SILVER JUBILEE YEAR

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14711, 1 July 1948, Page 4

SILVER JUBILEE YEAR

Activities Of Piimket Society

President’s And Secretary’s Reports

“The past year may be called our Silver Jubilee and it is by chance, but very fitting, that in_ this year should be built the Clinic at Tauranga South,” said Mrs J. S. Thomson, President of the Tauranga branch of the Plunket Society when presenting her report at the annual meeting held on Tuesday.

“By chance this happening was in our Jubilee year, but certainly the building of the clinic was not due to any set of chance circumstances. Again I remind you that this clinic, which was officially opened in May, is debt free. We are indebted to the builder, Mr E. R. Hills, and to Mr Porter, who voluntarily gave his services as architect, for this building with its attractive interiors. The flat attached is completely furnished.”

She remarked that Lady Freyberg, in her Founder’s Day speech, stressed the value of clinics having living quarters attached. “This year our social activities have been curtailed. The society had to forgo its annual garden party and children’s Christmas treat because of the outbreak of infantile paralysis. The past six months have been worrying months for all mothers and it is to be hoped that tlie coming summer will be free of this epidemic,” Mrs Thompson continued.

“Once again I must comment on the growth of the work in the Tauranga district. The report of the Plunket Sister will toll you just how much this work has grown. When the recent growth of Mount Maunganui and Tauranga South is considered one is made to think, but besides these districts, our work extends from Te Puke to Katikati. We have long been in need of a second Sister and we arc at Inst fortunate to have this need filled. A second Sister commenced duty at the end of May. We are grateful to Sister Hally for her hard work in carrying through alone during the past year.

“This throws greater responsibilities on our branch and our subbranches and means more work for the committees who must moot the increased expenses.” The president concluded by thanking all organisations and individuals who had helped the society during the year. Progress During Year

“Justification for the outlay and the need for the new Tauranga South Clinic is evident in the full and busy Clinic hours now being conducted,” said’Mrs D. M. Johnson secretary of the society, when presenting her report. “The flat is still untenanted owing to the rent charge not having been fixed. “Two bridge parties were held in the Lyceum Club Rooms, the proceeds to „help pay delegates’ expenses to \he different conferences. Last July, a Table-Setting Display was again held and was an unqualified success. In August, the appeal for eggs and citrus fruits resulted in many dozens of eggs and a fair quantity of citrus being dispatched to the Karitane Hospital, Auckland,” Mrs Johnson continued. “In the latter part of 1947, after the announcement of a 20 per cent Government subsidy for the purchase. the Committee bought a new motor-car, having previously disposed of the one then being used.

“Tauranga is now a two-nurse branch,” she remarked, “Sister Ward being appointed temporarily to assist the district Plunket Nurse. Miss Lusk, Nursing Advisor to the New Zealand Plunket Society has stated that the permanent assistant nurse will be appointed soon. All salaries and overhead expenses have increased considerably and it is the duty of all members to bear this responsibility. “Our -annual street appeal Was a record, £llO being collected, and many sincere thanks are given to all helpers and to the Tauranga public for their contribution,” Mrs Johnson concluded.