PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20867, 6 November 1929, Page 14

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

SOCIETY’S MONTHLY MEETING,

Iho monthly meeting of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society was held yesterday afternoon, and was attended by Messrs E. A. Rosevear (chairman), \V. Hlnckic. H. L. Tapley. J. Taylor, F. W. Mitchell. C. B. Smith, W. Easton, D. E. Phillips, R. Gilkison, D. Todd, and Mrs J. Dey. SECRETARY'S REPORT.

The secretary reported that the month had been a very full one, and all institutions had been visited except Pleasant Valley Sanatorium. He thought that he could report with confidence that at each institution good work had been done in the name of the society. There had been during the month quite a large number of callers for assistance, and each case had been dealt with on its merits. Among those helped had been a number of men just _ liberated from prison requiring clothing, boots, fares, or help for the home. He might say that these people on the whole were very grateful for the help given, and in quite a few cases, the amounts or part of them would be refunded. He was in receipt of one letter from a man - asking to what extent he had been helped, and to send him the account so that he could refund it. The mother and family were those who suffered most when the husband or father was sent to prison, as nothing was forthcoming for three months in the way of prison pay. and it was. therefore, the duty of this society to tide them over this period. After reporting on country collecting, the secretary stated that the collecting of local subscriptions would be finished during the month. Accounts amounting to £3B 3s Od were presented for payment. In reply to a.question, the secretary said that ex-prisoners coming from the prisons in the north called at his office and were assisted.

The report was adopted. JAMES POWELL HOME

The agent’s monthly report of the James Powell Convalescent Homo Committee stated that he thought he could with safety state that the month had been a very good one from every standpoint. He had found on each of the three visits paid everything spotlessly clean and the patients happy and all doing well. It was wonderful what two or three weeks could do for people in search of health. Good food and the kindness shown worked wonders. Ho had to report having received two large parcels of clothing from the Hospital Guild. These had been taken to Warrington for the matron to dispense to needy patients. Ho had also to report with pleasure the visit of three ladies representing the Austral Club (Miss Ross. Miss Dutton, and Mrs Dick), who had brought with them a very fine selection of gifts. He had had the privilege of meeting these ladies and explaining to them the general work of the home and its great object in helping to heal the sick. They had been charmed with the home, and had expressed their great sympathy with its aim. There were at present nine patients in the home. The report was adopted. HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

The agent’s report to the Hospital Committee stated that the period under review had been a very full one, as the following table will show:—Sunday services—SeaclifT 3, Waitati 3; song services, Hospital 64; visitation, SeaclifT 3, Waitati 2, prison 2, Hospital 24, Warrington 3. The Choral Society had given a wonderful evening’s, pleasure to the patients at Seacliff. Mr West had represented the society. The Anglican Glee Club had also given a rare treat to the patients, and it will be seen that SeacUfi was fortunate in having visits from these two musical companies during the month. Mr Todd had been present at the last concert. The Mosgiel Factory’s Choir, under the leadership of Mr George Scott, had given a most interesting evening’s enjoyment to the patients in the Wakari Hospital. This had been really a firstclass night’s pleasure. He could not speak too highly of the kindness shown in each case by the institutions in seeing to the needs of the entertainers. The Mosgiel Choir had brought with it a fine gift to the patients. He had not been able to visit Palmerston, but would do so during the coming week. At each institution good work was being done. Members expressed appreciation of the kindness of concert parties in visiting the homes, the report being adopted.

FINANCE,

Mr Todd reported on behalf of the Finance Committee that subscriptions collected during October had amounted to £l3 9s lOd. The subscriptions for the year amounted to £528, compared with £587 at the end of October of lAsfc year. It was hoped that by the end of the year the total would have been brought up to that collected for 1928. The matter of las, i rl } nc , es , bad been attended to, and the staff had been fully insured against accident.

/ letter was received from the trustees ot the late Sir George Fenwick stating that under his will the sura of £350 had been bequeathed to the society for its immediate use, A further sum of £309 would be forthcoming at a later date •n ® chairman stated that under ‘the $ iinniM® J a r 6 M T - Robert Ha y the sum of £IOOO had been left to the convalescent home. Mr Hay had visited the home, and nhile there had informed the matron of lus intention of helping it. expressing addonpt,on<!»o£ tT J° ' vork that was being d ? n f,‘ Strangely enough, while he was at the home he had become ill and had not recovered*