PATIENTS AND PRISONERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23828, 7 June 1939, Page 8

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS

I SOCIr!tSS MEETING i.-. The monthly 'meeting ,of the Patients and Prisoners':-Aid- Society was held yesterday^,'. afternoon; •• Mr W. Downie Stewart',,Occupied' the chair, the others present toeing Dr, J. Thomson, Messrs W. Eastohj* J. Taylor, W. L. Moore. H. P. TOMjftL North, F. W. Mitchell, Mesdames H. L. Cook. J. Dey and E. C. Reynolds. Advice was received that, under the will of Mr J. D. Calder, of Ratanui, the society would benefit to the extent of £IOO., The sum'of £IOO was also left to the Victoria Jubilee Convalescent Mfs.D.'.R; Ritchie tendered*her resignation from the committee.—Accepted: ■ '■■' -''•"•.•'•'•'-">■ '-■'-'■■ -^j-- u-v" Accounts amounting to £49 9s 5d were passed for payment. • ' " It was decided, subject to the approval of the Finance Committee, to instal a-hot water system at the James Powell Convalescent Home. i? Agent's Report i. The society's agent (Mr A Steven) submitted the following report on the society's activities during the month:- 1 !- -.' Prison Work.—Besides the regular visits to the* prison the society kept in touch with th'ose being discharged and was able to assist in the matter of board and also in finding employment. Assistance was also given to dependents. Sunday morning church services for the prisoners were conducted during the month. Seacliff Mental Hospital.—Patients at Seacliff, the Orokonui Home, Waitati, and also those at Cherry Farm and the Neuropathic Home, were visited and a personal interest was taken in their welfare. Arrangements were made for the discharge of two recovered male patients. Both were sent to the Canterbury district. The society has several on probation and all are making good progress. On the evening of Saturday, May 13, the Royal Dunedin Male Choir, with assisting performers, gave a concert for the patients in the hall at the hospital. Sunday church services were conducted at Orokonui'Home arid Seacliff. Litera* lure was supplied to all the institutions visited. .; Wakari Hospital and ; Pleasant Valley Sanatorium.—The*, usual visits weite made to the, patients being cared for in these two places. Many of the patients have been busy during May making articles for display, and a sale at.a;.stall, which the .society has been able to arrangfcat the Dunedin Winter Show. In the patients i'n this work, the society is co-operating with the doctors in the* treatment of the patients. It is what is now known as occupational treatment. Dunedin Hospital.—Monday and Friday afternoons during the month were spent visiting the various wards and ?lving assistance where it was needed. Jonvalescent treatment was arranged for one of the male patients, and from the female wards 11 patients' were transferred to the society's convalescent home at Warrington. Every Sunday evening two choirs were in attendance, and conducted song services in all the wards. The following choirs assisted in May:—Dundas Street Methodist, Trinity Methodist, NorthEast Valley Baptist, United Congregational, Moray Place Congregational, Hanover Street Baptist, and choirs conducted by Mr S. Lawn and Mr '?W. Ik Logie. James'Powell Convalescent Home.— During s the month 18 patients were admitted to the home, and all made good progress. The society acknowledges the following gifts:—Case of household soap from Messrs McLeod Bros., a case of pears from Mr McLaren, and magazines from the Dunedin Central W.C.T/U. •The" report was adopted. * ! ii