SUNSHINE LEAGUE

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1778, 3 July 1926, Page 5

SUNSHINE LEAGUE

PROPOSED LEAGUE IN TE AWAMUTU.

DISAPPOINTING ATTENDANCE AT

MEETING.

The meeting convened by the Mayoress (Mrs L. G. Armstrong) for the purpose of forming a Sunshine League I whs not well attended on Thursday '.evening, there being only about a dozen townsfolk present. The visitors included a delegation from Ham|,li.(On, including Mr A. L. Yule (president of the Hamilton League), Mr H. H. Bowden, Mr Hutchinson (sectary), Mrs Scott and others, whilq Dr McPherson, of Tokanui Hospital, also attended. The Mayor apologised for the sparse /attendance, but counselled going i ahead, for he felt sure that the worthiness of the chuse would soon enlist the active support of many people in and around the town. He welcomed the visitors, and then apologised for the absence of Mesdames W. Blacky (Paterangi). Robson, Butterworth and Mandeno—all sympathisers with the objects of the League. Mr Yule, called upon to set out the aims and objects of the 'League, said it had been thought desirable that Te Awamutu should form an organisation quite distinct from the League at Hamilton, but with identical objects. The Sunshine League came into being about four years ago, and from a small beginning it had grown in usefulness until now a cessation of its activities would be regarded as a calamity. The League's helpers and Avorkers had regularly visited the Waikato 'Hospital, 'usually on Wednesdays and Sundays, and tendered as-. ' sistance to patients of the institution, taking them flowers and literature, Avriting letters for any that so desired, and at times assisting financially those patients who, Avhen discharged. Avere without- the Avherewithal to pay their fares home. The sewing committee had made several hundreds of garments for use by patients. Again, there was a volunteer motor department, which arranged for cars to take convalescent patients out in the open air, or to entertainments such as theatres, football matches, etc. Then there was a children’s aid department, that had done splendid work in concentrating on the entertainment of juvenile patients. The musical committee had also arranged many very fine concerts and other entertaiw- ■ ments at the hospital. This had proved very popular and successful. One of the 'latest innovations was the provision of a motion picture machine and apparatus, and entertainments of this nature would be developed. In this connection Mr Yule mentioned that he was confident that if a League is formed in Te Awamutu for work at Tokanui'the Hamilton League would lend its motion picture machine from time to time. Another organisation doing good work was the literature department. Avhich supplied hospital patients with reading matter. The library is gradually being developed by donations of books, etc., the Hamilton being particularly valuable helpers. The floral committee concentrated on supplying bl,ooms to. the hospital* regularly and thus brightening the surroundings of the institution and stimulating the patients.

Concluding. Mr Yale said the lady members of the Hamilton League were the mainstay of the movement, and they were loyally supported by the men. The League had proved its real worth and had well merited its inauguration. Mfs 'Scott dealt more particularly with the work of the visiting committee. stating that the objects of the committee was to assist patients with their correspondence, cheering them up with chats and advice, encouraging those having to face the ordeal of an operation, and generally assisting. She thought the formation of a league in Te Awamutu was very commendable, for it could do a great deal of good. She said the ladies’) committee at Hamilton would be very glad if anyone interested' in the work would accompany the ladies’ committee delegation when visiting the hospital. Thus they would obtain a far better insight into the work than by mere words. Dr McPherson, deputy-superintend-ent at Tokanui Mental Hospital, said he was warmly in favour of the establishment of the League, if its energies would be directed towards Tokanui. Pie was confident his senior officer there, Dr Beattie, would also approve and assist. However, conditions at Tokanui were, of course, different to those obtaining at an ordinary hospital. There were some cases at a mental hosptial who could not be ministered to by visitors, but happily these were in a minority. The others could be benefited by the visits occasionally of members of such an organisation as the Sunshine League. There were some patients at Tokanui who unhappily looked upon officers of the institution as their, natural enemies, who iliad incarcerated them. That view was, of course, not universal, and there were many who were normally rational most of the time., These people would benefit by little attentions by discreet helpers from outside. At this stage Dr McPherson paid a glowing tribute to" the help rendered by Mr C. F. Battson and members of the concert parties he had organised from time to time. Those entertainments were very helpful and were always looked forward to. /The speaker, continuing, commended some departments of the Hamilton J ague’s activities, enumerating the lunteer motor service, the book ib. the musical department, and the motion picture scheme. Those four particularly commended themselves as suitable for a mental hospital such as Tokanui. He sincerely hoped a league would be formed in Te Awamutu, and that it would receive the public support that its worthiness deserved. Help such a.s the League gave was always welcome, more particularly when it was organised by such a league. He went on to refer specifically to instances of practical help. Referring to the book club, he mentioned that magazines were in most favour as reading material for the patients. Re the motoring trips, he said that frequently patients weje allowed to bet taken away for a whole day. They were thoroughly reliable and trustworthy, and undoubtedly be-

nefited by the outings. The officials at Tokanui Avere hopeful that the Department would sooner or later provide Tokanui Avith a motion picture machine. He would like to see some move made to organise a method of providing Christmas cheer for the patients. /People could have no conception of the wistfulness of those inmates Avho at the festive season received no letters or other remembrances from outside. It was really pathetic, and he hoped something Avould be dona by the people’s goodwill to lessen it.

Mr Yule then gave a brief outline of the project for establishing Sunshine Leagues in the four chief centres. In Auckland a league had! lately been formed, the Rotary Club having launched the enterprise and given it very valuable backing. That League’s first activities would be concentrated on the Mental Hospital at Avondale. The League had only just started, but he predicted for it quite as such success as the Hamilton Sunshine League had achieved.

The Mayor, after conferring with Dr McPherson, expressed himself as in favour of those present organising another meeting of townsfolk. They Avould doubtless meantime have obtained a greater knoAVledge of the League’s Avork. and thus their goodwill Avould have been gained. This would at once ensure success, Avhereas if it were decided 1 now to go ahead the venture- may struggle on Avith restricted prospects of success.

Mr Battson regretted that the advertisement convening the meeting had not been more explicit. He kneAV several who understood the meeting was for ladies only. Mrs Scott, answering a questioner, said the Hamilton League’s regular workers comprised sixty ladies, with several helpers. But not all of them, of course, visit the hospital. These sixty do -seAving, and only six or eight regularly visit the hospital.

Mr Yale said Dr McPherson had made it clear that a sewing guild would not be necessary - for Tokanui. It was in the other branches of the League’s activities Avhere so much good would be done. He suggested that a league of a dozen active workers, with an auxiliary, would be sufficient.

Dr BlcPherson concurred, and hoped that the League would be established Avith a strong, but not necessarily numerous, band of executive members. By their help much good could be done. Their success Avould soon Avin adherents.

Mr Battson was asked if he Avould undertake to organise another meeting, but he demurred, going on to outline his experiences Avith concert parties at both Tokanui and Waikeria. This work occupied a good deal of iime, though he had invariably met Avith generous offers of help in transporting entertainers. He then appealed for the help of Hamilton folk in augmenting his list of concert entertainers.

Mr Yule said Hamilton Avas faced Avith the same difficulty. That Avas in' part Avhy the provision of a motion picture apparatus wa s looked to with such favour. However, he hoped to be able to comply with the invitation to send musical talent. Dr McPherson said he av t us conconvinced that if a dozen Te AAvamutu ladies Avould make up their minds to make a united start, success wotild be assured.

Mr Yule gave some details of the formation of the Sunshine League in Hamilton. It was at the instance of the medical superintendent that the League was started, with half a dozen men as members. They had been led by Mr Grocott, and their first intebtion Avas to render service inconspicuously, but they very soon found the Avork growing to such an extent that they were compelled to come out in public and enlist the Avorlc of others. Mrs Owsley mentioned the splendid Avork rendered by the ladies of Paterangi, and their children, for the Hamilton League.

In response to a unanimous request Mrs W. H. Wood undertook to try and arrange for a dozen ladies to make a start as Sunshine Leaguers. (Aptplaus e). ' The Mayor thanked the visitors for their informative address and for coming to Te AAvamutu to set the hall rolling.