JAMES POWELL HOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22955, 10 August 1936, Page 5

JAMES POWELL HOME

TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY IMPROVEMENTS TO GROUNDS The work done by the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society, the oldest philanthropic institution in Dunedin, covers a wide field, and not the least of its invaluable activities is its conduct of the James Powell Convalescent Home at Warrington. It is here that women patients whose health requires careful attention and who would otherwise not be in a position to pay for such attention are given the opportunity of complete recovery, from illness under the most favourable and pleasant conditions. Some 18 months ago the home was extended and renovated by the society so that patients now have a large and comfortable lounge, in addition to which improved dining accommodation and a new and up-to-date kitchen have been provided. The committee, which is constantly working in the interests of the patients, has lately turned its attention to the exterior of the home and, with the aid of Mr D. Tannock; superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, has .planned alterations and improvements to the grounds that will result in more picturesque surroundings for the inmates. It is intended to transfer the vegetable garden, which is at present in front of the home, to the back, replacing it with sweeping lawns, a shrubbery, and a summer house. In Fenwick Park, a section bequeathed to the society by Sir George Fenwick, rustic bridges will be built and general improvements made, so that in the near future the patients will he able to'walk and rest under the shade' of ' the . native trees, with which.' portion of the park is covered.

A start was made with these exterior amenities on Saturday afternoon, when members of the society paid a visit to the home for the purpose, of planting an avenue of trees; along the driveway from the road to the main building. The trees were purchased by members of the committee, and when fully grown will provide a shady avenue of elms, limes, rowans and chestnuts that will undoubtedly enhance the appearance of the grounds. The ceremony was of an informal nature, each fnember of the committee : planting u tree under the supervision of Mr Tannock, to whom a great deal of credit is due for his willing assistance In the work of improving the surroundings. The first tree was planted by Mr Justice Kennedy, president of the society, who was assisted by Mrs Kennedy, other members of the committee who planted the trees being’:—Messrs D. PhiUips (chairman of the Home Committee), F. W. Mitchell, A. Kilgour, H. P. West, W. L. Moore, G. H. Elliffe, W. L. Logie, D. Tannock, Dr J. Thomson, and Miss Downie Stewart, Miss Tennent, Mrs H. L. Cook, and Mrs J. Dey. Other trees were planted on behalf of Messrs J. Louden, T. Somerville, W. Easton, H; Renfree, R. C. Burgess, and Mrs E. C. Reynolds, who were unable to be present. The trees were purchased from Messrs R. Nairn and Son, of Christchurch, who made a donation of two dozen shrubs to be used in the grounds of the home. . - During afternoon tea,, which was served by the ladies and the matron and staff of the home, Mr Justice Kennedy took the opportunity of expressing his personal pleasure at taking part in the ceremony. He had, he said, been delighted with the results of the recent renovations to the home, and was confident that when the outside work had been completed with the able assistance of Mr Tannock the surroundings would be entirely beautiful. Mr W. Downie Stewart, chairman of the General Committee of the society, extended thanks, to his Honor, who, he said, always took a keen interest in the work of the society.- It was a tradition that the judge should be the president of the society, and they valued the help of his Honor and Mrs Kennedy. They were also greatly indebted to the committee, which worked actively and earnestly in the interests of the home and the patients, and to Mr Tannock, who was always ready to help a society such as theirs which had good and useful work to do. Mr Tannock tried to educate the public to plant trees, said the speaker, and he hoped that he would also educate-people so that they would not cut them down. In New Zealand, more than in any other country, there was a tendency to cut down trees as soon as they grew to magnificent proportions, instead of leaving them to be an asset and a beauty to the country. Mr Stewart said that it was a happy idea to plant the trees on a date so close to Arbor Day, and expressed the hope that they would make a pleasing entrance to the home. He referred to the generosity of Mr James Powell himself, whose financial assistance had made the horhe possible, and, in conclusion, said he trusted that the wdrk would continue and that many people would be able to benefit from the result of the untiring and willing efforts of the committee of the society, Mr D. Phillips briefly returned thanks on behalf of the committee.