HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 152, 30 June 1938, Page 18

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

PROPOSED REST HOME

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

An appeal for funds to establish a National Women's and Children's Convalescent Home at Rotorua was made by Lady Statham at a meeting yesterday afternoon in St. James's Hall, Lower Hutt. The Mayoress, Mrs. J. W. Andrews, introduced the speaker, who was accompanied by Mr. J. R. Overton, interim secretary and organiser.

It is proposed to erect convalescent home buildings to accommodate up to] 50 convalescents, the home to be conducted for the benefit of indigent women, particularly mothers and children requiring non-medical, post-opera-tion, and convalescent treatment. In conjunction with this a farm will be run to provide meat, milk, eggs, fruit, and vegetables, and to make the home financially as well as domestically selfsupporting. The proposed site is several miles from Rotorua, near the Government settlement of Atmuri, where one of the most successful schemes of land development is in progress. The block is of 1600 acres with a carrying capacity of 4000 sheep, and the capital cost of the buildings, farm, and stock is ; estimated at £35,650. The board of governors, of which Lady Statham is patron and Mrs. A. E. Mansford, of Palmerston North, the president, has set out to raise the sum of £35,000 by public subscription, and hopes to have £12,000 by the end of August. The cost of each bed is estimated at £712, and of maintenance per bed per year £85. It is proposed that a number of beds be allotted for convalescents able to pay a portion of their expenses, and that the proceeds from this source be used in the extension of the home, which will otherwise be self-supporting in its running costs. This National Home is to serve the whole of the North Island. It is proposed to engage a competent staff with a matron and qualified staff sister, and to have in training six girls for domestic service and home nursing. The girls would" serve an equivalent time in the home and then go out to take charge of private homes where the mother is undergoing convalescent treatment in the National Home. Transport to and from the home would be by rail to Te Awamutu or Taihape, with a car service to Rotorua, and the services of honorary doctors in Rotorua would be arranged for. Plans for the buildings were circulated among the audience, and in the discussions which followed it was decided that in view of the many diaritable appeals already circulating in the Hutt Valley no special committee should be set up in the district, and that subscription lists be opened at the Borough Council and in the local papers. Books of subscription tickets are to, be sent to, the , committees of women's organisations in the Valley through the Mayoress until such time as the central committee in Wellington is established and can take charge of this. Votes of thanks to Lady Statham, Mrs. Andrews, and Mr. Overton were carried unanimously. "Happy. Hundred" Party. -. The opening dance of the "Happy Hundred "Club's season, held in Lower Hutt last night, was a festive, occasion, attended by many members and friends, a number of whom were, previous to the dance,' the guests of Dr. and Mrs. W. J. Htitchison at a dinner party. Gajj, decorations of massed Iceland poppijes'and birch-foliage chimed well with' tlie spirit of the evening, ; and the popularity of the excellent music from the Maori orchestra was evident in the many recalls. An appetising savoury supper was served informally,. The guests were received by the president, Dr. W. J. Hutchison, and Mrs. Hutchison (who was wearing a model gown in powder-blue satin). The committed comprised Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Taylor'(gowned in black crepe matalasse), Mrs. Jl T.. Harding (whose frock was of opal satin with a cyclamen sash), Mrs. E. T. Hogg (who wore a dinner frock of midnight blue lace), Mr. N. T. Gillespie, (secretary) and Mrs. Gillespie (wearing black flat crepe with an embroidered scroll design.in gold), Mr. Ron. Mitchell, and Mr. W. G. Fisher. ' . ' : PANDORA SOCIETY The Pandora/Musical and Dramatic Society, wheih has commodious quarters in the Esperanto Hall, .Victoria. Street, has been able to develop thei musical talent of its members this year. In addition to the dramatic a number of interesting evenings have been held, the most recent attraction being a two hours broadcast "From Station You and Me," complete with microphones, announders, amateur trials, and last but not least, Aunt Daisy. . . , I A Gipsy evening will be the next entertainment, when the stage will be [ arranged with tents, caravans, etc., and dances,, songs, and patter on gipsy life have been cleverly interwoven into a pleasing story by the producer and assistants. Other entertainments in the course of preparation are a "Nautical and a Military" evening, when members will be given further opportunity of entertaining and being entertained. Each fortnight the dramatic committee provides a three act play reading. The last effort was a play by John Van Druten, when great credit was due to Miss Gladys Morgan, who sustained a heavy part with sympathy and understanding. She was ably assisted by Mr. Len Walker and a strong supporting cast. The most recent work from the pen of J. B. Priestley "I Have Been Here Before" is next on the list, and members and friends are promised another pleasant evening.

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