PUBLIC INSTITUTEONS AT CHRISTMAS. DUNEDIN HOSPITAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2651, 4 January 1905, Page 61

PUBLIC INSTITUTEONS AT CHRISTMAS. DUNEDIN HOSPITAL.

■ Ghrtstmas .Day at fhe" Hospital wae observed in-- the -usual- manner in- respect to a. (Dhristmoki dinner, though, ihe usual staff dinner -was -not'- held -'for -several reasons, chief among which was the fact .that the day was a Sunday, aßd that the senior -house surgeon and the secretory (Mr Burns) were absent, .the latter owing to ill-health. At Sunday'-a .function the Hospital trustees were represented by Mr P. Miller (chairman) and Mr T. "Mackenzie, M.H.R., Dr ©olquhoun representing the .honorary medical staff. In the afternoon an unusually large number of persons availed themselves of the privilege of visiting 'the institution. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. Christmas at the Caversham Industrial School is an event in the lives of the children there, and no -effort was spared by the manager and staff of the «chool to make the occasion a happy one. The large dining halU had been tastefully decorated by the matron (Miss Bannernmn) and a staff of girls. Soon after 1 o'clock the bugle call for dinner sounded, -and a long .procession of boys and girls marched mto their respective places, and' the ( spectacle of a great crowd; of happy ( and healthy-looking faces around! the numerous tables was something worth seeing, and afforded testimony to the. efficient, management of. the institution. The children were provided with a . first-class Christmas dinner, and, needless to -say, they '■ did justice to the good .fare. Prior to grace being said, the .manager (Mr G. M. Burlinson) ma\de a few remarks appropriate to theoccasion, and expressed thanks to -the kind friends who had assisted 1 in giving the ohildren a Christmas -treat. "The usual } church parade took place, the Ohuroh of England children -marching 'to Sk Peter's, accompanied by the School Band. In the afternoon the Rev. Mr Soorgie assisted the teachers of the undenominational Sunday school at a special service, and the Rev. F. Tubman (of St. Matthew's) and other workers conducted services 'for the Church of England children.

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. The inmates of the Benevolent Institution were treated to' their usual sumptuous Christmas dinner — males to the number of 150 and females numbering 50 being accommodated in the dining rooms. Both rooms were tastefully decorated, and the various wards throughout the buildings were also made to look as bright and cheerful as possible. The sick in the hospital and other wards who were unable to be present in the main dining rooms were well attended to. Donations of barrels of beer were received from Messi-3 Speight, Joel, M 'Gavin, and Strachan, and some fruit was received from Mr Greenslade. Dr Closs. medical officer, visited the institution, and three religious services were held during the day. The garden and grounds are neatly kept, and present a bright and oheerful appearance at present. There are 260 inmates at present in the institution. TEA FOR SEAMEN. ' The annual tea - for sailors in ' port was given by the workers and friends of the Dunedin Sailors' Rest at the Gospel Hall, Moray place. Owing to the scarcity of ships in . port and the regatta at Port Chalmers there- was not a great, number of sailors present, but friends and ; sympathisers were there in large numbers, and all, alike spent a. pleasant and profitable evening. The hall was nicely decorated with flags and ferns, and the tables were laden- ' with good -things." The following ladies pre- * sided .over the different tables: — Mesdames Don, Broadbent, Axelsen,.Gow, Cook, Lee, Bergquisf, Campbell, Bain, and Porteous, and Misses Pearson, Hercus, Simpson, JTindlay, Mirams, Broadbent, and G. Broadbent. After full jxistice had been done -to the eatables a bright Gospel meeting was held, Mr W. M*Kenzie, Acting-seamen's Missionary, presiding. Nearly two hours were ; spent in speech und song. Short addresses i were given by Miss Jeffreys, returned missionary from India ; .the Rev. Mr Kilpatrick, of Green Island ; Mr C. Wilson, missionary (lately back on furlough from South America, who made interesting references to his work there) ; Messrs Neville, Ings, Driver, Falconer,. Todo", and Captain .j Bergquist. Several of the speakers made mention of ihe able way in which Mr M'Kenzie had filled the position of missionary to the seamen during the absence of Mr A. R. Falconer in the Homeland, and praised the good wofk accomplished during the past year. Mr^M'Kenzie, in bringing the meeting :to a, close, thanEed the many frionds who had -supported him during the j year, and related -some instances bringing - 1 out the valuable work accomplished at the : Sailors' -Rest. Mr JHeycock, -in ,the closing .prayer, made reference to the return of Mr Falconer, who is now on his voyage home. '