PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

Evening Star, Issue 20863, 5 August 1931, Page 3

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

MEETING OF SOCIETY A meeting of the committee of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society was held yesterday afternoon, there being present Mr E. A. Rosevear (chairman), Mcsdames R. Kennedy, E. C. Reynolds, J. B. Callan, J. Dey, Miss H. Williams, Messrs G. It. Ellilfe, D. Phillips, C. B. Smith, F. IV. Mitchell, W. L. Logie, W. Easton, Janies Taylor, and F. G. Gumming and R. Sycler (agents).

GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT,

The general secretary (Mr Camming) in his report for the month stated that the period had been a very busy one. There had been the inquiry work regarding unemployment relief, attending meeting in connection with the same, and the distributing of needy gifts to those requiring help. Ho was much indebted to Mr J. B. Shacklock for a gift of ten tons of Kaitangata coal, also to Mrs J. B. Haggitt for five parcels of food and the sum of £5 tor coal. These gifts been of great help, and had been distributed to the best advantage. Tho_ society had quietly, yet most effectively, done its full share in the groat struggle that was going on pist now. The South Dunedin Baptist Church sent in a very fine parcel of clothing lor a special case. These gifts of clothing, food, and firing had been of infinite value to the society, and had been satisfactorily placed. The hospital choirs continued to carry on their work in the wards of the public hospital. He could not sufficiently thank them for the cheer and spiritual uplift that these evenings brought to the patients. During the month a gathering of the society’s workers was entertained at the Savoy. About eighty guests came together for a social evening, and it was a decided success, and would do much to encourage those men and women who did so much work for tho society. There had been a fairly heavy tax upon tho agents’ time with social work outside the society. A number of cases from the Belief Committoe had to be visited and reports prepared. Tho public hospital had been visited regularly and good work had been done amongst the patients. Ho had also visited Seacliff and Waitati Hospitals, the Rest Home, and the prison. Mr Syder had also visited Seacliff ami W aitati, and the W’akari Hospital, at the former places taking tho religious services.

In reply to a question by Mr Mitchell, Mr Gumming stated that with reference to tho distribution of coal and clothing he did not check his lists of recipients of relief with the lists Held by tho relief depots.—Mr Smith expressed the opinion that the work of distributing relief should not he canned out by the society, but should be left in tho hands of the depots which had been organised expressly for that purpose. Ho objected to clothing and other goods being stored up by the society when they could ho distributed amongst needy cases through tho proper channels. —Mr Gumming stated that at a recent meeting of social workers it was deckled that the various social organisations should carry on as before. Ho was certain that no overlapping in the matter of distrihuiton of relief was taking place. However, he would take steps to compare His lists with those of tho relief depots and report to next meeting. The report was then adopted. JAMES ROW 7 ELL CONVALESCENT HOME.

The James Powell Convalescent Homo Committee reported that since _ last meeting the total number r' patients admitted was ten, tlio total number for the past four months standing at thirtyfive. It was to be regretted that the nn in her of patients admitted was not greater. There had been no slacking of effort on the part of his office to keep the place full. There was, however, always' a lessoning in this direction during the winter months. Now that the weather was improving better things in this connection could he expected. There were a number of patients in hospital who would be going out to tho homo on their discharge. The general secretary was indebted to tho ladies of the committee for their great help in securing -patients with whom they canto in touch during, their visitation to tho hospital. Ho had visited the homo almost weekly, thus being able to meet the patients and make any arrangements necessary for their comfort upon their return home. This might mean putting into some homes a little bring and food. The manager had started to cut tho hedges, which would do much in tho way of beautifying tho home.—Tho report was adopted.