PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

Evening Star, Issue 22203, 4 December 1935, Page 2

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

MEETIW3 Of SOCIETY' The monthly meeting of the committee of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society was held yesterday afternoon. There were present Messs J. Loudon (chairman), D. Phillips, W. L. Logie, H. P. West, Dr Thomson. Mesdames R. Kennedy, D. Phillips, and E. C. Reynolds. / AGENT’S REPORTS. The Agent submitted the following report to the Home Committee:— The home has been kept fairly full during November, the majority of the cases being patients from the Public Hospital. Practically without exception all the patients admitted that they greatly benefited by their stay and the attention received at Warrington. Many verbal expressions of gratitude were received from the patients for the kindly treatment of the staff at' the home, in addition to letters expressing appreciation. The home is as popular as ever with those seeking convalescent treatment, and there is still a waiting list. ‘ The lawns and gardens round the home are looking well at present, and there is'evidence on all sides that the gardener has been busy. There will bp a good supply-of vegetables, and provision has been made for winter feed for the cows by the sowing of turnips and mangels. There is also promise of a good oat crop. The subscriptions from contributors to th© Victoria jubilee convalescent fund total £43 6s for the year. This amount goes towards the upkeep of the home. The gift of £3 3s from Lodge Celtic, No. 477, for Christmas cheer for the home is acknowledged with thanks.. The agent’s report to the committee was as follows: Prison Work. —The prison was visited every week, and we dealt with a number oi‘ cases requiring our attention. Assistance was given in the matter of clothing, board, and fares, and, while ministering to the material needs, we did not overlook the all-important need of the spiritual side of life. Prisoners’ dependents were given assistance in various ways, and seemed grateful for the work the society is doing on their behalf. , . v Mental Hospitals.—Orokonm Home was visited on Sundays and the Seacliff Hospital every Thursday during the month. We were able to do a lot of visiting, and kept in touch not ' only with the patients, but also with their friends. Through the kindly office of Big Brother Bill and other friends we were able to keep the patients supplied with an abundance of literature, which is always eagerly sought after.,. Our visiting also included Cherry Farm and the patients at the Neurasthenia. Horae at Puketeraki. We assisted in the discharge of one of the patients at Seacliff, and made all the arrangements for his transport to the North Island. A concert, which was greatly enjoyed by the patients, was given at Orokonm Home by the Ravensbourne Congregational Church Choir on Saturday evening, November 2. The usual Sunday church services for the patients'were conducted at Orokonui Home and at the Seacliff Hospital, and were always well attended. Wakari Hospital and Pleasant Valley Sanatorium.—The patients at Wakari were visited on two occasions last month, and we paid our monthly visit to Pleasant Valley, when we had the privilege of meeting all the patients there. Wo endeavour to- keep up a regular supply of literature for the use of the patients, and through the thoughtfulness of our many friends generous parcels of reading matter, illustrated papers, magazines, and books which were sent along to us for this purpose were passed on. The various needs of the patients and their dependents in the matter of clothing, etc., were met. An enjoyable concert was given by the Anderson’s Bay Orchestra under the direction of Mr L. S. Adam at Wakari Hospital on the evening of November 25. Public Hospital.—Every Sunday evening two choirs were in attendance and went througlt the various wards and gave a short song service in each of the wards, much to the enjoyment of the patients. The. leaders of the choirs that assisted last month were Messrs W. L. Logie, Wallis, W. R. Sinclair, G. Austin, S. Lawn, J. B. Davies, J. D.. M’Kechnie, and Miss Barron. Each week time was set aside for visiting the patients, and we endeavoured to be of service to those requiring our assistance. Arrangements were made for the transfer from the women’s wards of 10 patients seeking convalescent treatment at our rest home at Warrington. General.—The response to our appeal for funds towards Christmas cheer for patients and prisoners so far is fairly good, but a number of our usual friends have not yet responded, and we are anxious to have sufficient to give all the patients and prisoners and their dependents under our care the usual Christmas treat. We express thanks to the members of L.O.L. No. 9 for airanging a gift evening, the proceeds of' which were given to this object. GENERAL. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs Phillips, W. Easton, and the chairman was appointed to confer with the society’s solicitors regarding the amending of the rules. The Home Committee was authorised to erect accommodation for the gardener at a cost not exceeding £6O. It was decided that the Unemployment Board’s building subsidy should be ap plied for, and that the building should be completed before Christmas. Accounts amounting to £l2O Is 6d were passed for payment. The Chairman said they had had a very good year from the financial standpoint, and the prospects for next year were bright. It was satisfactory to know that they had the support of the public. At the conclusion of the meeting the Chairman expressed his thanks to the members for the co-operation which they had extended to him during the ycar ‘ ’ .