The completion amd successful opening of a convalescent home for the women and children of Shanghai is an achievement upon which the King's Daughters' Society may well congratulate itself. The need of such an institution has long been felt and dist-riot nurses and all connected with charitable work have deplored the inefficiency of sending patients still requiring careful attention and specia) nourishment back to homes where hardiest find it none too easy to keep strong.
Now through the quiet, steady work of the King's, Daughters' Society aided by many friends and organizations, notably the Shanghai Race Club, there stands out on Hungjao Road, a large red brick building, with spacious grounds where fresh breezes and sunshine, nourishing diet with scientific and loving care are making over pale and languid little invalids into lusty, romping children. The Home began its beneficent ministry last August, as soon as it was possible to take in any children. Since it has already been functioning so-long there will be no formal "opening" of its doors in the usual manner. Instead the Committee and Matron will be at home to all interested on Friday and Saturday afternoons from 3 to 6.30, November 16 and 17. Guests who do not come out in their motors will be met at the corner of Avenue Joffre and Route Ferguson by cars which will ply to and fro. Those coming by tram should take the French Concession line Number 2.
The building itself seems ideally arranged for its purpose, with the sun flooding alli the rooms and doons and windows open to the fresh air. At present there are eight children being cared for and as many as 15 or 16 can be accommodated. On the ground floor one enters first the great sun parlour, or play room, equipped with little chairs and tables, couches, and even more important from, the children's standpoint, rocking horses, Teddy bears, dolls and doll houses. To the right is the matron's ' office and reception room, to the left the dining room with its furnishings provided by the Union Church-Sunday I. The clock was Reriperanes Union, in memory iven by the Women's Christian
of Miss Swinlon, and many articles about the house—toys furniture and the flag-staff and flag—have been given by individuals. The kitchen and pantry are spotlessly clean and great care is given to the menus.
On the first door are the bed—rooms, all- delightfully light and sunny. In the large dormitory above the sun-room, with its five beds, two little girls requiring special care were in bed, the older one knitting, the other—a mere baby—with a doll almost as large as she was propped up on the pillow by hen The Gaskin Circle of King's Daughters furnished this room with its white furniture and counterpanes bordered and pictured in blue. To the left is the Matron's room, and beyond that the Mottiers' Room, furnished by the Western Cirdle, while the Town Circle furnished the bed room to the left as the '"Garner Memorial," decorating its covers with blue birds and orange flowers. The great attic room, while not yet completely furni ished, holds several beds and is as sunshiny and airy as the other.
Outide in the large garden, with its gay flower bed, and space for a kitchen garden, Mr. MacGregor, the Municipal Superintendent of Parks, has given great assistance already and is arranging for shade trees for the further corners of the lawn. A summer house will be one of the later additions, The children delight in the freedom of out of doors and "lave great sport wheeling each other along the paths in their barrows or playing with the Irish terrier 'Flynn' and his good friend the kitten.
Dr. Aylward, the medica] attendant, pays a weekly visit of inspection and makes any other necessary calls. The Home 1s greatly indebted to the Municipal Council for its kindness in loaning the services of Miss J. Victoria Gregory, one of the nurses on the private staff of the Victoria Nursing Home, as Matron. Well equipped by training and temperament for such a position she has created so happy a home atmosphere that it was not surprising one little boy cried when the had to leave and could only ®e consoled by the promise that he should spend part of the Christmas holidays there. Two refined young Russian girls are assisting Miss Gregory.
The building is free from debt, but for its running expenses is dependent upon the gifts of its members, friends, and community organizations. Payment according to the financial ability of parents is accepted, but most of the cases are from families unable to meet any part of the cost of treatment. Most of the cases thus far have come through the district nurse but applications may be made from any source and will be carefully considered.
The Convalescent Home Committee, which is itself practically another Circle of the Society, is headed by Mrs. A. W. Brankston as Chairman; Mrs. Harding, Hon. Secretary; Mrs Bond, Hon. Treasurer; and Mesdames Wells, Milne, Brewer and Miss Alice
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.