A PICNIC OUTING.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1922, Page 1

A PICNIC OUTING.

j .FOR MENTAL HOSPITAL PATIENTS. I A very enjoyable outing in the form i of a picnic was held for the entertainment of the patients of the Mental -Hospital, Hokitika, on Monday, the 16th inst. The picnic was held on the old racecourse on Mr W. Graham’s property at Lower Kokatahi. Many thanks are due to Mr Graham for his valuable assistance and generosity in placing, hs homestead at the disposal of the picnickers for the day. The locality chosen for the purpose was ideal audit would be hard to be improved qn.| The outing was originally set down to be held on Wednesday the 18th, but owing to unforeseen circumstances the' date had to be altered to the 16th.' inst at short notice. As matters turned out this was very fortunate as regards weather conditions for Monday, after the heavy storms of Sunday, turned out to be a gloriously bright summers, day whereas Wednesday was cold and squally. .The patients, numbering close on one hundred .were conveyed from the, hospital by Messrs Orr Bros lorries and .ren'qheff the picnic ground about eleven o’clock. .The ride to and from iyokatahi was one of the most enjoyed features.qf .the day. .With several breaks fpi refreshments sports and games were .indulged in and thoroughly enjoyed until five o’clock. .The various, sporting .events, particularly the tug-of-war, being well contested. Considerable ; aniusonient was caused by the nian icd ladies’ race which was contested .by a number of rather portly dames. The party returned home.about six o’clock. All were very en.tliusiastic as to the enjoyment derived .from the change and are in hopes of. having another ffay out .before long. Tin: jCgtering was all that could be do-: sired. The good things supplied by the .townsfolk received considerable attention and were very much appreciated. The staff worked exceedingly hard for the entertainment and amusement of the patients .and at the same time they themselves derived a goodly share of pleasure .from the outing. The picnic is an innovation as far as Fjoaview t is concerned, but it is now ,-hoped ,to .make it at least an annual ,fixt)ire. In the larger institutions throughout New Zealand the regular patients picnics do a considerable aniCiin of good and are eagerly looked forward to by the patients for weeks beforehand. TFe change of surround--ings and scenery has a .beneficial effect on the minds' of the afflicted in as much as yt helps them to forget their troubles and enables them to see that some .Interest is taken in their welfare. It .is a groat pity that these outings cannot ; be jhelff more frequently. The public qf Hokitika and surrounding districts are .to be congratulated for their generosity in responding so readily ,to .the appeal made to -them for donations. The success of the picnic is due in a .large .measure to their whole hearted support.

The Mrtheaj Superintendent of the Mental Hospital, Hqkitika desires to return thanks to the undermentioned for donations received which largely contributed ,to the success of the patients picnic held at Lower Kokatahi on the 16th. instant:—Mrs Barrowman, Mrs W. Rrnddon, Mr R. ,de Bakker, Mr J. Breeze.’ M r J- Breeze, Mr W. Butler, Mr A. .Clifton, Mr Connor, Mr Cook, Mrs E- Dale, Mrs T. Daly, Mr R. Davies, Mrs J. A. Dowell, Mr D- •!. Evans, Mrs J. Finch, The Guardian and Times ,Coy. Ltd., Mrs Batch. Messrs M. Houston, agid Coy., Mrs M. Kanrnha.n, Mrs L. Hughes, Mr H. Jones, M rs V r . Kortegnqt, Mr A. Little, Messrs J. C. Malfroy and Coy. Ltd. Mrs C. Macfarlane, M TS Merewether, Messrs Paterson, Michel and Coy., Mrs S. Pipston, Quong, Mi ss M. F- Reynolds, Mrs Wilson, Mrs G. Wormington.