PATIENTS AND PRISONERS

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 2

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS

ANNUAL REPORT TO AID SOCIETY The following are the chief items in the report of the agent and chaplain to he presented to the annual meeting of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society on Friday afternoon, February 23;—. The local lock-up was visited each week, and we came into personal touch not only with the short-sentence case, but also with those on remand and cases awaiting sentence. Most of the men sentenced here, even if they serve their sentences elsewhere, return to Dunedin and report to us. We are then able to assist in finding them employment and giving them a fresh start m life. Out of the number that passed through our hands during the year there was a good proportion who gave us the impression that they were determined to have done with the criminal life and to go straight. Dependents of those incarcerated received our attention, and at the Christmas season they were remembered in a kindly way, as were also local prisoners. Sunday morning church services were conducted regularly, and these were always well attended. The co-operation of Mr E. F. Mosley, probation and maintenance officer, the senior-sergeant, the assistant gaoler, and other officers has been of great assistance to us in this branch of the work. MENTAL HOSPITAL. Our society has always made a special feature of the work among the patients at Seacliff and at the branch Orokonui Home, Waitati, and besides the regular visits made to these two places the agent also calls periodically at Cherry Farm and the Neuropathic Home. A number of concerts were arranged, and those who assisted included the Coronation Concert Party, the Royal Dunedin Male Choir, the Justices of the, Peace Association of Otago with Begg s Orchestra and concert party, and the 4ZB Broadcasting Concert Party. Bands that visited and entertained the patients were the Dunedin Highland Pipe Band and the Kaikorai Band. Arrangements were also made for some of the patients to visit the winter and summer shows at Dunedin... One of the brightest days of the year for most of the patients is the sports and picnic held on the grounds at the hosjfctal. Everything in the way of reading matter and illustrated papers is welcome, and wo are grateful to the many friends who helped us to keep up the supply. Another helpful service undertaken is the responsibility of starting out in life those who the superintendent is prepared to discharge or release on probation. There was quite a lengthy list during the year. The results have been most satisfactory, and the treatment of the patients as a whole in this direction leaves no suspicion in our mind that some _ are not getting a fair chance. The medical superintendent and the members of the staff give ns every assistance in our work amongst the patients, and thus our task" has been lightened considerably.

DUNEDIN HOSPITAL. The Gospel Message in song was brought to the patients, m the various wards on Sunday evenings and never failed to find a response in the hearts of many. The following choirs gsve their services Hanover Street Baptist, Moray Place Congregational United Congregational Church of Christ, linox, Knox Junior, First Church. Trinity Methodist, Bandas Street Methodist, North-east Valley Baptist, and choirs conducted! by Miss Barron, Miss Logie, and Mr S. 'Lawn. The work of visiting the sick was carried on by the agent on two afternoons each week and the Ladies Committee also made regular visits and kept in touch with the patients in the female wards. From these wards 108 patients were transferred to our Convalscent Home at Warrington, and arrangements were also made for some of the male patients who were in .need, to receive special treatment in the country. The support given us by the superintendent, doctors, nurses, and others,,including the chairman of the Hospital Board." makes us feel that our work is appreciated. THE SANATORIA. It has been our privilege to visit the patients at Wakari and Pleasant Valley.. A pleasing part of our visits is to note the progress that many of the patients mak© under the skilful treatment given and to discover the number who are discharged! year bv year to return to their homes with the'knowledge of how to care for themselves. An important part of our work amongst the patients is the encouragement given them in their occupational treatment. Not only do we assist them in producing saleable articles, but we also help in finding a market for the goods. In this connection we acknowledge the kindly assistance given us by Mrs C. 0. Mathias, Mrs D. Tannock, and their helpers. The patients at Pleasant Valley held their usual sports afternoon and annual picnic at Trotter’s Gorge. Other amusements were concerts at Wakari and Pleasant Valley in which the following took part:—Dunedin Orphan’s Chib, Roslyn Presbyterian Choir, Coronation Concert Party, 4ZB Concert Party, and a concert party arranged by Mr Roy Wills. Dr C. E, W. Lyth, Dr 6. P. Bardsley, and the matrons of the institutions have given us much encouragement in our work amongst the patients and have always shown a willingness to back us up in our efforts. JAMES POWELL CONVALESCENT HOME. The committee’s selection of the site for its convalescent home for women has proved an ideal one With the hills on one side and the ocean on the other, and the beautiful and sheltered sur-

roundings gives the right setting for quietness and rest. We have received! some wonderful expressions of thankfulness from the patients who have received treatment, and we find in totalling up the number admitted during the year that 199 passed through our hands. We are always grateful, however, to receive gifts of fruit, etc., and to those who haye sent such gifts we express our wannest thanks. Although some of the patients are able to contribute a 1 little towards their stay at the home, it is very far from being self-supporting, and therefore bequests and donations towards maintenance have , been urgently needed and have been most acceptable. The new, garments made and supplied! by the Dunedin Hospital Guild for needy case* which come under the notice of our matron, have been most welcome and useful, and we again thank the ladies of the guild for their continued interest in the work of our society. We acknowledge too,, the numerous services rendered to the home by Mr H. Cooper, of Warrington. In concluding this report I would not be unmindful of the valuable assistance rendered in connection with the whole of the society’s work by Miss Jamieson, and also would add that, in all the society’s activities we have received the kindly and wholehearted support of the chairman and the members of the committee.