CHRISTMAS DAY AT THE HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 78, 27 December 1926, Page 14

CHRISTMAS DAY AT THE HOSPITAL

DISPENSING CHEER CELEBRATION IN ORPHANAGES That true! kindness and Christian thoughtfulness have not fallen into decay and that there are still many whose thoughts at Christmas turn to the orphanages and hospitals, and those homes where the aged spend the eventide of their lives, was very apparent on Saturday when Christmas Day was fittingly celebrated at such institutions in Wellington. Saturday was a great day at the public hospital where every thought and pvery ounce of energy on the part of the doctors-, sisters and nurses was expended in providing cheer and comfort for the patients. Every ward was gaily bedecked with colours, each one following out its own particular scheme of decoration. Long festoons of streamers from which floated coloured balloons and Chinese lanterns stretched from end to end of the wards. The electric jrgnts were draped witn coloured papers, while everywhere stood vases of beautiful summer flowers. From one end of the building to the other was a blaze of colour which stood out in striking contrast against the spotless white .wals and antiseptic cleanliness of the various wards. Of the 450 patients in hospital there was not one who did not receive a parcel containing some small gift—more valuable for the spirit in which it was given than its intrinsic worth-while those whose physical condition. permitted it received special Christmas fare. The children’s ward in the evening was transformed into a veritable wonderland. Streamers and coloured lights were everywhere, and in the centre of the ward stood a Christmas tree shimmering in tinsel glory and 'laden with toys of all and every variety. The beds of the little sufferers—about fifty all told— were drawn up on either side. Expectant faces, wide eyed, and open mouthed, gazed towards the tree as the house surgeon in charge of the ward ;(Dr. E. Button) forsaking the stetheBcope for the false whiskers and the red gown, entered as “Father Christmas.” The chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board (Mr. C. M. Luke) introduced “Santa Claus” to the children, and said that for very many years he had attended the Christmas tree celebrations at the hospital. In fact, he had been to them for so long that lie knew many, who as patients in the children’s ward had received gifts from “Santa Claus,” but who . were now grown-up men and women with families of their own. Mr. Luke paid a tribute to the work of the medical superintendent (Dr. Wilson), the doctors, the matron (Miss Stott) and the nurses for the work they were doing in restoring the little ones back to health. “Santa Claus” then made his way from bed to bed distributing the gifts, the ward soon being filled with the noise of trumpets, crackers, whistles and squeakers. At the Ohiro Home the inmates celebrated the day in the true festive spirit, and were unanimous that this Christmas would remain a happy memory. One old man, who held between his toothless gums a short black pipe, the staunch companion of manv hours’ musing in the sun, was heard to remark, “By Jove, we’ve all had a great day of it, and could not have been treated better,” and that, undoubtedly, sums up the general expression of entire satisfaction and appreciation of the 90 men and 15 women in the home. To the men were distributed gifts in the way of pipes, tobacco, neckties, and books, and to the women articles such as fancy soap, cups and saucers, afternoon aprons, and sewing outfits. To see the look of pleasure as the gifts were handed out was happiness in itself. The dining hall was tastefully decorated, and an excellent Christmas dinner done full justice to. A concert provided by the staff and inmates was given in the evening. The old people were an extremely happy and cheerful crowd, and seemed at times to forget their infirmities. They wanted for nothing, with the exception of renewed youth and activity. The laughter of happy children ’echoed throughout the various orphanages in Wellington during the day. Anyone present at any of these homes for unfortunate children—or, rather, the children of unfortunate parents, for the children are really fortunate in having such, splendid homes—could not but have experienced the softest impulses on seeing the faces of children radiant with joy. The majority are orphans, while others are innocent victims of some parental misfortune, but happier and brighter and more cheerful families would be hard to find. At pvery orphanage, home, or hospital for children in Wellington each inmate received a gift, due, to a large extent, to the generosity of the Commercial (Travellers’ Chib, which this year distributed, all told, £485 for the purchase of toys. At the Home of Compassion, at Island Bay, where there are 110 children, the gifts were at the youngsters’ bedsides when they awoke on Christmas morning, and from an early hour there was the din from the blowing of tin whistles and bugles. There are also 24 adults in the home, and to the men were given ties, handkerchiefs, and socks, and bed jackets and shawls were distributed to the women. The home was beautifully decorated by the* Sisters of Compassion, whose noble service is only too well-known to the public of' Wellington, wisteria, lavender, red and orange-colonred streamers predominating. A really jolly time was spent by the youngsters at the Salvation Army Homes, both for boys and girls, one of the officers, in the person of “Father Christmas,” seeing that all varieties of toys were handed out among the youngsters. Those at the Home for Aged Needy and the Home for Incurables were not forgotten. The matron and a bevy of nurses from the 'Wellington Hospital visited the former institution on Christmas Eve and sang carols to the inmates, who were similarly treated by a party from the Berhampore Baptist Church on Saturdav morning. At both places extreme artistry of taste was displayed in the decorations which adorned the wards and corridors. Seasonable gifts were distributed and the inmates thoroughly appreciated the many kindnesses bestowed on them.