CHRISTMAS AT THE HOSPITAL.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 3, 2 January 1906, Page 2

CHRISTMAS AT THE HOSPITAL.

[To the Editor.] Sib,- —I have thought that a brief account of how we spent Christmas at the Hospital, from the pen of one who participated in the treat afforded, might be interesting to your readers. Christmas morning broke with an almost cloudless and glorious sunshine. The first tangible intimation we had of the near approach of Christmas was on the Saturday preceding that eventful day, when we saw the wards being decorated with evergreens and flowers of the brightest hues, giving the wards an animated and delightful appearance. Our first agreeable surprise came on Christmas morning, when we ascertained that during the night Santa Claus had paid us his customary yisir, and made each patient the recipient of some useful or ornamental gift. Added to this came the cheerful voices of the nurses, who wished us, collectively and individually, “A Merry Christmas” —a greeting that was eagerly responded to by all. But what a train of pleasant rec 1 ections these simple words brought to many of us! separated as many of us were from those most near and dear to us, some by the ties of friendship, and others by the more sacred ties of blood. And the’ morning glides peacefully on,till dinner was announced. And. such a dinner ! with all the delicacies of the season, everything cooked to a turn. So it is needless to say that we enjoyed ourselves to our hearts content, while we were allowed a liberty.of action that is not always accorded to us, allowance being made on this great and festive occasion. Afterj tea—which’ was another pleasant meal—came the grandest and most important feature of the day, when a number of ladies and gentlemen who had kindly volunteered gave several selections of songs and music, which added a great deal to the day’s amusement. The ward in which the concert was held presented al] the appearance of an Oriental hall, festooned with evergreens of various devices. At the farthest end stood the Christmas tree, crowded with Chinese lanterns. In fact,the whole of the ward was lighted in the same manner, presenting a most picturesque appearance. The exciting event of the evening was the distribution of prizes from the Christmas tree,, which kept the doctor, matron,, secretary, and nurses for some time very busy, and caused any amount of laughter. At the conclusion of the entertainment, the chairman, doctor, and one of the patients= addressed a few appropriate remarks [already reported in the Presg] to those assembled, and the singing of the National Anthem brought to a close a very pleasant day, one to be long remembered, and quite a red-letter day in our recollection.—Yours truly, Veritas. Waipukurau, Dec. 30.