HOSPITAL CHOIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21386, 14 July 1931, Page 4

HOSPITAL CHOIRS

WILLING SERVICES RECOGNISED The members of thd choirs which, under the auspices of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society, pay periodical visits to entertain the patients at the Dunedin Hospital and other institutions, were entertained at a social gathering by the chairman and members of the committee of the society, in the Somerset Lounge of the Savoy last evening. The chairman of the committee (MrOE. A. Rosevear) occupied the chair, and the gathering, which numbered about 100 supporters of the society, included representatives of nearly every choir in the city. The chairman, after extending a cordial- welcome to those present, explained that the social was intended as a gesture of appreciation to the choirs which for so many years had given their services week after week to cheer the sick and suffering. The society was grateful to them, and he knew that the patients to whom they had given so many happy hours were equally so. He hoped that they would all be spared to continue their work for many years to come. Mr Rosevear referred to the valuable work carried out on behalf of the society by its first agent, the late Mr J. A. Torrance, and said that they had a very able successor in Mr F. Q. Gumming, who had now held the position of agent for 26 years. He also expressed pleasure at seeing with them that evening several ladies from Mosgiel who took a keen interest in the work of the society, and two representatives of the Salvation Army social service. Mr Rosevear then read the following telegram from the president of the society (Mr Justice Kennedy);—“Mrs Kennedy and I deeply re gret that public duties prevent our being present to convey with all assembled our appreciation of the good work which has so long been carried out by the society’s choirs. May the chairman convey to the choirs from me as president the society’s hope that it may long have their valued services.” Mr J. Loudon, treasurer of the society, spoke briefly and thanked the choirs for their services. Mr Gumming, after paying a tribute to the work of the choirs, said that one of the most pleasing feature's of his work was the harmony that existed between the society and other social organisations; They all worked together happily and unitedly in the interests of the sick,-the poor, and those needing assistance, and he wished particularly to refer to the happy feeling that existed between himself and his colleague, the probation officer (Mr J Garbutt). . , , At the conclusion of the speeches formality was dispensed with, and a pleasant social hour was spent, the following contributing to an enjoyable programme:— Mrs George Scott, Miss Walker, Miss M. Campbell, Miss Romenl, Mr Swann, Dr J. Thomson (eonga). Misses Shrimpton (Vocal duet). Mr W. Sinclair (humorous item). In addition, the gathering, led by Dr Thomson, took part in a hearty community sing, and after supper had been served the, proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne.”