New Plymouth Hospital Radio Installation

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 17, 6 November 1931, Page 12

New Plymouth Hospital Radio Installation

Opening Ceremony

— OMB months ago a radio receiver, gramophone and microphone were installed in New Plymouth Hospital, tae funds being raised by public subseription. The official opening took place from 2YA Thursday last. The Fon, J. A. Young, who officiated, said: YWYVHATEVER can be done to bring an ‘ extra ray of hope and happiness to the patients in our hospitals is to be encouraged in every, way, and will be welcomed by the wide concourse of listeners whom it is my privilege to address at this moment. My remarks

have a special reference to the New Plymouth District Hospital, of which the Radio listening-in installation is being officially opened to-night. The hospital authorities, and the patients in particular, who will benefit by this new adjunct to the amenities of the hospital wards, are indebted to Mrs. Ayckbourn, who, by her forethought and active efforts, heartily backed up by his worship the Mayor of New Plymouth and other citizens, made this interesting function possible. On behalf of all those concerned, it is my privilege to tender their sincere thanks to the thoughtful promoters and kindly donors of the new radio receiving equipment for their generous gift. It is intensely appreciated, and, indeed, what better reward can the donors desire than to realise that by their generosity they will through the medium of the Radio Broadcasting Company and the splendid programmes, which it supplies from day to day, bring joy and happiness to many a suffering soul. To the sick at heart, who otherwise would be shut off from contact with the outside world, especially in regard a

to daily happenings of importance, radio brings untold joy. Iam assured that the completed outfit which has cost the sum of £755, was made entirely in New Zealand, and on being tried out gave the utmost satisfaction, and that the staff and patients at the hospital are all pleased. At the close of this interesting little ceremony, the local committee of control. already set up, will take over and operate the plant. The committee and all persons at the New Plymouth Hospital, especially the patients, are to be heartily congratulated on this happy event to which we are doing honour to-night. To the patients, let me say that under the skilful treatment of your doctors, and the kindly ministrations of your nurses, I sincerely trust and earnestly pray, as the Minister of the Crown in charge of the public health and hospital activities of the Dominion, that this extra ray of sunshine brought into the hospital life about you will brighten you all, and thus contribute to your restoration to health and strength. In declaring the New Plymouth Hospital radio installation officially open, AT

ees -> let me express the hope that it will always be maintained to efficiently serve the humanitarian purpose for which it was inaugurated. With these few remarks I bid you all good night. HE Hon. 8. G. Smith, member for the district, who was to have been associated with the Hon. Young in the opening, was unable to broadcast because of Parliamentary work. Ina letter (read from 2YA) to the director of 2YA he said: "Wpost gladly do { associate myself with the well-deserved congratulations that are being extended to those who, by their persistent and energetic efforts, succeeded in raising sufficient funds for the purchase of what is probably the most modern radio equip- ° ment of its kind in the Dominion. A special reference is due to the activities of Mrs. Ayckbourn, who inaugurated the campaign for funds, and also to his worship the mayor (Mr. Griffiths), Archdeacon Evans, Dr. Clark, and Messrs. Payne and Ayckbourn, who 14 attended the first meeting of the committee organised by Mrs. Ayckbourn. "At first the subscriptions came slowly, but the drive committee, with the spontaneous assistance of Hawera and other musical associations of North Taranaki, eventually achieved the object in view. ’ "I feel sure that those whose health unfortunately: compels them to be in hospital, will derive considerable pleasure and enjoyment from the installation, and I believe that the radio programmes will contribute to no little extent to the restoration of the patients to good health." ee 2