IN THE HOSPITALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25085, 26 December 1944, Page 4

IN THE HOSPITALS

CAROLS AND MANY GIFTS

ELABORATE DECORATIONS So far as it is possible to brighten life in hospital, this was done at the various institutions under the control of the Auckland Hospital Board during the Christmas season. Hospital patients, persons under treatment in other establishments, and the children at the Wilson Home were all given a full opportunity to capture the Christmas spirit, and" were helped to forget their afflictions by entertainment and gifts provided from many quarters. Decorations were more elaborate than usual, particularly in the Princess Mary and Domain blocks at the Auckland Hospital. Most of the wards at both the Auckland and Green Lane Hospitals were gainly adorned, Christmas trees being central features. Well-filled Stockings

Festivities in the children's wards at both hospitals and the Wilson Home included visits by Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve pillowslips were used, as well as stockings, to hold the presents, which were provided not only by relatives and friends," but also by the Hospital Board and social service organisations. Several organisations and the board also made gifts to the adult patients. Each patient received several gifts. Parties of nurses on Christmas Eve made rounds of the wards, at both the Auckland and Green Lane Hospitals, singing carols. At the Auckland Hospital about 130 nurses joined in the singing and, in the light provided by Chmeso lanterns carried by members of the parties, gave much pleasure to the patients. The Green Lane nurses went round the shelters as well as the wards.

Board Chairman's Visits The chairman of the Hospital Board, Mr A. J. Moody, and members of the board visited the Green Lane Hospital on Sunday morning, conveying greetings to the patients in every ward. They made a similar visit to all departments and wards at tho Auckland Hospital yesterday morning, and attended divine service held in the hospital. A visit was paid to the Domain military block yesterday morning by Sir Ernest Davis, chairman of the Auckland provincial committee of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the Red Cross Society, Mr A. P. Postlewaite, president of the Auckland Returned Services Association, and Auckland centre of tho Red Cross Society, and Mr. K. C. Aekins, a member of the executive of the association and chairman of the centre. Sir Ernest made a generous gift of refreshments for the patients. Gifts were distributed on behalf of the association and the Joint Council. Excellent Dinner

An excellent Christmas dinner was provided at the hospitals for those patients whose diets were not restricted, the fare including turkey, poultry, lamb, trifles, fruit salad, jellies and, cream. Special menus were arranged for those not so fortunate. Visitors were admitted to the Auckland and Green Lane Hospitals yesterday afternoon for an hour. Those at Green Lane were not as numerous as usual, many of the less serious chronic cases having been permitted to spend. Christmas at home. There were large numbers of visitors at the Auckland Hospital and the military block. Several of the patients yesterday were enthusiastic in their expressions of appreciation of the efforts made to brighten their Christmas. MESSAGE FROM TROOPS UNITED STATES GREETINGS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Monday The following Christmas messages have been received by the Prime Minister, Mr Eraser: — From Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, Commander of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. —Christmas, 1944, finds us in Northern Italy after a year of hard fighting in difficult conditions, country and weather. Once again we will be in the field and there will be little time for relaxation. However, Christmas parcels and the grant from the patriotic fund for Christmas fare will be enjoyed and appreciated to the full as soon as opportunity occurs. 'Wherever we are on Christmas Day our thoughts will be of those at home in New Zealand. May I send to them through you greetings and best wishes from all ranks of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and may 1945 bring us victorv and peace." , ; ' From Mr E. R. Stettmius, United States Secretary of State. —"At this holiday season I send my sincere good wishes' for Christmas and the New Year. I know that we may take increased courage from our common successes of recent months, and that we may look forward to continued close co-operation in the future." From the Acting-Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific: —"The Government and peoplo of Fiji and the Western Pacifio once again thank you all in New Zealand for your friendship and co-operation in the past year and wish you a happy Christmas and a New Year of fresh victories for your gallant fighting men."

CHRISTMAS FARE MENUS ON THE GAMBIA The festive season had due recogni-. tion on board the New Zealand cruiser Gambia yesterday, and it appears froma most attractively-designed menu card that the Christmas fare offered was fully worthy of the occasion. The day began well with breakfast of coffee or iced tomato juice, cereals and hot milk, grilled ham, fried eggs and rolls and butter. At dinner, soup was fittingly followed by roast turkey, with sauce and cauliflower, green peas and potatoes. The Christmas pudding had the inevitable brandy sauce, and muscatels arid almonds, and preserved ginger rounded off the feast. Fruit salad, Christmas cake, biscuits and bread and butter provided a simple and tasty tea; and for the substantial supper customary in the Old Land there was cold york ham, salad mayonnaise, and mince pics with coffee and bread and butter. " For once, at any rate; it would appear that the men of the Navy would have no cause to envy their kinsfolk ashore.

STATE HOUSE DAMAGED Extensive damage was done by a fire which occurred shortly before nine o'clock last night in the kitchen of a State house occupied by Mr W. 11. J. Chappell, of 44 Jliro Avenue, Point Chevalier. The outbreak was caused when a can of petrol exploded while Mr Chappell was testing a camp cooker. When the Point Chevalier and Western District fire brigades arrived on the scene the flames had gained a strong hold in the kitchen and had penetrated the ceiling. Although the firemen were able to confine the fire to one room, the remainder of the house, which is of wood, was damaged by heat and smoke. There was no insurance on the furniture and contents. THIS WEEK'S COUPONS i Ration coupons available this week are: — Meat.—Nos. 8 and 9, H coupons worth 9d, J coupons 6d, others 3d; No., 10, H coupons 6d, J coupons sd, others* 3d;' ~ • ,■ !•'Sutter.; (ration Boz weekly, each coupon until January 7. ' Sugar (r&tion 31b each coupon 12oz).—Nos. 9 to 12.< inclusive, available 'until January#2l; special Coupon Y7, available until January .31, for 31b for jam-making. '. i! Tea (ratjon Boz monthly, each coupon 2oz).—-Nos. 9 to 12. inclusive, available until January 21. Petrol (ration face value of coupon), j—Nos. 6 and 7, available until Janui ary 31. :