PATIENTS AND PRISONERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23930, 4 October 1939, Page 13

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS

SOCIETY'S MONTHLY MEETING The" monthly meeting of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society was held yesterday, Mr W. Downie Stewart presiding. There were also present Mrs K. L. Cook, Messrs J. Taylor. D. Tannock. H. North, and H Renfree ' Finance The financial statement proved satisfactory, and accounts amounting to £153 8s were passed for payment. A letter was received from the Perpetual Trustees advising that under the will of the late Mrs Jean Kllgour the society was entitled to one-third of the residue of her estate, to be used for' the purposes of the Convalescent Home at Warrington. The Perpetual Trustees also advised that one-eleventh share of the estate of the late Mr William Rendall was due to the society. Agent's Reports The agent (Mr A. Steven) reported as follows: We kept in touch with all incarcerated In the local gaol, and on their discharge sought to help by placing them in work. Our. efforts were not in vain, and we feel grateful to those who assist us in the rehabilitation of these men who have fallen by the way. Assistance to discharged prisoners was also .given in other directions, and their dependents were not overlooked Sunday morning church services were held. A friendly interest was taken in the patients both at Seacliff and Waitati and also those at the Neuropathic, Purakanui, and at Cherry Farm, Merton, were also visited and a supply of literature was left at all these places. We receive numerous requests from those seeking discharge, and we have to go carefully into each case, and we always receive every assistance from the medical staff and find a willingness on its part to give likely patients a chance. One young man was released to us on probation this month and was placed in farm work. Another patient who has been on probation with us for 18 months has now received his discharge. The Sunday church services were conducted at Seacliff and Orokonul Home. The Rev. John Chisholm, the local Presbyterian minister, conducted one of the services at Seacliff. At Wakari Hospital and Pleasant Valley Sanatorium all the patients were visited during the month and some were taken for an outing in the society's car. Steady progress has been made by many of the patients, and a number at Pleasant Valley are being discharged. The Coronation Concert Party gave a variety concert on September 2 at Pleasant Valley, which Was greatly appreciated. The patients are beginning to get busy again making saleable articles for the garden party which we hope to hold at Wakari in November. A supply of literature was left on the occasion of our visits. At Dunedin Hospital visiting was done on two afternoons each week, and assistance was rendered in various directions. Convalescent treatment was arranged for one of the male patients and from the female wards eight patients were transferred to our Convalescent Home at Warrington. Two choirs were in attendance every Sunday evening and gave bright song services in all the wards. The following choirs assisted last month: United Congregational, Moray Place Congregational, Hanover Street Baptist, Dundas Street Methodist, Trinity Methodist, and Mr Logie's, Mr Lawn's, and Miss Barron's choirs. At the James Powell Convalescent Home 14 patients were admitted in September and all made good recoveries. Our matron, Miss James, took her holiday leave from September 14, and her place has been taken by Sister Dale, who took holiday duty most satisfactorily on a previous occasion.