PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19802, 29 May 1926, Page 19

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID SOCIETY.

WORK OF THE SOCIETY. Thp following iviiort lias been submitted by the general secretary (Mr F. .0. Ciiminingl to the committee of the Patients and Pnsoiiers’ Aid Society, of the work done by the society since March 28 oi tins year; — . . . Tlu! sonoral wml; of (lie society has been fairly heavy and has made strong demands upon your agent’s time. The *ot!ice woik ami attending to (he many who call upon business matters has also taken much time and thought, ’1 can with truth dce.a -e that your agent is not amongst the unemployed The winter just eoming on reveals much in the way of real poverty, and this your agent is called upon to meet. I may state that, with rare exceptions, no help is given to other than those who rightly come within the society's responsibility, such as the wives and families of those who are in prison or who ha\e been released from prison; and also the sick from the hospital To cover this great field of need satisfactorily, one would require much more money than can be placed at your agent’s disposal. I desire to state that what I can spend is put to the very best use and those who are helped arc more than grateful. THE SEACLTFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. The Scad ifT Mental Hospital is visited weekly Patients are seen, advice given, communion dispensed from time to time and small gifts are given. Regular religious services are also held which give much pleasure to the patients and tile stall, whne entertainments arc not overlooked. I am not sure if I reported the fact that the society entertained some 54 patients at. the Exhibition. This was a great day to them. 1 wish to state that I feel proud of my society's effort in this direction. Ihen, 1 was able to arrange for the Pipe Band to spend a full Sunday at this institution. This meant that the members gave six distinct concerts. I (hanked the hand in the name, of my committee for their presence and the fine entertainment given. JAMES POWELL CONVALESCENT HOME. Tito sub-committee of the James Powell Convalescent Home visited the home and the visit is the subject of a special report. 1 beg to state that at last, i have been able to get a cook-general and hope she will be satisfactory. It has been must trying to carry on with a makeshift. In all there hare been 53' patients in residento this year. I beg to report that all tire wiring up of Iho rooms and fittings, etc., arc now completed. I expect the light to be put in at any time. The home is carrying on its beneficent work with great satisfaction to the sick who are sent there to recuperate after serious illness and general breakdown in health. THE PRISON. ’J he pri.-on is not overlooked. Of course, there are never many pri.-oneis in residence except during (he Supreme Court sessions. Reading matter is supplied and small gifts given to tiie inmates, and also such assistance and help on their discharge as is (Itemed wise by your agent. I may add in this connection that the wives and children of those in piison tiro not forgotten. Bools bare to be found for them as well as clothing Firing must also from time (one be put into ihe-o homes as well, as food. My charity fund is not large, and a good deal of planning has to bo doii!? to make (he amount go round. I am rather afraid that we ate going to have a fairy iiar 1 winter. FIN ANCE 1 am now doing ny collecting amongst the subscribers who pay up before June 30. l.jnite a large number do not pay until after that date in order to avoid making the payment appear twice in the animal balam e sheet. I am hopeful that on the whole we shall ba\e a satisfactory f .on pleased to state that the work of tile society is being satisfactorily carried nut in all its varied departments. 1 am putting before yon four letters of appreciation from patients who have been at the ('onvaV-eent Home.