CHRISTMAS DAY AT ST. HELEN'S HOSPITAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 10

CHRISTMAS DAY AT ST. HELEN'S HOSPITAL.

By a Patient.

Our Christmas Day at St. Helens was one much enjoyed and long to bo remembered by us patients. Early morning tea over and all the wards gay with flowers, we wore suddenly surprised and delighted to hoar carols in the distance and gradually approaching nearer and nearer until the ward door opened and matron and sister appeared, followed by their bright band of nurses. Through the wards and corridors they marched, this little band, unassisted by instruments or outside talent, until, one by one, all took up the strains and the whole hospital was ringing with the glad old Christmas tidings. Presently the staff -stopped in the big ward, laden with tra.ys jingling with Christmas gifts for mothers and babes. Each babe received its first Christmas toy (even a wee stranger who appeared on Christmas Eve and was promptly named Noel) and a bright, new r penny gaily decorated with ribbons to .start its banking account. Tho senior nurse then introduced the humorous element by carrying round a “pond,” into which each fished with a button-hook, the “ catches ” causing groat merriment and laughter as the scales enveloping the “catch” were removed, displaying musical tortures, so dear to the heart of young —and old—at Christmas time. Hymns were sung at intervals during the forenoon, until dinner was announced. All the patients wore gathered in the big ward, where the ■ tables, beautifully decorated with holly and white flowers, fairly creaked with, good things. Much merriment was caused by the cook’s decoration of the Christmas pudding, which was surrounded by a gollywog man, shaking and bubbling over with laughter, surrounded as he was by the usual red-berried holly. Dinner over, the ward was thrown open to tine patients’ nearest and dearest, and many of their friends and relatives availed themselves of the opportunity, the wards presenting a most festive appearance. Tho tea-table also overflowed with good things, and we much appreciated the beautiful Christmas cake winch had been presented “to the inmates with all good wishes.” In the evening our visitors were again admitted, and we were unanimous in our expressions of appreciation c f the kindness and consideration of matron and the staff not for, getting the cook, who had helped so much—in giving us such a pleasant day and such a truly happy Christmas time. '