PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

Evening Star, Issue 19785, 8 February 1928, Page 4

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

a eit ns ur quuicit Yesterday’s meeting of the above society was attended by Sir .George Fenwick (chairman), Mesdam.es J. Dey and E C. Reynolds Messrs A. Gilkison, D. Todd, W. Easton, G. H. Elliffe, F. W. Mitchell, A. Kilgour, E. R. Smith, J. Loudon, G. L. Denuiston, C. B. Smith, E. R. Grace (treasurer), and F. G. Gumming (agent). The report of the agent stated that £1.07 4s 8d was received for the Christmas cheer fund. This included the sum of £SO from the Rotary Club, £25 of which was sent to the Rev. G. E. Moreton as directed by the club. The balance was spent upon the needy. Those helped were families whose fathers were in tho general or mental hospitals, tho sanatorium, or the prison. The general work during the period was decidedly heavy. The number of callers at the office was numerous, and a large number of callers sought advice upon many matters. There was also the general institutional visitation, such as the hospital, Wakari, Seacliff, and Waitati Mental Hospitals, the prison, and the Janies Powell Convalescent Home. Tho Convalescent Home had had a fairly satisfactory year so far as tho patients were concerned, and the total number treated was 144. During the year there was not much sickness among the guests. A breakdown came _ sometimes, but this was not surprising in view of the very serious illness of some of the women prior to their entry to the homo. During the year the homo had done excellent work. The change, given to people admitted had worked wonders, and all had returned to their homes fit for work. The home deserved the best and heartiest support the community could _ give. Tn all, approximately 900 sick women and children had been admitted since its opening. The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE.

The annual report of the Finance Committee presented by the chairman, Air D. Todd, was as follows:'—

“The cost of running the James Powell Rest Homo for the year (including depreciation £136 5s lid) is £906 19s 4d, but this includes £53 15s for painting, an item which will not recur for some years. The receipts to meet this are. From patients and the Dempsey Trust, £267 12s Id: from Victoria Jubilee subscriptions, £4O 14s 6cl: Irom Children’s Ministering League, £l2; and £l9 9s Sd in interest, a total of £370 6s 3d. This leaves £536 13s Id to be .covered by subscriptions. Tho total expenditure for office salaries, rent, etc., amount to £672 3s Gel, also £314 19s 10d has been distributed for charity to needy cases, as well as £lO7 4s 8d for Christmas cheer; total, £1,093 18s. To meet this we received this year from the Government account rent and salaries £225 2s 9d, Christinas cheer £lO7 4s Bd, and interest £B3 6s 6d. This leaves £678 4s Id to he covered by .subscriptions and donations. So that in all £1.214 17s 2d was required, and we received in total collections £1,236 10s, leaving a. small credit balance. This year wc have received in legacies £I,OOO. which has been added to our endowment fund, ami will bo invested in corporation debentures at 5$ per cent. The. committee recommend advertising for a collector.” The report was adopted.

Mr Todd said that the year had been satisfactory because of the increased amounts of subscriptions. The committee considered that if the collector were appointed and began his work in ATarch it would he possible to increase the annual subscriptions by £2l:(). Practically nothing was coming in from the country, and the anpoini -"'nit. of a collector for (ho city would enable Air Cu mining to work' in the country.