SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION

Southland Times, Issue 23650, 27 October 1938, Page 12

SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION

WORK FOR AGED AND INFIRM APPOINTMENT OF CHAPLAIN SUGGESTED The need for greater attention to be given to visiting the aged and infirm patients in the Invercargill infirmary was emphasized by the chairman (the Rev. W. J. Robertson) at the annual meeting last evening of the Presbyterian Social Service Association. Hitherto, he said, the association had not been able to afford the measure of attention required by this important work, but it was hoped that all supporters would give assistance to provide for a chaplain who could be on call at any time. The suggestion was strongly supported by other speakers. There was a big attendance at the meeting. . , A bright concert programme given by children from the Cameron Home and the Allison Home was a feature of the evening. The young performers showed considerable skill in both song and dance numbers. Perhaps the most popular items were those given by the Allison Home boys’ Maori _ party and the May Pole dance and national dancing numbers of the Cameron Home girls. A vote of thanks to the children, to the superintendent of the homes (Mr John Watt) and his staff and to Madame Thorne was carried by acclamation. The chairman said he was pleased to see such a big attendance. It had been decided to hold a concert programme in conjunction, with the annual meeting and he was sure that all would agree that the innovation had been a success. From the performances given by the children could be seen the splendid material upon which they had to work. The children were bright, intelligent, healthy and happy—a tribute in itself to the work of the association and its staff. -■ The following retiring members were reappointed: Presbytery of Southland appointees, the Revs W. J. Robertson and R. Dun and Mr J. S. Baxter; Presbytery of Mataura appointee, the Rev. G. D. Falconer; association appointees, the Revs E. Gardiner, J. H. Thomson and T. A. Speer and Mr D. McFadzien. Messrs R C. Boyd and A. M. Weir were elected to fill vacancies. The full committees are now as follows:—General committee: The Rev. W. J. Robertson (chairman), and the Revs G. D. Falconer, J. A. Thomson, E. Gardiner, J. H. Thomson, R. Dun, T. A. Speer, C. A. Kennedy, and Messrs W. F. Bisset, W. H, Boyes, J. S. Baxter, W. A. Dickie, W. Farnie, James Holland, W. A. McCaw, D. Macpherson, D. McFadzien, T. W. Richards, C. A. Stewart, A. Scott, A. 'W. Taylor, C. Bradfield, A. M. Weir, R. C. Boyd; executive committee: The Revs W. J. Robertson and G. D. Falconer and and Messrs W. F. Bisset, J. S. Baxter, W. H. Boyes, W. Farnie, James Holland, D. Macpherson, D. McFadzien, C. A. Stewart and A. W. Taylor; hon. medical staff: Dr David Jennings for Allison Home and Dr Harold R. Gibson for Cameron Home. Miss E. S. Hackworth was re-elected auditor. Films showing the work in children s homes in Southland and in Wellington were shown after the annual meeting.