PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

Evening Star, Issue 22463, 7 October 1936, Page 9

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID

SOCIETY EXECUTIVE MEETS _ The monthly meeting of tho Executive Committee of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society was held yesterday in the Chamber of Commerce board room, and was attended by Mr W. Downie Stewart (chairman), Messrs F. W. Mitchell, A. Kilgour, W. L. Logie, G. H. Elliffe, Mesdames J. Dey, H. L. Cook, E. C. Reynolds, and Miss Teunent. AGENT’S REPORT. The agent (Mr A. Steven) submitted the following report on the work carried out during September:—

Prisoners were visited at the local gaol and an endeavour was made to render helpful service. Those discharged locally and from other prisons were given guidance and help and assistance was given to enable them to rehabilitate. Tho needs of prisoners’ dependents applying for assistance were also met. Sunday morning church services were conducted on September 13 and 27, and practically all the men incarcerated attended. Regular church services were conducted at Seacliff and Orokonui Home. Wo are greatly indebted to Mr Reid for the valuable assistance he gives us in connection with these church services on Sundays. The patients were visited every week, and we sought to make contact with the patients as helpful as possible. Although this work has its difficulties, yet we feel it is worth tackling, and if nothing else is achieved we can at least pass on a word of cheer and try and show that we are in sympathy and wish to help It is our privilege, too, to keep in touch with the relatives of patients and help in the carrying of their burdens. Our visiting during the month also included Cherry harm, where quite a number of patients are employed, and the Neuropathic Home at_ Karitane. On September 15 the Trinity Methodist Church Choir, under Mr Wilson, and assisting artists, gave a concert at Seacliff, and all the items were thoroughly enjoyed by the patients. Parcels of literature were left from time to time. We are grateful to those who help to keep up the supply. We visited the patients at Wakari on two occasions during the month, and made the usual monthly visit to Pleasant Valley. There is always a warm welcome given us in these two. institutions both by the staff and by tho patients, and we are always made to feel that our efforts to be of service are appreciated. Patients were assisted in tho matter of clothing, etc., during the month. The Royal Dunedin Male Choir gave a concert at Pleasant Valley on September 23, which was greatly enjoyed by tho patients, and thanks are due to the members of the choir and the others who assisted in giving such a pleasant evening. Literature handed to us by interested friends was passed on to the patients. The male and female wards of the Public Hospital were visited each week, and an interest was taken in the patients. From the female ward 11 patients were given convalescent treatment at the rest homo at Warrington. The Sunday evening song services were conducted in the various wards throughout the Hospital, and were appreciated by the patients, who always look forward to these visits by the church choirs. The following choirs assisted in September:—First Church, Knox, Knox Junior, United Congregational, Hanover Street Baptist, Trinity Methodist, and Mr W. L. Logie’s choir. Tho report was adopted. In his monthly report to the committee of the James Powell Convalescent Home, Mr Steven stated that during September 17 patients were admitted to the convalescent homo at Warrington. Some of this number was recommended by the medical superintendent. and were transferred from the Public Hospital, and some were recommended by private practitioners, and included a patient from tho extreme north of Otago, and one from the extreme south. The home was meeting a great need in providing rest and convalescent treatment to those who could not afford to pay for it, and was greatly appreciated by those who had benefited in health by being placed under tho care of tho matron. At present the home was full, and there was a waiting list of those seeking admittance. The alterations in the lay-out of the grounds round the homo were now taking definite shape. The front lawn had been sown down, and flowering shrubs had been planted in plots on either side of it. Tho trees planted by members of the committee early in August were now bursting into leaf, and in another month the whole surroundings of the home should be extremely pleasing and beautiful. The following gifts were acknowledged with thanks: —Flowering plants, from Mrs Young, Macandrew Bay; a parcel of music, from “Music Lover,” Dunedin; and a parcel of new garments from the Dunedin Hospital Guild.

The report was adopted. Accounts amounting to £GG 12s Cd wore passed for payment. On the recommendation of tho agent, it was decided to apply to the authorities for permission to broadcast from 4YA a talk on the activities of the society.