Wireless for Hospitals

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 30, 7 February 1930, Page 12

Wireless for Hospitals

Taumarunui Appeal FA LREADY very many hospitals in New Zealand are equipped with wireless installations, and a visit to any one of these institutions will convince one that such an installation is one of the finest tonics in that hospital. Not only can a wireless receiver while wway many otherwise long and dreary hours, but it has been proved beyond nv doubt that the material good arising from the music is considerable. There is no. doubt that every hospital New Zealand should have its own stallation, yet we find in many cases that the public are not only apathetic towards this urgent need, but in some pases they are even opposed. This is ® selfish view to take, for those who are in health do not stop to realise Yhe amount of good a very little sacriere on their part can do for those who re less fortunate. Apropos this subject, we have reeived a communication from an hura listener who outlines’ the ther sad state of affairs in lat district. It is desired to install ireless in the Taumarunui Hospital nd each part of that district has een asked for help. The position $ Summarised by the secretary of the nd, Dr. E. Vivian, who writes: "Our im is to collect a fund to supply 2 ireless set for the Taumarunui Hosital, and we.would like to interest a w influential members of the district ho would be able to interest their iends and perhaps form a local comittee to assist us. It will require bout £200. We wish to supply a pair phones for each bed-loudspeakers nnot always be used in a hospital ard, the noise might disturb some iously ill patients. There are at pret 50 beds with 10 to be added shortin an infectious disease block: 0 rphones at 12/6, £37/10/-; wiring at /- a pair, £90; 1 special set with amlifiers, £50; 3.loud speakers for veraiiahs. If funds permit, one gramoMone pick-up to allow records to be ayed when wireless is not available. £ present there is very little to amuse e patients in hospital, and such an ystallation would be a great asset, pking the patient’s attention from his ywn trials and troubles and helping wo ‘pass the time. "Unfortunately the Health Departpent looks on it as a luxury and we will ave to find the whole of the fundJhey will allow no subsidy. We have yollected £80 in Taumarunui itself and £ the rest of the hospital district helps ams

us we should have no trouble in obtaining the sum we need. We have drawn up a rough estimate of what seems a fair donation from each part of the district based on the number of wireless sets in the district. There are 200 sets in the whole hospital district-57 in Taumarunui, 49 in Ohura, 11 in Matiere. We have already written to all owners of sets in Ohura and Matiere, but though we got £80 in Taumarunui, we have only so far received 30/- from both Ohura and Matiere. T£ you could use this letter to stimulate interest we would be mueh obliged. I will be pleased to supply any information required." At the meeting of the council, where the letter was first read, it was decided to make a donation toward the fund. The cause is a good one, and we can only hope that the necessary interest will be stimulated to secure the installation. It will certainly be a boon to any of the distressed who may have need to use the hospital. =