CHRISTMAS IN HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1923, Page 6

CHRISTMAS IN HOSPITAL.

ENTERTAINING PATIENTS. MOTOR DRIVE AND A CONCERT. BUSINESS MEN AS SANTA CLAUS. In the round of Christmas festivities this year the patients in the New Plymouth hospital and the old people in the Rangiatea Home have not been forgotten. The Taranaki Chamber of Commerce has not only given Santa Claus an open order to fill the stockings of the children in the hospital, but on Saturday arranged a motor excursion into the country, tea at Pukekura, Park, and a concert and supper at night for those who are beyond the toy stage. This morning a party arranged by Mrs. C. H. Burgess will visit the hospital and entertain the children. The motor run on Saturday afternoon was most enjoyable. The appeal of the president of the chamber (Mr. P. E. Stainton) asking members to place their cars at the chamber's disposal for the outing met with a generous response, more than the actual number required assembling at the starting point. All made the run and there was plenty of room for the guests, three cars being despatched to Rangiatea to pick up the aged, and the remainder taking patients and nurses from the hospital. The route followed was through Westown, back to town along the Frankley Road, thence to Egmont Village arid the Egmont Road to Pukekura Park. Afternoon tea was ready, and a delightful half hour was spent by the lake-side. “I hardly know how to convey to you the thanks of the patients, the old people, the staff and the board for what you have done,” said Mr. Fraser (chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board) to the members of the chamber before the homeward run was commenced. It was hard for anyone to realise what it meant to the patients and those whom old age had overtaken to have had such an enjoyable break from the usual routine. "That you should sacrifice your own holiday for us is something I find it difficult to thank you for,” Mr. Fraser added. “Your generous action has set an example to all.”

“All I can say is that we appreciate your acceptance of our invitation,” Mr. Stainton said in acknowledging the cheers which were given for the chamber. “We have tried to show in just a little way that we appreciate all that the old people have done for us, and what the matron and the staff of the hospital are doing for those who cannot spend this Christmas at home. We are pleased if we have cheered up the patients a little, and we wish them a very speedy return to health.” At night the wards of the hospital presented a very pretty picture with their gay Christmas decorations. The concert was held in Ward 4, to ’"hich the patients from the other wards were brought in their beds. The blue and gold streamers of paper, coloured balloons and shades over the lights softened the outlines of the ward. The programme was arranged by Mr. A. B. Macdonald, and comprised items by Misses Harper and N. Morey, the Melody Four (Messrs. A. B. Macdonald, B. P. Bellringer, W. P. Okey and F. A. Holder/, R. B. Macdonald, N. H. Papakakura and W. Holder. Demands for encores were continually made, while a lot of fun was obtained from popular choruses led by Mr. Holder. Mr. Harold Morey was the accompanist. Supper was handed round by the hosts and the nurses. The thanks of the patients and staff for a very enjoyable evening were conveyed by Mr. E. Holder (general manager to the Hospital Board). After the concert this morning and the filling of the children's stockings tonight any further celebrations of the season will be those arranged by the staff and the patients. The Hospital Board, as in past years, has arranged for additions to the menus and for, gifts of tobacco, etc., to the old people, but the matron of the hospital told a Daily New- reporter that she would be glad to receive gifts of fruit and sweets for the hospital.