PATIENTS AND PRISONERS5 AID

Evening Star, Issue 20054, 20 December 1928, Page 13

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS 5 AID

MEETING OF SOCIETY The monthly meeting o)' the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society, held on Tuesday afternoon, was attended by Mr E A. Roscvcar (chairman), Mcsdamcs J. Dcy, Georgo Roberts. E. C. Reynolds, Miss Williams, Sir George Fenwick, and Messrs J. Loudon, G. L. Deiiniston, F. AV. Mitchell, 1). Todd, W. L. Logie. A. Kilgour, C. B. Smith, and G. 11. Ellifle. AGENT’S REPORT. The agent (Mr F. G. Gumming) reported that ho had spent a great_do.il of time collecting, and had met with a fair response, the people were kindly interested in the society’s work, and especially in the rest home. Ho was indebted to Mr Walter Blaekic for giving him a day with his car in the ,Tiiiori district, tho response being very Ifitir. There wore still some amounts (to'ikiomo in. These would reach him tdiiring the week. During the period idfrder review the sum of-£23 10s 3d fhltl been spent on charity among some ’tliii'ty ncorde. In almost each case tho had been given to married people mlh families, and all,were entitled to (have some assistance from the society’s funds. He was extremely careful in his inquiries. This was necessary to avoid imposition. The committee ’would be pleased to know that during the month ho had been able to arrange for Miss Jimsie Fraser and Mr Georgo Death to give a concert at the Waitati Mental Hospital. Tho visitors had given a '-cry happy, enjoyable evening, klio chairman of the Hospital Committee had thanked them for their kindness. Tho agent was now taking his services at Scacliff and Waitati. The Rev, Mr Brodic, of Scacliff, had taken the services of the former place for a period of nine months He desired to acknowledge tho kindness of Mr Brodie. Ho was sure his committee would most heartily concur in this. The following summary would show «diat tho society’s religious efforts had been during the month under review;—Sunday services; Seacliff 2, Waitati 3. Song services; Hospital, 32. Total. 37. General visitation: Scacliff 4, Waitati 3, Warrington 3, prison 2, hospital 18. Total, : 30. His visitation was very thorough, and at all tho places he was made very ’ welcome.

There was great opportunity of doing real Christian work at these 'nstitutions, and as far as time would permit ho was making the most of the came. He received every assistance from nurses and attendants at each institn tion, and aso great kindness from tlic doctors at each place The year which was coining to a close had boon a fairly heavy one fothe agent. Still, there was much to he so.cn front the efforts put forth. Ho was grateful to his committee for all kindness shown and encouragement given, and also to the Press for the great help which had been given by the publishing of tho monthly reports,_ and last, but not least, to the hospital choirs lor their magnificent work during tho year. Tho Christmas cheer fund was not coming in just ns cmickly as ho would like. Tho report was adopted. FINANCE. The Chairman of tho Finance Committee (Mr i). Todd) reported that the society’s finances would probably ho square at the end pf tho year. The statement, however, was not complete, and a comparison with previous years dfas not possible. Amounts received from patients and the Dempsey Trust wore so far £6O more than last year, and there was still some money to come in. In bequests the society had received £455. and £ 1,000 had still to come in from tho estate of the late Mr Robert Hay. Tho society’s endow, monks would then bo £4,500. Assist ance granted to date amounted to £335, an increase of £2l on tho amount for last year, and tliero was still an amount to como in for December. The treasurer read a statement which showed that the society had a credit balance of £550 9s lOd, and that the receipts for tho year were £2O 15s in excess of expenditure. The, reports were adopted. GENERAL.

Tlio committee discussed at some length the fete to be held at the Warrington Rest Home on January 19 in aid of the funds of the home. The Chairman' stated that a number of people had promised to assist, and that there had been numerous offers of gifts. The fete promised to be very successful. , The Chairman welcomed Miss Williams, who recently returned from a trip to the Old Country.