PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

Evening Star, Issue 21093, 4 May 1932, Page 3

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

MEETING OF SOCIETY

A meeting of the General Committee of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society, hold yesterday altcruoon, was attended by Messrs E. A. Rosevcar (chairman), E. W. Mitchell, W. L. Logie., W. Easton, D. Phillips, G. LDeuniston, and Mesdames J. B. Callan, E. C. Reynolds, G. Ritchie, J. Bey, and R. Kennedy. MONTHLY REPORT.

Mr F. G. Gumming reported as follows for the month ended May 2 In some respects tho month has been a fairly heavy one. While the unemployment does not interfere with our work to a great extent, yet the matter has had to ho considered as many call .seeking assistance. We are assisting the dependents of those who aro in prison or hospital. While in the main the Hospital Board assists we have a responsibility and that responsibility is met. The help required is very varied, it may mean clothing, firing, food, board, convalescence in the country. These requirements are met as far as funds will allow.

General Visitation.—This is carried out as far as time will allow. Seacliff is visited every Wednesday and every second Sunday. Even this is quite insufficient to do practical and satisfactory work amongst such a number of patients. The same applies to Waitati. Still it is quite impossible to do more.

Public Hospital.—This institution claims a fair share of my time, and the visitation is not neglected. All patients recommended for tho Warrington Convalescent Home are interviewed and arrangements made for their admission to the iiome.

Prison. —It is visited weekly, and any prisoner being discharged who is in need of assistance is helped by way of board, clothing, or fare to the country. Sunday Services. —These are held at Seacliff and Waitati Mental Hospitals. I am grateful to the nurses and attendants for the very fine help received from them. The patients themselves take a keen interest in the church services.

Song services.—These are conducted every Sunday in tho wards of the Public Hospital. They are of great cheer to the patients. My clothing cupboard is empty and has been so for many months. I must have clothing for the coming winter, and so ask permission to make an appeal in the Press. This is absolutely necessary to meet the needs of the people who are the responsibility of the society. It is not possible to supply new garments to all who come to us. Entertainments.—A first-class concert was given to the patients at the Waitati Hospital by tho Toch H party. The report was adopted. MR SYDER’S REPORT.

Mr Syder (the assistant agent) forwarded a letter dealing with the results of his visit to the goldfields. He said that he had done a lot of spade work and he felt sure that personal contact with the people would bear fruit in the future. Mr Gumming said that Mr Syder was opening up new ground in the goldfields. Members expressed the opinion that Mr Syder had done very well. The report was adopted.

JAMES POWELL HOME

Mr Gumming reported as follows under date May 2: — During the past month the home has been kept full and all the patients have done remarkably well in the way of improved health. All speak in the highest terms of the kindness shown and interest taken in them by the matron. Sometimes a patient requires special attention in the way of medical dressing, and in this respect we are fortunate in having a matron who is a fully qualified nurse. 1 have visit>.i the homo almost twice weekly and on each occasion found everythin" satisfactory. Two parcels of clothing nave been received from the Hospital Guild, and these have been suitably acknowledged by the matron. The manager has been busy in the garden preparing the ground and sowing seed for the coming season. The hedges are also being cut. This, of course, adds very much to the beauty of the place. I would recommend that the front gate be cleaned and painted, also that Fenwick Park bo cleaned of woods and sown in grass, which, together with the new fencing which has been authorised, would give the home a far better appearance. During the past month the home has been visited on several occasions by the ladies of the Home Committee. These visits are of undoubted value. There can be no doubt as to the usefulness of this fine institution which is doing great work amongst the sick. Mr Phillips moved the adoption of the report. The recommendation to_ improve the appearance was on the right linos. It was pleasing to note that the ladies were going out more frequently to the home than in the past.—(“ Hear, hear.”) The matron had reported that there were eleven patients in the home at present, and that he had received a number of gifts. The manager had reported what be was doing regarding the outside work. Mrs Reynolds stated that she had paid a visit to the home, and had been very pleased with the way it was being conducted. The report was adopted. FINANCIAL. The chairman submitted figures re garding the financial operations of the society for the period January-April. He said it was unfortunate that the statement before them showed a debit balance. Their treasurer (Mr London) bad, however, arranged for a bank overdraft to carry them on. Accounts amounting to £45 IGs Id were passed for payment.