SUNSHINE LEAGUE

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1926, Page 14

SUNSHINE LEAGUE

HAPPINESS FOR UNFORTUNATE. ROTARY CLUB’S WORK PRAISED. Auckland, Nov. 29. Several months ago the Governor-Gen-eral addressed the Auckland Rotary Club and suggested the formation in Auckland of a Sunshine League, similar to that at Hamilton, for the purpose of bringing a measure of happiness to unfortunates, particularly patients in the Auckland Hospital, the Mental Hospital and other institutions. His Excellency made a special appeal on behalf of the inmates and staff of the Auckland Mental Hospital, who, he said, received less than a fair share of attention from the charitably disposed, though their need ol help and encouragement was very great. When Sir Charles Ferguson again visited the Rotary' Club today, the president (Mr. W. C'oltman) referred to the matter. The club, he said, had not done all it had wished to do towards carrying out His Excellency’s suggestions, but it had not neglected them. It had accomplished a good deal, and but for tlie illness of its secretary it would have done much more. His Excellency, in an address later, said that, following his suggestion of the way in which the club might enlarge its activities, he had read various accounts of what had been done to carry out the idea. "I cordially congratulate you on what you have done,” he added. "I spoke to you particularly of the needs of the Mental Hospital. I know what you have done there. I have heard it spoken of in many places in New Zealand as typical of Rotary. It has not only brought sunshine into the lives of unfortunate people there who needed it so much; it has brought encouragement to those who have the painful and difficult duty of dealing with them. They have really the hardest task. I know what you are aiming at —your scheme for Christmas time —but I hope that you will be encouraged to go on and make the Sunshine League a. wider thing. I believe that in this great city it can be the nucleus of a system that will bring sunshine into the lives of many.”