CHRISTMAS CHEER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 78, 26 December 1907, Page 7

CHRISTMAS CHEER.

, The inmates of the Ohiro Benevolent Home onjoyed themsolves thoroughly on Christmas Day. In all, seventy-two men and thirty women sat down to dinner. Among the number wore five octogenarians—three men and two women. Only six of the inmates were unable to be present. Tho tables wero abundantly supplied with roast turkey, roast gooso, roast beef, plum pudding, fruit, and other, delicacies. In tho evening the Old folk gathored round a Christmas tree, which was lajlen with shawls, handkerchiefs, etc., for the women, and pipes, pocket-knives, walk-ing-sticks, etc., for the men'. Aniong the visitors was the Rev. W. A. Evans, chairman of the Trustees.

;. Christmas was made as bright as possiblo for tho inmates of the diffprent wards and buildings that form the hospital community, and tho Christmas feeling in the'air must ■have worked itself into the minds of even the least hopeful patients. On Christmas Eve. tho nurses formed a choir that visited every, ward, singing Christmas carols. On Christmas Day the wards were decorated with flowers and greenery, and from ten o'clock in the morning patients wero allowed to see their friends. Christmas dinner played an important part in tho day's proceedings, and in the evening such of the patients as could be moved were taken up to, tho children's.ward, where a glittering Christmas, treoheld on its branches presents for every patient. Everyone had a numbered ticket, and no one drow' a blank. The room was crowded with patients and their friends, a happy, laughing throng, and the children were very much delighted with their presents. In one.bed two little chaps' wore sitting bolt upright looking like Tweedledum iind-Tweedlcdee, if those . heroes could be imagined so fair and young and delicate. These youngsters were the most widc-awako of the children, and moro fortunate than many in.that they were able to sit up. In a cot at the end of tho A row a wee imto sat up swaying herself backwards and forwards, but speaking to no one. Several mado the attempt'to extort a word, and one young girl was successful. "Tho baby spoko to mo," sho announced. " What did she say? " asked ari unsuccessful ono. "I told her to lie down, and she said ' No.'" And that, as far as the visitor, could judge, was likely to be the last'word from the baby. Some of the children Went to sleep boforo the performance was over, and lay back clasping their presents while others with bright eyes-watched trie scene, inert but contented.:; Before 9 o'clock the ward was cleared, and the visiting patients restored to their own wards.. , . .

At the Home for Incurables' in- Buckle Street, Christmas Day was' celebrated with floral decorations and Christmas faro for tho patients. It is these homes that'provide- tho best outlet for generous feeling at Christmas time, and poultry, and fruit find their way there from many sympathetic donors. On Christmas Eve at the .Creche in Buclilo Street a "Christmas tree was' given to the children belonging to the Homo of Compassion, and those connected with tho creche,, by a committee, of ladies, who organised a public collection, .and who stated in their appeal for funds that any sum remaining after tho Christmas tree had been provided for would bo given tq' the Homo of Compassion. Mrs. Rolleston' was tho energetic secretary .to whoso, efforts it was duo that tho .sum' collected ; was a very largo one. , Tho children hifd.a good time A little entertain- , ment bad been arranged for their bonofit, and sovcral children danced fancy dances. During the afternoon .Mrs. Rolleston presented: Mother Mary Aubert-with a handbag containing a chequo for a sum of - consider-, ably over £100, tho balanco of the, fund raised.

Father Christmas paid a visit to tlio Salvation. Army's Childrenls Orphanage on Christmas Eve,' whore ho was welcomed Oy about sixty little, children, all dressed in white and looking, very bright and happy. They sarig songs for him and his visitors very nicely," among whom wore Mrs. Hislop, Mrs. J P. Luke, and Miss Lulco. There was a very fino Christmas tree laden- with presents for'tho children. Christmas Evo meant an iricreaso of work t:> the always busy wife of tho Mayor. In the afternoon she attended two Christinas trees, ,and in the morning she had visited .various institutions in the city, taking with her presents for. the inmates. To others which sho could not herself visit sho. sent presents of good .things'and. flowers.