WELL DONE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 893, 12 August 1910, Page 6

WELL DONE.

THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

PUBLIC MEETING. PRESENT POSITION OF THE FUND. The movement inaugurated by> the Mayoress with a view to raising funds for the erection of a new Children's Hospital reached an interesting stage yesterday, when the Concert Chamber at the Town Hall was packed to the doors by those who accepted the Mayor's invitation to attend a public meeting to appoint a committee and make other necessary arrangements. Statement by the Mayor. Mr. Wilford said it was impossiblo for him to adequately express the satisfaction felt by Mrs. Wilford and himself at seeing so enormous a gathering. He had little thought when Mrs. "Wilford launched the project that the public of Wellington would have responded so readily and enthusiastically. Mrs. Wilford and himself claimed no credit for this as a new project. It was so old that 'it must almost have leached its majority. Last Tuesday week the Mayoress, at a meeting of the Society for • the Prevention of Cruelly to Women and Children, had timidly brought up tho Children's Hospital scheme, and suggested that, perhaps the citizens might 1 find a sum of .£3500. They felt that they were undertaking a big task. At the present moment tho fund had reached a total of ,£3707. They had missed JMfIOO by the hardest of luck. If certain expected contributions had come to hand he would have, had tho pleasure that afternoon of announcing that tho fund had grown to no less a sum than ,£IOOO. That it would reach .£4OOO there was no possible question. and if they could raise .£4OOO in •twelve days he was perfectly certain they would be able to get another JEIOOO by next Wednesday. He wanted to fix next Wednesday as tho final day for closing this fund. Ho had become convinced in the last twelve days that if lists were distributed at once every one could bo handed in and .£SOOO placed in .the National Bank on Wednesday noxt, waiting for the Government subsidy to cap and crown it. There had been a generous and ready response to the appeal for funds, which entitled him < as Mayor of the City of Wellington to 6ay, "Well done, Wellington!" They had been told in tho past -that Wellington was a city chary of subscribing, but ho had had his eyes opened in the last twelve days, and so had they all. To the sum already raised there was to be added a large sum which would accrue as a'result of- the generosity and kindness of Mr. Hugh Ward and his company. (Applause.) He did not think it would bo an exaggeration to say that tho donation by his company of their services on Saturday, together with the ,£IOO subscribed by Mr. Ward, would add to the fund JMOO at the very least. This with the Government subsidy of 24s'. in the £ would bring tho total to a sum of no small consideration, His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Wilford stated, had asked that his name bo placed on' tho committee, not as an ornament, but as ono willing and ready to assist. A Long-felt Want. Mr, R. C. Kirk said it might have burn tnought—and thought had been expressed in some quarters—that if the new Children's Hospital were so badly needed, the board should have provided it before the necessity became so great as it was at present. On behalf of the board, he desired to say that just two years ago plans had been ordered for a new children's hospital, in conjunction with other improvements to the institution. Following upon that, the board were faced by the necessity of expending <.£'IS,OOU in the construction of a new level hospital, an absolutely necessary work. In a month or two the new fever hospital would be finished, and this accomplished, tho first work to be taken in hand ivoukl bo the children's hospital. In the early part of this year plans had been approved by tho health Officer, and in June plans were accepted, and it devolved upon the board to raise the necessary funds. On July 27 he wrote to Mr. Wilford stating that the board was desirous o£ erecting a new Children's Hospital,, that offem of support had come in from time to time, and expressing the opinion that if tho matter were put befor.e the public, the latter would respond. How Mr. Wilford had given his assistance they had had ample proof during tho last few days. In conclusion, Mr. Kirk stated that a total of at least .£9OOO was required, but that if .£SOOO were subscribed, it, with the Government subsidy, would enable them to build an hospital that would certainly be second to none in tho Dominion.

The Psychological Moment. The Hon. C. 11. Luke said that thu need for a new Children's Hospital had been impressed, upon the board both J by Dr. Ewart, late medical superintendent, and by his successor, Dr. HardwickSmith. * He felt bound to pay a tribute of praise to the present Mayoress, Mrs. Wilford, for the spontaneity with which she had taken this matter up. She had seized the psychological moment, and had that afternoon a splendid reward before her. In the City of Wellington they hod a great deal to be proud of for the part that women, had taken in times past. To Mrs. Williams they were indebted for Seaman's Institute and the Y.M.C.A., and ■to the ladies ol' Wellington they were also indebted for the hospital for chronic invalids and the Seddoii shelters for consumptives. The city, in his opinion, had responded magnificently to the present call. Ho doubt a sum of £5000 at least would bo raised.

A.Magnificent Response. The Hon. Dr. Collin's agreed that tho response to Mrs. Wilford s appeal had been truly magnificent. He. would like to say that the Trustees of the Wellington Hospital had for years recognised two blocks of buildings which they would like to wipe out. These were the Fever Hospital and tho Children's Hospital In tho latter one might see little patients at the verandah, vc-r.v often crowded out. Although the wards were kept ■ scrupulously clean, the building was now unlit in every way for' tlic reception of sick children, especially when it was crowded. Dr. Herbert extended hearty congratulations to Mrs. Wilford in particular and to everyone else in general who had assisted to make the movement the. success it was at that moment. . A mistake had been made in not asking the public for funds for a new Children's Hospital long ago. 11l the speaker's opinion there was no reason why the original plans should bo adhered to. These plans were drawn when the board was faced- by the the necessity of erecting a fever hospital, an eye ward, and an extra surgical ward, as well as a Children's Hospital. A building erected on the plans drawn would only serve to meet urgent present necessity. He would urge that thev make a good job of the hospital, and put up a building that would suffice for many years. It was advisable to do so from every point of view, especially that of economy. A Great Need. Dr. Hardwiekc Smith quoted figures by way of giving his hearers some idea of .the work now carried on at the Children's Hospital. .Since about July 5 sixty poor children had been admitted, and in the same period over 100 had been treated. During a year some 500 or GOO patients were treated. They had now 25 beds and 38 patients, besides children in different wards of the main hospital. They had practically no means of securing the isolation of patients. Tho one room, supposed to be used for this purpose was customarily utilised as a playroom, the only one they had. The oul.v alternative was to let tho children play, in' the wards betwean beds in w liich ifevor and other patients were ..lying. In the new hospital much better results would be attained. They did not want only .£ISOO, but as much as they could'get. They did not want tho minimum, biit the maximum. Mr. and Mrs. AVilford would be remembered as founder and foundress of the Children's Hospital. Mr. AVard also who had como among them almost as ~ a stranger, they had to thank very much lor what ho was doing. ' . | A Handsome Donation. The Rev. H. Van Staveron said they •wanted every penny they could get. He

had to announce that a friend of his was prepared, when JMSOO had been raised, to donate ,£SOO. (Applauso.)Human Nalure. Mr. Hugh Ward, ou rising to speak, was greeted with sustained applause, and it was some time ere ,ho obtained a hearing. He commenced with a declaration that there was nothing extraordinary in tho occasion. There wan nothing m doing what they had done here. He had travelled in China, India, and other Asiatic countries, and the same thing was done there. It was ordinary human nature. Since a single individual had come forward with an offer of J2500, ho hoped that citizens of Wellington would show on Saturday that they could put up a still larger sum. He was of a proiession that reflected humanity. They were always playing on the emotions of others, and exploiting the most beautiful thoughts the great minds of the world could produce. Deep down in each person's heart in his business they knew only chanty. Speaking from a long experience of them all over the world, ho could say they were always , ready to assist in a. good cause. . ! .

A Committee Appointed. A committee of 71 members was appointed to canvass for subscriptions. His Excellcncy the Governor (Lord Islington) was appointed patron, the Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford) president, Mrs. Wilford vie* president, Mrs. AVilford and Miss R. Joseph treasurers, and Messrs. J. Coyle and A. V. Harding secretaries.

PRACTICAL SYMPATHY. ' At the meeting in the Concert Chamber, Mr. Wilford read a letter from the Chinese Consijl, Mr. Hwang, stating that a .*?mi of ,£133 9s. had wen collected from Chinese residents in Wellington. Many Chinese, Mr. Hwang remarked, expressed their regret that no larger sum had been raised towards the noble cause the Mayoress proposed to accomplish. News of the Chinese contribution was received with applause.

The City Council has given the Wellington Football Association permission to use the Basin R-eserve on Saturday afternoon, August 20, for the Brown Shield match, Otago v. Wellington, with permission to charge, . the association undertaking to donate' half the gross takings to the Children's Hospital Fund. ,Miss May .Moore, one of Wellington's most artistic photographers, has presented Mr._ Hugh Ward with 'several dozen of his own .photographs mounted on. sepia art paper, as a donation towards the Children's Hospital Fund.' The photographs, bearing Mr. Ward's autograph, are to be sold at the Opera House during tho matinee performance to-morrow afternoon.

As the Tesult of the special benefit show given at St. Thomas's Hall last evening by the management of the Star Piotures, Mr. Jlanthe], a. member of the firm, was able to haud to the Mayoress (Mrs. T. M. Wilford), during an interval in tho entertainment, a. cheque for .€9 14s. In expressing hor thanks, Mrs. Wilford referred gratefully to the spontaneous action of the management in the matteT, and also to those .who. had assisted in. the enterprise—the hall had been let free, and the members of tho orchestra and others had given their services gratuitously.

■ The proprietary of the Kelburne Tea. Kiosk are giving a tea on Sunday afternoon in connection with the fund. For this occasion Jupp's band have forgone a previous arrangement to appear elsewhere, and will play in the kiosk gardens during the afternoon. THE SUBSCRIPTION LIST, <£ s. d. Previously acknowledged V.,...... 3,095 17 1 Chinese residents 123 9 0 "Mr. Highden" 50 0 0 W. and G. Turnbull and Co. ... 50 0 0 B. T._Turnbull 25 0 .0. Jos. Nathan and Co. 25 0 0 S. Gilmer 20 0 0 Jas. Mackny 15 15 0 Mr., Mrs., and Miss Tomsitt (collected at Otaki) 15 15 0 Collected in Fruit Markets by T. Sutherland 12 15 0 Harcourt' and Co 10 10 0 Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Turnbull... 10 10 0 Yorkshire Society 10 10 0 Best Wishes ....: 10 10 0 Mr. and Mrs. J. Mandel 10 10 0 Hannah's Employees 10 10 0 David Anderson and Co. 10 10 0 E. Anderson 10 10, 0 Star Pictures 9 14 0 Collected by Mrs. Faulko Cohen—Mrs. A. Levy .£5 55., Jlr. and "Mrs. Cohen .£3 35., Babies 10s. 6d„ Mr. Hobbs 10s. (id. 9 9 0 Carr, Bell, and Staff 7 15 0 Cyclists' Touring Club (per E. G. Pilcher) 6 3 0 Grand Hotel Employees GOO Jlr. and Mrs. W. Dimock G 0 0 Car-shed Employees ' (per J. ~ King) : G 0 0^ Dr. Hay 5 5 0 Mrs. Embling : 5 5 0 Ferguson and Hicks 5 5 0 P. S. Lawrie 5 5 0 Friend of the Children . 5 5 0 Mr. and Mrs. J. ,T. M'Grath ... 55 0 Saml. Brown and Co. 1 ....; 550 R. P. Collins 5 5 0 Foley and Sons 5 5 0 R. ASchibald .....i. 5 0 0 Non-Coms. N.Z. Artillery 5 0 0 Employees of E. Collie 4 10 Employees Veitch and Allan 3 5 0 Colonial Carrying Co. and Staff 316 0 Collected by Mrs. G. Thirkcll ... 3 5 o Sirs. M. Peters 3 3 0 Welsbach Light Co. and Staff... 3 3 o J. W. Brown ■ 3 3 0 R. L. Mestayer 3 3 0 E-M. ... . 3 3 0 i Mrs. Xember 3 3 j ! Smith and Smith Employees ... 215 0 Mr. and Mrs. J. Ilott 2 2 0 F. Bradv 2 2 0 Ultan F. M'Cabe 3 2 0 Tramway Permanent-way 2 0 0 Mr. and Mrs. .A. L. Warburton 2 2 0 Captain E. Bryce-Wilson ......... 2 2 0 ,' Dr. Anson : 2 2 0 Mrs. W. J. Brown 2 2 0 Aust. Kodak Co 2 2 ft Alfred Tycr 2 2 0 A Friend ........ 110 0 C. 11. l'ym (collected) 1 10 0 Stock Exchange (addition) 15 0 J. Thurnian 110 Mrs. Gordon Ponsonby - 1 1 0 D.N.W. _ 1 1 0 \Y. A. Kennedy 110 Miss M'Andrew 110 Mr. Burgess 1 1 0 Mrs. Fitchett 110 H. A. Beauchamp 110 Geoli. Field : 1' 1 0 Mrs. Hwang 110 ■M.T.B 1 1 o A-C. 10 0 Jacob Bomb 010 G Miss V. Kennedy. -. 010 G P ; B.W 0 10 0W. Palmer 0 10 0 Nurse Spraggon 0 5 0 Lester's Money Box 0 5 0 G.E.S. .....: 0 5 0 Joseph Newgie 0 10 Collected by Mrs. E. BryceWilsou—Miss Cameron 55., Southerly 55., 3lrs. William Dick 55., Mrs. li' Gill 55., Anonymous :2s. 6rl„ Messrs. M. and J. Rooney is. Gd., A Hoed 2s. Gd., Mrs. Wise 10s., Mrs. Morice Baker Gs, George Cliong 2s„ A Friend 2s. Gd., Mrs. Kelly 2s. Gd., Mrs. Girdlvstone 2s. Gd., Mrs. Weybomne 2s. Gd.. • Mrs. Kelts 2s. 6d., L.S. '2s. Gel., \E.L. Is., F.S. 2s. fid., Mrs. , Avery Gs. Gd.. A Friend 10s. Gd.. Mrs. Douglas jEI. C. and T. Bryce-Wilson 55., Annette Bryce-Wilson ss„ . Mrs. Zohrab Jsl, H. Zolirab 10s. Gtl., Miss Aubrey 5s 5 16 0 Collected by Mrs. Bunny—Mrs lUthboiie .£lO, Jlr. T. Burt •CI Is., E. Feist and Co. .£1 Is., G. A. Chapman, £1 Is., Father Lane Si\ Is.. Dr. Mirams .£1 Is., C.M.H. JEI Is., Miss S. M. Rathboue 10s,. Miss G. Ratlibohe 10s., Mrs. GaTdiner 55., Mrs. Hector 55., S. Je'nness 55.; Quell Wnh 2s 10 .4 0 Dominion List '. 31 17' G Total to date J63758 15' G