St. Helens Hospital, Dunedin

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XII, Issue 4, 1 October 1919, Page 166

St. Helens Hospital, Dunedin

Dear Miss Maclean, — The peace and victory celebrations are over, but if it is not too late, may I send you an account of a " Thanksgiving Tea " given during Peace week, at St. Helens Hospital, by our Dr. Siedeberg, to the patients, and to all St. Helens Nurses. We had many impressive services and joyful thanksgivings m Dunedin ; but the little service held by Doctor upstairs m the big ward seemed, I think, to all of us, a more personal giving of thanks for Peace. After singing a hymn, the Psalms and Collects for the day were read, with a special Collect of thanks for Peace, then the Lord's Prayer and the National Anthem. It was a beautiful thought of Doctor's to have this service, for though m the midst of peace celebrations there are so many disrupting influences at work, that it is good for us to recognise God and to pray for ultimate peace. After the service, tea was served to the patients , and a plentiful supply of dainty cakes and sweets. The large " Peace Cake " had a flag on it m red, white and blue icing, and was decorated with flags

which were distributed to the patients. Matron and Nurses had decorated the ward very beautifully indeed, Belgian, and French colours predominating. The Nurses' tea was served m Matron's sitting-room, also very tastefully decorated — indeed no trouble had been spared, and some very clever fingers had been busy with colours and evergreens. Here there was another large ''Peace Cake" with icing of red, white and blue, and a variety of small cakes, sandwiches and sweets —a real thanksgiving tea which all enjoyed. The final came when Doctor's car was inspected and admired. It was worthy of admiration, being decked gaily with flags, and fastened m front was a big kewpie at salute. We had all taken part m the jubilations m the city, but this little gathering together at Doctor's invitation, m our own Hospital, was a very enjoyable thanksgiving for peace. I have ventured to send this, thinking that St. Helens Nurses of Dunedin might be glad to read it. Believe me, yours truly, L. Brew

*' Addition to the Montecilli Convalescent Home at Dunedin, recently opened by the Hon. Minister of Defence. The addition consists of functional training rooms, and

a large recreation room, very comfortably and artistically furnished. This Home is provided by the Red Cross m Dunedin, and is very popular.