HELPING THE MOTHERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23940, 16 October 1939, Page 4

HELPING THE MOTHERS

WORK OF CHILDREN’S REST HOME MEW BRANCH OPENED A new branch of the work of the Children’s Rest Home was inaugurated on Saturday afternoon when the Hill Jack Memorial Home was opened for use as a convalescent institution for mothers after leaving a nursing home. Although the building has been erected for about six years, it has not filled such a useful purpose as its present one and the new activity has earned the approval of doctors and mothers alike. The home, which provides accommodation for six or seven mothers and their babies, is tastefully and attractively furnished. Mr F. W. Knight, chairman of the Rest Home Committee, presided at the opening ceremony and briefly referred to the generosity of the Hill Jack family in making possible the work of the home to be carried on so effectively. He also expressed appreciation of the assistance given by the Minister of Health (Mr P. Fraser) and of the Health Department in Dunedin. He called upon the Rev. Mr Morland to open the proceedings with a prayer and Dr W. H. Borrie to open the new home. Dr Borrie said that as a honorary ohysician to the Children’s Rest Home he had followed with great interest its growth. He traced briefly its history since the idea was first conceived by Mr S. Dunkley 21 years ago. He paid a tribute to the work done by Mr Dunkley and his staff in assisting the mothers of Dunedin, when they had to go to hospital, by taking care of their children. It would be an infinite gain to mothers, he added, to have a fortnight's rest after leaving a nursing home, and it was for this purpose that the building had been cipnverted. He referred to the untiring work of Mr Dunkley. to whom most ol the credit for the home was due. Dr Borrie then formally declared the new department open. On behalf of the Department of Health, Dr T. McKibbin, medical officer for Otago and Southland, expressed appreciation of the work that was being done. He referred to the plight of mothers returning from a nursing home to take over the task straightaway of looking after a family The rearing of families was important to the country, and everything, he said, should be done to help the mothers. The new home that was being opened that day should be a great boon to mothers in providing that extra fortnight of beneficial rest. , Mr S. Dunkley, manager of the home, expressed appreciation of the help given him in his work. He referred to the great service rendered by Dr Borrie as honorary doctor and to me good work done by the matrons, including the present matron In /I years the home had never refused to take in a child, and even if its beds were full it boarded out children with various people in the city. He _ expressed appreciation of the help given by these “foster mothers. Dr D, G. McMillan, M.P., also expressed appreciation of the work being done by the home. Mr Knight then declared open a cot that had been given anonymously and also presented the first mother to enter the home with a small gift for her baby.