HARD OF HEARING LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23085, 30 July 1940, Page 8

HARD OF HEARING LEAGUE

—♦— YEAR OF PROGRESS REPORTED WORK AHEAD OF BRANCH OUTLINED An account of the work ■ ahead of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing was given by the president (Mr John Montgomery) in his annual report to the branch meeting last evening, which was attended by about 30 members. The president expressed his pleasure in reporting "continued progress” in the branch’s second year of existence, and the satisfactory financial position, resulting mainly from grants from art union ' funds (£2oo' and the City Council (£2O). “The work ahead of 1 us,” he said, “besides the constant routine of assistance to members, envisions the standardisation of hearing aids—the provision of reliable batteries for them—some central organisation for testing and advic.e, and the provision in halls and churches of special appliances to meet the requirements of the many who would use them.” Much had yet to be done, Mr Montgomery said. He thought that co-oper-ation between the various branches was most essential, and he was glad to be able to report that arrangements were under way for representatives 1 from each branch to meet at Wellington soon to discuss matters of common interest. In her report, Miss E. M. Ash, organising teacher, said that- while the war had made necessary some curtailment of the programme planned last year, the branch could be thankful that difficulties had not been greater. The early months of the year had allowed opportunity to consolidate, and latter months, with participation in the war effort, had drawn members together in a way promising security for the branch’s foundations. Miss E. M. Jennings (for the social committee) reported that almost £4O had been contributed to the Red Cross Society through the branch’s efforts in the "barrow drive” and a "bring and buy” afternoon. A talk on the benefits of the league was given by Bishop Brodie, other speakers also praising the league’s work. Officers elected were:—President, Mr John Montgomery: vice-presidents, , Archbishop West-Watson, Bishop Brodie, Dr. T. A. Mac Gibbon, the Hon. Mr Justice Northcroft, Mrs Mannaduke Bethell, Miss Enid Hutchinson, Miss Ria Macalister, Miss M. G. Havelaar, the Mayor (Mr R. M. MacfarJane. M.P.); executive, Mrs John Johnson. Mrs A. A. Barlow, Mrs Crawford, Miss Marian Saunders, Messrs J. G. Poison, A., J. McEldowney, M. Hullett; honorary secretary, Mrs I. C. Norrie; honorary assistant-secre-tary. Miss Ethel Jennings: honorary treasurer, Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon; honorary solicitor, Mr A. C. Brassington: honorary acoustical engineer, Mr J. A. Sandle.