PATIENTS AND PRISONERS' AID

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22205, 7 March 1934, Page 11

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS' AID

MEPN& 0F .SOCIETY The monthly meeting of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society was, held in the Returned Soldiers' Club rooms yesterday afternoon, there • being present Mr J. Loudon (chairman), Mesdames J. Day, and R. Kennedy, Miss Hunt, Messrs G. L. Denniston, W. Easton, J. Taylor,;' F. W. Mitchell, A Kilgour, H. North, and R. Gilkison. ' Prior to the commencement of the meeting the chairman referred to the bereavement suffered by Mr G. H. Elliffe through the death of his wife, and a motion of sympathy with Mr Elliffe was carried in the customary manrier. Mrs J. B. Callan tendered her resignation as a member of the General Committee of the society as she was leaving Dunedin.—Mrs Callan's resignation was accepted with regret, and Mrs M. L. Cooke was elected to fill her place. AGENT'S REPORT. The agent and chaplain (Mr A. Steven) reported as follows on the busi* ness done by the "society during February:— } Every week the prison was visited and assistance was given to several cases recommended. The dependents of one prisoner were unfortunate enough to have a fire in the bedroom of their home. A mattress and blankets' were supplied to help towards their loss, and the recipients were most grateful for this timely assistance. Othsr dependents were constantly drawing on the society's resources. As time had permitted visits had been paid to the Public Hospital and the, cases recommended for the Rest Home had been interviewed. In connection with the work of. the choirs on Sunday evenings arrangements are being made for other city church choirs to assist. Several hospital cases had received assistance in various ways during the month. There are about 40 patients in each of the sanatoria visited—Wakari and Pleasant Valley—and none was overlooked. Literature was always welcome, and lately the society had been in a better position to supply the demand. The annual picnic in connection with the Pleasant Valley Sanatorium was held on February 13. Two young women were discharged from this sanatorium during the month, and were delighted at the cure that had been effected. Practically all the patients are cheery and hopeful of recovery and appear to be wonderfully patient. At the mental hospitals the usual Sunday services had been conducted, and were well attended. The patients at Orokonui Home and Seacliff had been regularly visited, and a number of the patients' homes in the city had also been visited. The annual picnic and sports held at Seacliff on February 15 proved a great success. The patients from Orokonui Home participated in the various events, and altogether it was a most enjoyable outing. Last Sunday the Dunedin Pipe Band visited Orokonui Home and Seacliff, assisted at the church services, and gave programmes of music in the open. On the journey home the band called at the Rest Home and played several selections. The thanks of the society are due to the Pipe Band for this kindly effort on its behalf.. An unusual quantity of books and literature, was supplied to the mental hospitals last month. Besides the usual callers for assistance the society investigated six private eases and received the funds to provide for their needs, and the total amount required was no small sum. These private requests are an indication of the confidence placed in our society.

The society's appeals by letter through' the press for: left-off clothing, shoes* bedding* literature, etc., had never been, in vain, and, .thanks ifvere due not only to the donors of the gifts but also to the editors of the Times and for their kindly help. A number of families were helped in 4he. matter of clothing m a result of the response to these appeals, but there are still others requiring, assistance, and any parcels will always be acceptable. The report; was adopted. JAMES POWELL REST HOMB.

The committee of .'the , James Powell Rest Home reported asfollows:—• Although the home had hot been as taSL as it was in January yet there had been v a steady number bf inquiries and most of the cases recommended from ths Public Hospital in February had availed themselves of the opportunity of rest and recuperation.

The home had been visited every week and the patients spoke highly of the treatment they received and seemed most grateful for the period of convalescence which they themselves were not in a position to finance. . ; At the farm a good crop of oats; was scythed and made into hay for wintetf use for.the cows. The vegetable gardea and grounds were in good order. A gift of jam bottles was received from Mr Cleary and a sugar bag Of jelly apples was given by Mr-J« T« Lawrence. Gifts such as these were very acceptable and the Rest Home could always make use of any gifts such as jam, honey, poultry, etc.

The report was adopted. GENERAL.

The chairman announced that ths society would benefit by over £6poo fromt the Christina Davie bequest, with the' result that the late Sir George Eenwick'a dream of having interest-bearing funds amounting to £IO,OOO would be realised, as this bequest, with the funds already possessed by the society, would bring the total up to £12,000. It was decided to endeavour to dispose of the society's property at. Mibiwaka, the matter to be left in the hands of lb* chairman, Mr Worth, and Mr Mitchell. The chairman said that last year Mr Syder had canvassed the country districts for the society with considerable success and he thought it would be a pity if tho society's country connections were relinquished. He therefore suggested that Mr Syder be engaged to canvass the country districts this year for a period of about three mouths.—Members expressed their approval of the suggestion, and the chairman was empowered to make ar> rangements in the matter.