PATIENTS AND PRISONERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23369, 8 December 1937, Page 2

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE A meeting of the executive of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society was held yesterday afternoon, and was attended by Messrs W. Downie Stewart (in the chair), G. H. Elliffe, H. North, D. Phillips, and Mesdames E. C. Reynolds, D. Phillips, H. L. Clark, and R. Kennedy. DONATIONS A letter was received from the Perpetual Trustees Estate and Agency Company stating that the trustees of the Theomin bequest had decided to make a distribution from the revenue money in hand, and that the amount which it had decided to grant to the society was £SO. The trustees wished the donation to be used for the purpose of the James Powell Convalescent Rest Home at Warrington.—Received with thanks. A further letter was received from the Perpetual Trustees Estate and Agency Company notifying a donation of £IOO by Mr C. E. Remshardt, of Halfway Bush, Wakari, for equipment at the James Powell Convalescent Home. The donation was to be regarded as a Christmas gift to the home. —Members expressed the society's gratitude to Mr Remshardt for his generous gift, which, it was stated, would greatly help the needs of the home. AGENT'S REPORT The agent (Mr A.-Steven) reported as follows for the month of November: — Prison Work.—Church services were conducted at the prison on two Sunday mornings during the month. We kept in touch with the men and gave assistance where necessary. Mental Hospital.—A friendly interest was taken in the patients in the various wards, both in the male and the female side of the institutions, at Seacliff and Waitati, and the patients at the neuropathic home at Puketeraki and those at Cherry Farm were visited. On the evening of November 6 the Royal Dunedin Male Choir and assisting performers gave the patients a real musical treat. On November 25 a number of the patients, through the kind courtesy of the Otago A. and P. Society, spent a most enjoyable day at the show. The usual Sunday church services were conducted at Orokonui Home and Seacliff.

Wakari Hospital and Pleasant Valley Sanatorium.—Besides paying the usual visits, a number of patients and their dependents were assisted. Motor drives were arranged for the patients, and these were greatly appreciated. On November 3, Miss Meda Paine's choir gave a musical evening to the patients at Wakari, and it was well received. On November 22 members of Mr John Leech's choir, with assisting artists, journeyed to Pleasant Valley and gave the patients a most enjoyable evening. On November 28 Begg's orchestra and concert party, under the auspices of the Otago Justices of the Peace Association, also gave a concert at Pleasant Valley. A good supply of literature was delivered at both places. Public Hospital.—Regular visits were made among the patients and a number of those discharged were assisted in the matter of clothing, footwear, fuel, train fares, etc. From the female wards eight patients were transferred to our Rest Home at Warrington. Every Sunday evening two choirs were in attendance and song services were conducted in all the wards. The choirs assisting included the Hanover Street Baptist, United Congregational, Trinity Methodist, Dundas Street Methodist, North-East Valley Baptist, and choirs conducted by Miss Barron. Messrs S. Lawn and W. L. Logic. We expresi our sincere thanks to Messrs V/irth Bros, for their kindness in admitting, free of cost, 50 Mental Hospital patients, and another party of patients to their circus matinee last Wednesday. It was a great treat for them and they thoroughly enjoyed the circus. City and Country Collecting.—This was carried on during the past month and there was a ready response from our regular subscribers, and the practical sympathy of quite a number of others was also enlisted.

The appeal for funds for our usual Christmas cheer for patients and prisoners has been made through the press. The report was adopted. JAMES POWELL REST HOME

Mr Steven reported as follows on the James Powell Rest Home:-

The home has been kept full during November and we have no vacancies until next Saturday. There is every likelihood of its being filled to capacity over the Christmas season, and those convalescing during that period, although away from their own homes, will still partake of some of the joys of the festive season. At present the home is producing a goodly supply of eggs, milk, cream, butter and vegetables, and the needs of the patients are well supplied. Despite the dry weather the grounds round the home are looking remarkably well and the flower gardens are tidy. Not only is there plenty of vegetables for present use, but rotation crops have been planted, and are coming on well. There is a fair crop of hay, and it is almost ready for cutting. The report was received.