PLUNKET SOCIETY

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24581, 1 June 1945, Page 2

PLUNKET SOCIETY

WOOLSTON SUB-BRANCH At the annual meeting of the Woolston sub-branch of the Plunket Society held recently, Nurse Merton traced the rapid growth of the society’s work in the district. Three years ago, she said, the Plunket nurse was engaged for one halfday each week; now three half-days each week were necessary to cope with the number of mothers and babies attending the society's rooms. Pre-school children were also seen by appointment. In endorsing Nurse Merton’s remarks, Mrs Cecil Wood (president, Christchurch branch) spoke not only of the Plunket nurses' work in saving the babies, but also of the help given the mothers in looking after themselves. The nurse’s report for 1944-1945 was as follows:—visits to rooms;—Woolston: 24, mothers 661, babies 659, children 1, new cases 49; Aldwin's road; visits to rooms 76, mothers 1255, babies 1151, pre-school children 136, new cases 90. The following officers were elected:— president, Mrs H. J. Quarrell; vice-presi-dent, Mesdames N. Coburn and E T. Melhuish; honorary secretary and treasurer. Mrs H. D. Bell; committee. Mesdames Snell, Elliott, Harvey, Walklin. Brittenden. Laurence. Cassan, Benn, and Fergusson.