HOSPITAL RADIO

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 19 June 1931, Page 9

HOSPITAL RADIO

OFFICIAL OPENING CLUB THANKED FOR GIFT SET TAKEN OVER BY GHAIRMAN OF BOARD About twelve months ago the Nelson Radio Club made public lliqir ambition to equip the Nelson Hospital with a wireless set, and a campaign for subscriptions was commenced. The happy culmination of the effort was realised last evening when members of the Radio Club, Hospital Board, representatives ot the staff and others interested in the installation gathered in the Board room for the oflicial opening of the set. Each bed in the institution is lilted with a headphone except those in the Children's ward, which is lilted with a loud speaker. A microphone was lilted ii)) last evening so that the speeches could lie. broadcast throughout, tin; building to the patients, who expressed themselves delighted with ihe radio.

HISTORY OF CAMPAIGN The President of the Nelson Radio Club, Mr A. Gould, delayed his opening until 8.15, when the 2Y A announcer made reference to the oflicial function taking place, at the Hospital. He congratulated the hospital, and hoped that the radio in no small measure would help to alleviate pain and help the patients to recovery. He knew wliat pleasure wireless had given to the patients in other hospitals and hoped it would do the. same, for Nelson. Mr Gould apologised for the haste m which the Club had asked the board to take over the set, but they wished it' to he handed over while the designoi, Mr Orbcll, was in Nelson, and so some of the courtesies which may have been extended in connection with such a function had. not been carried out. Ino Radio Club had wished for the I ost-master-General, the Hon. .1. B. McDonald, to open the set over the air from Wellington, but the Minister was away. Efforts were then, made to get the'Hon. H. Atmore to speak from 3YA, but that was also impossible. He Mayor of Nelson, Mr W. J. Moflatt, had also been asked to take part nut a meeting prevented him from attending. The. President, of the ( lub si»d Giat when asked over twelve months ago to take » part in the Club s activities lie did not know wliat was m store Or him After lie had been president lor some time the skeleton in the cupboard was let out—the Hub had an ambition to equip the Hospital with a. at lu. Within a. week of twelve months age the first public meeting to discuss the matter was held. On Soil, dun; km vear the scheme was launched, with an objective of .£SOO. The can,mug.. Or public subscriptions realised £4OO. I ndors were called for the installation, the highest being £425 and the lowest .L?/3. Before a final decision regarding tl.c. ' type of apparatus to he purchased, m- ’ formation was gamed from other .iospitals on their sets and suggestions toi improvements were made. . The Club, continued the ‘ resident, wished to satisfy three points in purchasing the set-to gel the best possihle for the money available, that tin. i machine ho all-British if possible, and that all things being equal, the mslaiUation be made, by local workmen. Ino set was a good one, designed by a Orbcll, who hail accompanied Umimander Byrd to the Pole for investigation purposes, the set was British, r Mr K W. Walker was the success! u ! tenderer. He Wished to thank the subscribers throughout the district, Mis • Milner and Airs G. 0. Coleman, wife ot the Club’s secretary, and all otliei helpers for their valuable eliorts in the c.mirnitm The President hoped the radio would help the patients who . were to listen-in, to bear their sulfeung w.tli fortitude.

VISITOR’S CONGRATULATIONS The Hon. W. W. Snodgrass, as a visitor, congratulated the hospital on being the possessor of such a set, and too Radio Club on the success of its elloia As one who had taken an interest m Lhc work of the institution or many vears ho sincerely congratulated the patients on having the opportunity giv-< on them to use the equipment. Wireless, he said, seemed to be. accepted as a matter of course, but the more that is heard of it the more wonderful becomes the invention. He spoke of the advantages of radio as a connecting link between all listeners and the world s best in music, public life and world liappcni„<rS Air Snodgrass hoped the hours spent by patients in the hospital would pass more quickly, that their sullen,!g would bo lightened by the radio; and was sure that if members oi the Lino visited the institution and saw me patients enjoying their gift, they would be rewarded for their citort. HOSPITAL BOARD CHAIRMAN Mr F. W. 0. Smith, chairman M Lie Hospital Board, said he was in the proud and happy position as chairman to take over the set which the Laoio Club bad provided for the hospital, ai d on behalf of the Board, stall and al connected with the hospita , he Ihankid the Club. It was difficult to realise the value of a wireless in a hospital he said. Through it there was no isolation and listeners came in instant_ contact with the host the world could give, lie was thankful to those who had undertaken the big effort it must have been but it was an example of what a fev, enthusiastic people could do. « ' the running of the institution in wl c the Club bad taken sueh an inlucst l a recently been criticised, but bc co ild assure bis listeners that the liosp t - run as economically as possiMe w t out, affecting its efficiency. had the co-operation of the wl o e bt. and the best possible was do it I n patients. The institution was i w entering on a difficult period m hosml, 1 management in New Zcal.ui , « was difficult to know what to do in i - gard to charitable assistance. ’ he gave an assurance that the c c ~ of the hospital would be maintained. The chairman again .thanked 1 < had helped in equipping the hospitwith a radio and was sure th.it tie patients would derive great benefit, consolation and comfort through it. sincerely trust that you have bestowed a, great blessing on the Nelson Hospital,” lie concluded. , ~ Dr. F. Hudson, oil behalf oi Lm patients and staff, thanked the • > for their gift and thanked the contilmtors. He was sure the . pi).ii •• tus would be greatly appreciated b\ the '"visitors for the ceremony ' the guests of the Matron at sti qu , which was greatly appreciated. A IMs - light photograph was taken Men’s ward with patients wealingthc headphones and the visitors groupc. i about the beds.

theTet The set contains eight valves, and ’1? an entirely British production, designed and constructed by Radio, Ltd., -'ueuland, in such a manner as to cope v the supply of 70 head-phones winch arc attached to beds in the institution mid can be used by patients at will, Mr Urj bell, of the designing company, lias been in Nelson to supervise the installation and testing on behalf uf the Radio Olun. Mr K. W. Walker was the contractor for tile installation.