FRIENDS OF ST. HELENS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25810, 23 May 1949, Page 2

FRIENDS OF ST. HELENS

ANNUAL REPORT A record of useful work during the year, including relief for mothers and babies in Britain, is contained in the twelfth annual report of the Friends of St. Helens, to be presented at the •annual meeting this week. At St. Helens Hospital in Christchurch afternoon teacups for patients were supplied by the Friends, who stocked the matron’s cupboard with clothing for mothers and babies. These garments are given to mothers who enter the hospital inadequately supplied with clothes for themselves and their babies. * £

One member (Mrs Myrhe), the report says, supplies traycloths for use in the hospital. Christmas gifts for patients, nursing and domestic staff were supplied by the Friends, who also provided cakes at Easter. “We have continued to send parcels of food and clothing to Queen Charlotte Hospital and food parcels to the Soldiers’, Sailor#’ and Airmen’s Families Association, Glasgow.” says the report. ./‘Two hundred an.i six food parcels and 49 Christmas cakes were packed by members of the committee at the hospital and sent at a total cost of £79 9s. plus postage £3l 6s 9d. A parcel of clothing was also sent to Robin Neilson, a former patient at Queen Charlotte’s. He is an invalid whose mother is a widow.” In addition the Friends of St. Helens under the Save the Children fund sponsor two destitute children in Eurone. It is noted with pleasure that two nurses at St. Helens Hospital tied for top of New Zealand in the State midwifery examinations. They received gifts of books from the r riends.

OBITUARY SISTER MARY MECHTILDES The death occurred at St. Mary’s Convent. Manchester street north, on Friday, of Sister Mary Mechtildes. formerly of the Convent of Merer. Greymouth, aged 86 years. Born in England, she erme to New Zealand' as a child with her father and settled in Greymouth. For a number of years she taught at the Greymouth State School and entered the Convent of Mercy at Greymouth in 1886. In 189-' she . went to St. Mary’s Convent Christchurch, where she remained until her death. She celebrated the diamond jubilee of her entry into the convent several years ago. A member of the well-known Taylor family. Sister Mary Mechtildes ir survived by one sister. Mrs C Smith (Christchurch). Mrs F. A. Kitchtngham and Mrs W. Cunningham (Timaru) are nieces and Mr H. B Smith (GreymoHttH is a flgphew. The buria' will nt fhe Waimafrl cemetery. Christchurch, this morning afte’ Requiem Mass at st: Mary's Church.

MISS E. VITAGLICH Miss E. Vitaglich. who died suddenly at her home in Russell street. Westport. on Friday, at the age of 60 was one of Westport’s best-known citizens and was the last of a family that had lived in Westport for many years. She was an energetic worker for the Westport Municipal Band and Westporl Volunteer Fire Brigade and during the two world wars she. with her elder sister. Miss C. Vitaglich. was associated with the Red Cross SocWv and Lady Liverpool Guild and worked hqrd for oatnotic ourposes. Sho was a’«o interested in Rufbv football and was r life member of the old Rival Club M which her late brother. Mr S. Vltaelich. was a foundation member. There are no other members of he: family living.