TWO YEARS' WORK

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 65, 9 December 1938, Page 4

TWO YEARS' WORK

Wide Activities Of Women's Notional Reserve

Two years of splendid activity of the Women's National Reserve will be reviewed today at their first annual general meeting since 1936. Last year the president. Mrs. L. 0. H. Tripp, was in England and during her absence Mrs. A. B. Gibbons took her place. The reports of both Airs. Tripp and Mrs. Gibbons show that all branches of the reserve have worked with enthusiasm. Their activities are grouped under three headings—the residential nursery, the soldiers’ and sailors’ memorial cemetery, the welfare or hamper and cheer branch. The work of the residential nursery is widely known, and is valued by many sick mothers whose anxiety with regard to their small children Is removed. Mrs. Tripp’s report states that it was a great relief that, through some generous grants and donations, the mortgage on the buildings was paid off, and though heavy expenses for renovations will have to be met in the not distant future, the executive is sure that the enthusiasm of the committees will rise to the occasion. The matron of the nursery and the sister deserve the thanks of all for their wholehearted devotion to the work. The soldiers’ and sailors’ memorial cemetery committee is continuing its work for the soldiers’ cemetery, Karori, and it is hoped that several more headstones —now on order —may be erected before Christmas. On Anzac Day, under the guidance of members of the W.N.R., the Girl Guides, and Girl Guards, assisted by the Sea Scouts, placed wreaths on all the graves of soldiers and sailors both in the soldiers’ cemetery and in the outlying parts of the general cemetery. The work of the welfare branch is carried out under the supervision of Mrs. Guthrie, president, and Miss Wiltshire, secretary. The object of this branch is to brighten the lives of the women patients of the Porirua Mental Hospital with gifts of and money for picnics and pictures. Their efforts are greatly appreciated both by those in authority at the hospital and the patients. Airs. Tripp's report concludes with thanks to the Government for special grants, the Smith Family, the Rotary Club, Commercial Travellers. Traffic Trust, the U.S.A.. the Press, the hon. medical officer, the hot), auditors. sll those who have helped by subscriptions and goods in kind, and to the organizing secretary, “whose enthusiasm and interest in the work has never faltered, and has been an inspiration to all members of the reserve.’’

The annual meeting will be held today at 2.30 in the Educational Institute rooms, all interested being cordially invited.