PLUNKET SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 175, 20 April 1929, Page 28

PLUNKET SOCIETY

HATAITAI SUB-COMMITTEE ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Hataitai Sub-Committee of the Wellington branch of the Plunket Society wan held on Thursday evening. There wa» a large and representative attendance, Mr. Leigh Hunt being in the chair. Among the visitors were: Lady Hosking, Sir Truby and Miss Mary King; Dr. and Mrs. Derrick, Mrs. James and Mrs. Sotham (president and secretary of the Northland Sub-Committee), Mrs. Hall, Miss Barnett, and Miss Cameron, of the Central Committee, Miss Mitchell, charge nurse, Miss Ward, secretary, and Mrs. Porter, of the Women’s National Reserve. The president, in her report, spoke feelingly of the great loss the sub-committee had sustained in the death of their secretary (Mrs. D. Hunt), who had ’ worked so untiringly knd devotedly for the cause. The Plunket nurse (Miss Stephenson) had had a busy year. In the Hataitai rooms alone she had interviewed 1312 adults, 1139 babies, and 197 older children. Of the 2425 visits to the homes a large proportion were paid in and around our district, and of the ISS' new cases Hataitai contributed 76. The balance-sheet showed the total receipts for the year to be £95 Os. Sd. Of this, £45 Os. Id: came in direct subscriptions and donations, and £5O Os., 7d. through special efforts. The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mrs. Ardell, seconded by Miss Peach. Dr. Derrick dealt in a most comprehensive manner with the work of child welfare, and traced the growth of the society from a small beginning 22 years ago to the wonderful organisation of to-day. He. pointed out very forcibly, how important it was to continue the educative work not only among the young mothers but amongst the whole community. Sir Truby King, who followed, said he was quite confident that he had chosen the right man as colleague and successor to control the affairs of the society. He also described in a very interesting speech his experiences of ‘ the growth of the society in Great Britain, France and Canada during his recent travels abroad and how eager the people of these countries were to obtain more information about the system. He concluded his speech by paying a tribute to Lady Hosking, Mrs. Tythe Brown and Miss Peach, for the loyal support they had given over a long period of years. He also congratulated the Hataitai branch for the great enthusiasm that was evident , in the well-attended meeting.

Lady Hosking then spoke of some of the early difficulties of the society, and of the inspiration and genius of the founder, who encouraged the members to press on and urged that the same loyalty be given to Dr. Derrick.

Rev. J. H. Sykes, in very appreciative terms, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers. This was seconded by Mr. Leigh Hunt, who urged that the suggestion (made by Dr. Mcßae last year) re procuring a “Baby” car for the nurse be put in effect.

Mrs. Mcßae proposed a vote of thanks to Miss Stephenson, and said she thought the car was a real necessity. Most of the nurse’s work lay on hilly country, and it was beginning to tell on the nurse. Later the men in the audience took up the matter enthusiastically. The evening was interspersed by much appreciated musical items rendered by Miss Eileen Kimball and Miss Buckmaster.

The usual votes of thanks were passed, and a dainty supper brought a very pleasant evening to a close. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs.' Tythe Brown; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Carswell; vice-presidents, Mesdames E. H. M. Luke, M. M. Mcßae, and Leigh Hunt; committee, Mesdames Ardell, Dixon, Chapman, Dixon, Edwards, Gordon, Griffiths, Richards; Auxiliary Committee, Mesdames Aulin, Bolland, Clark, Eanselow, Leigh Hunt, Talbot, Mincher, and Wilson; Advisory Board, Messrs. Leigh Hunt, Ardell, Drs. Luke. Mcßae, and Tennent. ■