PATIENTS' AND PRISONERS’ AID.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 77

PATIENTS' AND PRISONERS’ AID.

MEETING OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE. A meeting of the General Committee of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society was held in the Returned Soldiers’ Association rooms on Tuesday afternoon. Mr E. A. Rofsevear (vice-president) occupied the chair, and there were also present Mesdames J. Dey, George Roberts, and J. B. Callan, Messrs G. L. Denniston, David Todd, R. Gilkieon, J. Loudon, W. Easton, E. R. Smith, F. W. Mitchell, and J. Taylor.

Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P., who is proceeding on a trip to England, was granted six months leave of absence. The report of the agent (Mr F. G. Cumming) real as follows: “The work for the past month has been fairly heavy. The office has had many callers,some in need of assistance, others after employment and advice. I regret to say that employment is not easily found, especially placing those who are not strong and who have been discharged from a mental hospital. I shall be glad to hear from any person who can help me in the matter of finding employment for these people. The general visitation at the institutions has been carried out and such small gifts as funds will allow have been given and gratefully received. I may add that my visitation is very thorough and that I am well received at each institution. The patients from the hospital going to Warrington have to be seen and complete arrangements made for their discharge and their entry into Warrington. This takes up a good deal of time and frequently when the very best arrangements have been made the patient cannot go until a later date. I may report, and do so with pleasure, that the home is doing excellent work in bringing back sick women and children to complete health through the holiday and the attention given during their brief stay in that institution. The grounds are now in a very much improved condition. Mr Clark, who has just been appointed, has cleaned things up very satisfactorily indeed. The following table will show the number in residence at the Warrington home on the dates given: —February 6,7; February 13, 4; February 20, 4; February 27. 8; March 5, 8. The amount received for personal payments since the beginning of the year is £4l 10s.” —The report was adopted. Ihe Treasurer (Mr Todd) in presenting the Finance Committee’s report, said that the committee had advertised for the position of a collector. It had received quite a number of applications, and it had decided to appoint Mr J. Stuart Robertson, to the position. Mr Robertson would commence his duties right away. The Hospital Committee's report stated, inter alia, that the Dunedin Pipe Band had visited the Seacliff Mental Hospital and had played at the institution. It had also plaved at the Warrington convalescent home. The band had made the visit at its own expense. An excellent entertainment i had also been given at the Waitati Hospital by Mr Bcath’s band.—lt was decided to forward the thanks of the committee to those providing the entertainments. The Chairman said that the annual meeting of the society would be held in the Town Hall on April 2, and that Sir William Sim would preside.