HOSPITAL SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3179, 3 May 1909, Page 5

HOSPITAL SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

DEMONSTRATION OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. Glorious weather prevailed on Saturday and Sunday for the demonstration in aid of the Masterton Hospital, which movement was organised by the Friendly Societies. This is the second annual event promoted by the Societies, and their generous efforts in the worthy cause of the Hospital cannot be too greatly eulogised. The arrangements thoughout were on an even more extensive scale than last year, considerable time and much planning having been devoted to all the details in connection with the demonstration. For instance the idea of holding a sevenaside football tournament among the various Friendly Societies, on Saturday afternoon, was an excellent one, having for its object the creation of widespread interest and consequently a large public attendance. Public i patronage, however, was only fair, the modest sum of £8 7s being ] taken at the gates. The tournament however (a detailed report of which appears elsewhere) was a most interesting one, and the prize, a handsome shield presented by the United Friendly Societies Council, was won by the Carterton Druids team.

HOSPITAL SATURDAY. Collecting operations were carried on in the afternoon and evening in Queen street by a busy army of girls, and as a result of their persuasive powers the sum of £8 10s was realised. The presentation of the Shield to the wir.ners of the Football Tournament also took place at the Foresters' Hall, and there was a large attenJance of representatives of the various Friendly Societies in the Wairarapa. The President of the Friendly Societies Council (Mr E. Pragnell) in making the presentation to Mr N. McKenzie, Captain of the Druids team, Carterton, referred to the great pleasure it afforded him in doing so. He expressed the opinion that in twelve months time the winners of the Shield would again give a good account of themselves. The Captain, in a few appropriate words, suitably responded. Congratulatory references to the winners were also made by Messrs H. J. O'Leary (Hibernians), D. A. Pickering (Druids), C. W. Perry (Oddfellows). Mr W. Toomath, on behalf of the Carterton Lodges, thanked the members of the Friendly Societies Council for the great interest taken in the promotion of the function, which was reciprocated by the President.

SUNDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The procession arranged for yesterday was carried through without the slightest hitbh. The starting point was at the Borough Council Chambers, and by 2 o'clock there was a large public gathering at the scene. The regalia of the different Orders, the hand uniforms and banners, lent a brilliant appearance to the procession. The order of marching was the Municipal Band, led by Drum Major C. W. Braggins, Fire Police, Foresters, Hibernians, Pipe Band, Druids, Oddfellows, Masterton South Band, Good Templars, and Rechabites. Captain Dixon most capably marshalled the procession over the route, which was along Chapel street into Queen street by the Public School, and thence to the Park. Representatives from the Foresters and Oddfellows from both Carterton and Greytown took part in the proceedings. Music was also discoursed by the different musical organisations during the march. On arriving at the Park the procession dispersed, the bands in turn playing selections, speeches being made during the intervals. Mr J. B. Keith, Chairman of the Masterton Hospital Trustees, said it was the second occasion on which he had had the pleasure of speaking at a Hospital Sunday demonstration. In expressing the Hospital Trustees' thanks to the Friendly Societies he said it was very gratifying to find them interested in so noble a cause as hospital work. To a certain extent they had to look to the general public for assistance in the matter of equipment and proper laying out of the grounds, | and he assured them that all subI scriptions received would be expended to the beat prossible advantage.

The Mayor (J/»r P. L. Rollings) paid that it gave him great pleasure to address a few remarks on behalf of the citizens of Masterton. As ratepayers they had to contribute largely towards hospital maintenance, and in this connection he would like those citizens who had shown sympathy with the present movement. In tracing the history of hospital work the speaker said that in every civilised p>rt of the world the movement was now one of great interest. Mo organised attempt towards establishment of Pie. institutions was made u England until the Reformation and then the St. Bartholomew, St. fhomas, St. Bride's and Christ's Hospitals were set up. This was followed by further development until today there were thousands of splendidly eqlpped hospitals doing . noble work. The history of Hospital Siiii-

day was equally interesting. In 1870 the first function of the kind was held in the city of Manchester.' now every town took a keen interest in celebrating its Hospital Sunday-, the rich and poor alike giving what assistance they could. If people just considered for a moment what the state of affairs would be if all the hospitals were abolished, they would then realise more fully their true value. There were no institutions more necessary and more worthy of support than the hospitals. Mr Hollings paid a tribute to the splendid work of the hon. medical members of the local hospital.'who, he said, were called upon to give their time and services at any hour, and this they did willingly. In referring to the noble work ot hospital nurses the speaker said it was little realised what sacrifices they unflinchingly endured in alleviating thejsufferitig of stricl7en*humarnty. opinion, the remuneration to nurses was out of all proportion to" the enormous

alnounTof work they_had to do.. .In touching gon the heroism of [nurses the speaker referred to an incident connected with the wreck of the illfated Penguin. When the vessel was sinking the little children on the boat gathered round the two stewardesses, Mrs Hope and Mrs Jacobs, and those ladies, regardless of everything, nobly did all in their power to comfort them in their distress. It was proposed to establish a "Stewardesses' Bed" in memory of the heroism displayed by these two noble women. The speaker said the amount had been almost subscribed in Mastertm, and he appealed to those present to assist the movement. In conclusion, the speaker said the Hospital was a credit to the district, and worth y of the entire support of the residents. He hoped the appeal would meet with a generous and liberal response. Mr E. Pragnell, President of the Friendly Societies Council, said that after the Mayor's able address, he did not purpose making a lengthy speech. In apologising for the absence of the Hon, A. W. Hogg, the speaker read the following telegram which he had received from that gentleman:—"As I have just returned to Auckland, and have to meet a number of deputations on Monday, it will be impossible for me to take part in the Hospital function to-morrow. Kindly express my regret and assure the people that assemble that in my travels over the country I have seen nothing to approach the Masterton Hospital. It is an institution to be proud of and well worthy of the generous support of all classes." In conclusion, the President said it was a matter for regret that the financial result would fall considerably short of last year's collections. This deficiency was no doubt due to the prevailing depression. On behalf of the Council he thanked the ladies who had volunteered their services, • and also the local institutions for their valuable assistance. During the intervals collections were taken up by energetic girls, the sum of £l2 10s being realised. A special word of praise is due to Mr S. O'Regan, the Secretary, whose untiring efforts largely contributed to the success of the demonstration.