EMPIRE NURSERIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 78, 1 April 1936, Page 19

EMPIRE NURSERIES

DOMINION AND ENGLAND

WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE

The interest .taken-in the work of the Women's National Reserve Residential Nursery (Inc.) was reflected in-the-large attendance at the annual meeting held at the Pioneer Club yesterday. Mrs. L. 0.. H. Tripp, president, was in the chair, and others present included Mrs. Peter Fraser. TEAK'S WORK REVIEWED. The report stated that the year was a particularly busy one, 210 children of varying ages having been in resiJ dence, which meant that they had to, be fed, clothed, and cared for day and night. In common with other similar societies the nurseries had felt the stress of the times, and the report recalled the remarks-of Dr. Agnes Bennett at- the nursery meeting last year when she said that for 14 years the nursery had been progressing unostentatiously, and through the years of depression it had not cut down any of

its benefits. The .lean years had meant extra hard work on the part of the fine body of workers. The Wellington South Circle had been reorganised,by the president and treasurer (Mrs.1 Frank Smith), who had recently held a most successful meeting. Mrs, Peterson, the retiring treasurer, was /welcomed back after her world tour.' Appreciation was expressed of the work of Miss Wiltshire,''who had carried out the duties of treasurer during Mrs. Peterson's .absence, and, at the latter's request,' had' agreed to continue for another-year.-Mrs. Tripp congratulated the executive and all the officers, members, and supporters of the various branches on the work they had done, and thanked them for their efforts. A tribute was also paid to the matron (Miss McKibbin) for her able administration and devotion to the difficult work she had undertaken and carried out with conspicuous success. The steadfastness and devotion to duty of Sister McWhirter was also placed on record. WOEK HEBE AND AT "HOME." Mrs. Peter Fraser gave great praise to the work done by the nursery, arid mentioned how grateful the mothers were on account of the benefit to the children and themselves in times of sickness received by the admission of the children to the nursery. When she was in Great Britain she made inquiries as to whether institutions run on the same lines,as the Residential Nursery existed there, but she found there were none. There were many maternity and child welfare centres, also day nurseries and nursery schools, but nothing approximating to the Women's National Reserve Residential Nursery. Many interesting activities were connected, with an infant welfare centre and school for mothers in North Islington, including children's clinics, ante-natal and post-natal clinics, health talks, and sewing classes; Since the passing of the Local Government Act in England, there had been an increased demand for nurses, and the centre's scheme for; training, she added, was one of the few that bridged the gap between the time1 a girl left school 'and the time she entered the nursing profession. Pupils were trained in infant care until they were 18 years of age when they were given a certificate, if proficient. The London County Council awarded six new scholarships a year at the centre. Another" activity was the training of "home helps," who were employed to go into the homes and assist mothers who were sick. Miss Molly Atkinson, accompanied by Mrs. Withers, gave much, pleasure by her two songs. ■ ' At the conclusion of the meeting afternoon tea was served, and social intercourse was enjoyed by all.