Religious Services At Infirmary

Northern Advocate, 28 November 1939, Page 6

Religious Services At Infirmary

[Special to “Northern Advocate”] AUCKLAND, This Day. A special committee which was set up to make inquiries, following the prohibition by the medical superintendent (Dr. E, L. Fitzgerald) of religious services at the Auckland Infirmary, recommended last night that services should be allowed. • The board, however, approved of singing services only. Dr. Fitzgerald had reported that the institution was now a chronic hospital. Many Extremely HI. A large proportion of the people there were extremely ill and required rest and quiet. It had been found necessary to control the many religious bodies regarding the times and places of service. In the present case 20 or 30 young people made tours of the wards during visiting hours and sang. This might have been suitable when the institution was a home for the aged and infirm, but it was not desirable in a chronic hospital. Singing Services.

The committee recommended that services should be allowed, but the chairman (Mr Moody) suggested that the air would be cleared if the committee’s- recommendations were altered to provide that singing services should be allowed, arid that Mr, J. Victor Macky should make arrange? ments with various religious organisations for other services. This proposal was adopted. .