GIFT TO PATIENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21096, 24 April 1940, Page 6

GIFT TO PATIENTS

ELABORATE WIRELESS SUNSHINE LEAGUE S WORK HOSPITAL’S GRATITUDE With the Hamilton Sunshine League’s gift of an elaborate wireless set for the benefit of patients in the Waikato Hospital as complete as it is possible to make it at present, the league officially handed the equipment over to the hospital authorities at a unique function at the hospital last night. Over 150 beds in various parts of the hospital are connected with the set, but at least another 100 headphones are required. During the ceremony an appeal for any old headphones, in view of the difficulty in securing the new ones originally planned, was made by several speakers so that more patients could enjoy the benefits of the installation. The equipment, which with the price of installation has cost the Sunshine League over £9OO to date, is most elaborate, and should serve the need of the hospital for many years, if extra head-phones are equipped. Last night’s function marked the culmination of three years’ work on the part of the Sunshine League. It was over three years ago when the scheme was first mooted, but great difficulty was experienced in securing the necessary money to form the nucleus of a sufficiently strong fund. Then came the announcement that Lord Nuffield had given another large donation to be distributed among all the towns in New Zealand. Hamilton’s share of about £3OO was allocated by Mr J. R. Fow, the then Mayor, to the Sunshine League for the wireless fund. Five and a-half Miles of Wire Realising that the wireless would be of benefit to patients from the whole of the Waikato Hospital Board’s area and that it was unfair for the people of Hamilton to contribute the total fund as well as provide most of the other comforts, the appeal for funds was made over a wide area, and a satisfactory response was received. The local firm of G. Anchor and Son secured the contract for the making and installation of the set, and this has been completed. During this work five and a-half miles of wiring was necessary, the installation costs, including labour, being greater than the cost of the equipment. With Mr R. Dixon as technical adviser, the set has been made so that two programmes can be received at the same time, thus enabling patients to have a choice. Headphones are provided in the pillows of the beds connected with the set, and one of the big advantages of the system is that a patient in one bed may listen all day without disturbing the patient in the next bed. There is a plug alongside each bed so that patients may tune in to programmes at will. The equipment also comprises a centralised amplifier and an electric gramophone. Addresses can be given from any point in the hospital to all the patients, while by automatic control half-an-hour’s gramophone music can be given without the set requiring attention. Last night’s function, at which the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, presided, was broadcast to all the patients. Tribute To Donors

The president of the Hamilton Sunshine League, Mr A. L. Fow, in handing over the equipment to the chairman of the Waikato Hospital Board, said that although the equipment was not as complete as it was hoped, with the war intervening the League thought that the present set should be handed over, and it could be added to when possible. There were 28 valves in the set, this making it powerful enough to add many more earphones as the hospital grew larger without affecting reception. He paid a tribute to all who had made the project possible. Mr Caro thanked the league on behalf of the citizens of Hamilton for the useful gift, and Mr E. G. Scrimshaw expressed the thanks of the returned soldiers. He said the added comfort and enjoyment would be appreciated especially by the returned men.

In accepting the gift Mr F. Findlay, chairman of the board, also paid a tribute to all who had made the construction and installation of the equipment possible, and added that it would pass many a pleasant hour for the patients. Mr Findlay added that chiefly as the result of the generosity of Mr F. W. Burley, w*ho had recently donated a cheque of £25 to the board, he had been able to secure another 20 headphones. Mr J. R. Fow reviewed the history of the negotiations and the secretary of the league, Mr R. W. Kemp, also paid a tribute to the help received from various organisations. “Assistance For Patients” “The members of my organisation count it a privilege to be able to take a small part in making this gift possible,” said Mrs J. Ward Chapman, president of the Waikato Federation of Women’s Institutes. “Anything that we can do to alleviate the pain and suffering of those less fortunate than ourselves, and to assist those w«?rfien who devote their lives to the noblest of all professions, nursing we will do willingly and cheerfully. We thank the league for the opportunity given us to assist.” The medical superintendent, Dr. H. L. Gould, expressed the thanks of the staff and patients for the gift, and those present then inspected the equipment.