RADIO SETS FOR INFIRMARY

Southland Times, Issue 23331, 15 October 1937, Page 5

RADIO SETS FOR INFIRMARY

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY GRATITUDE EXPRESSED BY INMATES The result of two months of effort by voluntary workers, the radio sets which have been purchased for the Invercargill infirmary in Dee street were officially turned on last evening. The ceremony was broadcast from station 4ZP, the principal speakers being members of the Infirmary Radio Appeal Fund Committee and Mr James Robertson, an inmate of the infirmary. A message was also read from the chairman of the Southland Hospital Board (Mr T. Golden). The sets at the infirmary were turned on by representatives of the boy scout movement in Invercargill, which took a prominent part in raising funds for the project. Seven radio sets have been installed and there are loud speakers in wards, smoking rooms and sitting rooms. A set has also been installed in the nurses’ home. A 60-foot mast, equipped with eight aerials has been erected in the infirmary grounds. The sets, which were supplied by Calder, Mackay Co., Ltd., are all of the most modern type. The installation work was carried out by Mr A. E. Jordan. The members of the Radio Appeal Committee, representatives of the boy scout movement, Mr Jordan and others who had taken part in the installation work, were the guests of the matron (Miss C. M. Fitzgibbon) at supper after the official opening ceremony. They were taken on a tour of inspection of the infirmary and the renovations which have been made were praised. OFFICIAL OPENING The official opening ceremony was performed by Mr D. J. Wesney, chairman of the Radio Appeal Committee, who, speaking from 4ZP, asked District Scout Master Wallace and the representatives of the boy scout movement in Invercargill to turn on the sets at the infirmary. Mr Wesney traced the history of the movement to instal radios in the infirmary. “Some little time ago,” he said, “the thought occurred in the minds of a few public-spirited citizens as to how the lives of some 100 patients in the Dee street infirmary could be brightened, and as a result, a personal appeal was made to the citizens and residents of Invercargill and Southland generally to give the patients radio facilities. It was realized that most of them were in the eventide of life and many had not had the pleasure of hearing a. radio programme, and that the installation of radio sets might replace the,, dullness and weariness of long hours.” Mr Wesney thanked those' who assisted in the appeal. The honorary treasurer of the committee, Mr G. E. T. Dorman, said he had pleasure in stating that the. total amount received, including the gift of a wireless set, was £303 7/11. After paying postages, stationery and printing amounting to £2l 13/3 and the cost of and installation of eight sixvalve radio dual wave receivers together with seven extra speakers each in a fretwork mantel case, all necessary wiring switches, transformers and aerials there would be a balance in the trust fund of approximately £B5, which it was estimated would be sufficient to supply valve replacements and maintain the equipment in working order for at least six years. This was a very satisfactoiy position. APPRECIATION OF INMATES Speaking on behalf of the inmates, Mr James Robertson said he wished to thank the public of Southland for making it possible to install wireless in the building. “Our inestimable matron and her staff have been working like Trojans to make things easy for us in the evening of our days,” he added. “They have accomplished much, and for this we are deeply grateful. Again I thank the public and the Radio Infirmary Committee for their action in giving us the benefits of radio entertainment.” The radio sets would _ stand as a monument to the generosity of the residents of the district, stated a message read from Mr Golden. On behalf of the board he thanked the Radio Committee for the efforts it had made to secure the equipment. Mr Golden also expressed the thanks of the board to the public of Invercargill for the support it had given the movement, to the boy scouts who had made a house to house appeal for donations, to all other voluntary workers and to the Press of Invercargill for the valuable publicity it had given. “The board sincerely hopes,” the message added, “that the inmates will find the radio programmes enjoyable and instructive.”