinner of roast pork and a wide variety of vegetables. At Christchurch Women’s Prison, pavlova was served, while the men at Paparua had Christmas pudding.
Ham and salad, and fruit salad and ice cream were on the evening menu. Only one person was the guest of the Christchurch police in the cells at the Central Police Station yesterday. The station seniorsergeant said he received “normal” treatment. His dinner was the usual hot meal provided by a nearby hotel, without Christmas trimmings. About 340 people had their Christmas dinners provided by the Methodist Central .Mission and the Anglican City Mission. The Anglican City Mission catered for about 290 people at its midday dinner. The City Missioner (Captain P. Coughlan) said that many people came to the dinner because they were lonely, not just because they had no money. This year more people than usual had contributed food and money, which showed that tire public was more aware of the needs of others. Christmas celebrated in the Vatican and at Bethlehem, Page 3.
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Press, 26 December 1979, Page 1
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416Christmas spent at home Press, 26 December 1979, Page 1
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