PORIRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 146, 18 December 1933, Page 18

PORIRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL

Dr. J. U. Williams, superintendent of the Porirua Mental Hospital, announced yesterday. that for- one of the very few honorary positions awarded in his Department, that of ''Patients' Friend," the Rev. A. Harding, of Lower Hutt, had been nominated. Mr. Harding made over fifty visits during the year, and it gave the Department, great- pleasure to recognise the great and self-sacrificing work he was doing. The annual distribution of gifts took place yesterday, when the Rev. Mr. Harding and his band of assistants handed round, upwards oi. 500 parcels which had Feen donated by friends' of the movement and for which Mr. Harding desires to express his sincere thanks. Mr. R. L. Withington actad, as he has done for many years past, as Father Christmas, and a party organised by Mr. J. Pallister from the Petone Methodist Choir, with Mr. Frank Bryant as choir leader, rendered bright Christmas and other music. Those who took part were Mesdames W. Wakelin and Alma Millward, Misses.; Tait and Bucknall, • and Messrs. Frank Bryant, J. , Pallister, W. Miller, A. Wakelin, and W. Wakelin, jun. Dr. Williams thanked ■ Mr. Harding and all who had assisted him and gave special thanks to Mrs. Pratley and Messrs. Taylor and Sons for donations of cakesT A further distribution will be made by Mr. Harding on Tuesday and again next Sunday.