Radio Installed in Wellington Hospital

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 35, 16 March 1928, Page 12

Radio Installed in Wellington Hospital

Great Prospective Boon to Patieits

‘AS far back as May, 1926, nearly two years ago, with the kind co-opera-tiot of Mr. W. Stuart-Wilson, the Amateur Radio Society of Wellington set up a special sub-committee for the purpose of organising a fund for the purchase of an up-to-date broadcast receivitig equipment for the patients and = of the Wellington General HosPl The fact that broadcast listening had proved such a wonderful curative agent in many hospitals in Great Britain, on the Continent, in Canada, the United States and Australia prompted the Wellington Society to make an endeavour to bring this boon to the sufferers in the hospital of the capital city of New Zealand. Medical practitioners were loud in their praise of the beneficial results observed in the various hospitals abroad in which radio equipment was installed. The psychological effect on the patients who listented-in was so marked that hospital after hospital in ayersea countries was being equipped with broadcast receiving installations, The diverting of patients’ thoughts from their maladies and worries, and the bringing of the great outside world to their bedsides, resulted from their being able to lie comfortably in their beds listen- ing to pleasing music and the most important news of the day, not to mention the interest‘ne lecturettes on varied subjects. There was_ testimony by hospital medical superintendents far and wide unanimously in favour of listening-in ejyuipments for hospital patients CAMPAIGN BEGUN. All this was so utterly convincing to the Wellington Hospital Radio Fund Committee that they set about their task of collecting the necessary money with a light heart, although thev realised that they had to contend with manv other appeals to the public generosity. The first committee meetings were presided over by Mr W. Stuart-Wilson, and the committee comprised Messrs. J. H. Owen (president of the Amatenr Ra‘lio Societv of Wellineton) I. M. Levy = (active vice-president), W. J. Roche (vicechairman) and T. H. Megann (committeeman). This was the nucleus of

the movement, and although the committee was added to the actnal work of conducting the public appeal for contributions, and calling for tenders for the work of installing the equipment in the hospital has been effected by this committee of five. Meetings were held by the committee thrice a week for some months, until the fund had received gulflicient impetus, and then weekly and fortnightly- meetings sufficed to keep the ball rolling. EDUCATION NECESSARY ‘Radio broadcasting was found to be generally a thing of mystery to the man in the street, aid a good deal of educational propaganda had to be published to overcome this lack of knowledge. This ignorance hampered the progress of the fund to some extent at first, but gradually the iucrease in popularity of broadcast listening awakened in the public a realisation of the hoon it would prove to hospital patients. Slowly the fund increased, but the steady plodding of the committee and generous help by bands, the radio traders, the ladies of the Labour Political Party, and others, steadily aided in the good work. It was found, however, that as soon as one counterappeal to the public on behalf of other interests lapsed another one would spring up. Eventually, after nearly two years’ unremiiting endeavour, the fund committee decided to devote the money in hand to equipning as manv wards in the hospital as finances would permit, and then let some other organisation at a later date complete the work. The building of the new hospital block facing Riddifard Street offered an opportunity for installing the necessary wiring neatly within the walls, and, at the suggestion of the inedical superintendent, Dr Wilson, this work was enrried out. The tender was let to Messrs. Thos. Ballinger and Co. Unfortunately, hewever, funds so far collected will not nermit of the wards in the new block being eanuinred with headphones and necessarv connections for linking them un with the broadcast receiving system now installed. Wher the pnhblic realise the beneficial effec

to the patients in those wards which have been equipped, it may not be long before the whole of the hospital will be served. TENDERS CALLED. Towards the end of last year the coninittee of the radio fund decided to call for tenders for the installation of a broadcast receiving set, necessary headphones, loudspeakers, and wiring for as many wards as possible, including also the nurses’ quarters. Intending tenderers were invited to be present at the hospital on an appointed day. Sevyeral leading companies were represented at a gathering at the hospital, ‘Those present were handed specifications and were shown over the wards and buildings which were to he equipped. Tenders were next called, and the fund committee engaged the services of Mr. Preston B. Billing, technical lecturer and advisor to the Wellington Radio Society, to aid them in selecting the most acceptable tender. After every detail had been carefully considered the contract was let to the National TWlectrical and Engineering Co. Ltd. Some miles of shielded cable had to be run through the various wards, and even heavy posts had to be set up in the hospital grounds to carry the cables across to the nurses’ buildines. Wooden blocks neatly duen-nainted were fastened to the walls of the wards to supnort the ’phones when not in use, and to carrv the jacks for plugging in the headphones. A special room was walled off for the receiving set, a nowerful up-to-date radio. workine off an indoor loop aerial. Junction hoxes were installed at certain points. and londspeakers were piaced on brackets in the children’s wards and nurses’ quarters. PRELIMINARY TRIAL. Last Saturday evenine, at the invitation of Mr. D. G. Weles, radio ensineer for the contrectors, members of the conunittee of the Hospital Radio Tund attended the hospital on the occasion of an unofficial workine demonstration of the installation A snecial kiddies’ hedtime session was put on for the little ones in the children’s wards, and many scores of male and

female patients in the adult wards also listened in. The test was most encouraginy, although the final balancing of the various circuits had not been completed. Mr. R. Heaton Wear, of the Nationa! Co.’s staff has designed and supervised the. wiring throughout the installation. The official function in connection with the commencement of the daily operation of the installation will take place at an early date. The Radio Fund Conimittee acknow ledge their appreciation of the kindly interest and assistance of Dr. Wilson, medical superintendent of the hospital. SPECIAL CHILDREN'S HOUR. I introducing the uncles and aunts at tle opening of the special hour for hospital children, a yerv novel procedure was followed. Uncle Sandy’s versifying talent has become well known, and he turned his gift to good purpose for the occasion, as the following verses indicate :- (Aunty Dot Speaks). Hlere’s Uncle Sandy, rhymer bold, Who makes the birthday rhymes, And mostly does as he is told, Except at times, at times. (Uncle Saridy Speaks). (’'m Uncle Sandy, poet or Just say a thymer crude, I versify: the birthdays for, New Zealand’s bonny brood. (Uncle Sandy Sings). Here’s Uncle Jasper, much adored By children far and near, His mind is always amply stored, With things they hold most dear. (Uncle Jasper Speaks). I’m Uncle Jasper-not alone, Yor here’s my doggy Spot. We work before the microplone And spar with Aunty Dot, (Uncle Sandy Sings). (’d introduce and bravely speak Of Uncle Ernest kind, But he’s away this merry week, ‘Though present to our mind.

(Aunt Dot Speaks), Now Uncle Tirnest isn’t here, But I shall speak his part, To all the children he’s a dear, He’s got the kindest heart. (Uncle Sandy Speaks). Here’s Aunty Dot, our clever cliief, Among us stands alone, Programmes arranged to our telief, Before the microphone. (Aunt Dot Speaks). I’m Aunty Dot of 2YA, On the official staff, I make the children bright and gay, To think, to dream, to laugh. (Cnele Sandy Sings). Here’s Aunty Gwen, who plays and tells Her fairy tales so fair, And as her music ebbs and swells, *Tis wafted through the air, (Aunt Gwen Speaks). I’m Aunty Gwen, who cannot sing, But I can play quite well, And fairy stories I can bring And all their magic tell, (Uncle Sandy Sings). Now, Uncle Toby makes his bow, Across the Radio, And says to all the children now, Hullo, hullo, hullo. (Uncle Toby Speaks). Yes Toby’s here, the funny man, As Monty better known, But now the little children can Claim Monty for their own. (Uncle Sandy Sings), Now, Uncle Jeff, it’s up to you: You’re last but not the least, ell all the children through the bite Of "Beauty and the Beast." (Uncle Jeff Speaks). I’m good old Jeff, still rattling round, I haven’t gone to rest, But now my occupation's found, Vil give you of my Lest. UNCLE SANDY, 2QYA, Wellingtom,