WOMEN'S WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 18

WOMEN'S WORK

ALEXANDRA HOME

NEED FOR NEW BUILDING

The.s7th annual report, of the Alexandra Home states that the-.work, has ! gone on 'smoothly. ana satisfactorily during the past- year. Twenty-two j nurses have, been in the hospital for training, and all-passed the -State examination. This, it is stated, makes the busiest year in this direction since the' hospital started.: An interesting statement, made is to' the,'.',effect that 340 married women have.been to the hospital part for their confinements, and 54, unmarried women to the home part. Ante-natal clinic attendances included 265 new cases and 1586 return cases—showing the extensive value the clinic is. to mothers. In connection with the home it is'said that, although accommodation for seven girls has been added, the home has been full'for''the greater part of the year. It would seem that still' greater facilities are needed to conveniently meet the home's requirements. ; With the increasing number of applications from girls—unmarried expectant mothers—the committee feels that a more convenient modern'home should be built to replace the old wood :n building at present occupied by the girls and their babies. Of the infants which left the home during the year 16 were taken by the girls to their own homes, 7 were boarded out in registered homes, 10 were adopted-into good private homes. 2 were committed to the State, 5 to the Home of Compassion, and 4- to St. Barnabas • Home. "The gift of a wireless set for the hospital was received from the husband .of a patient ; wW was grateful for the attention his wife had received —he also gave one for the girls' home," states the report. "Both are giving great pleasure—the one to the patients. and staff the other to the girls—and the committee thank the giver. A donation bf sixty books from the Chief Librarian of the Public Library Has also proved' most acceptable. We 7are gradually getting together an interesting collection of books, good-class ' fiction, travel, etc., which the girls appreciate and enjoy reading. Further donations of books to the library are invited. :■: ■:• "Our thanks are due to the Press for kindly articles, the Wellington Hospital, clergymen and others who - take services, and to Messrs. Izard, Weston, Stevenson, and Castle, hon. solicitors. "It is very pleasant to have to report that the Alexandra Home, was included in the distribution of the money Lord Nuffield asked the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) to undertake. We thank Lord Nuffield very gratefully and also the Mayor, • "We wish to thank those people who made donations in kind:—Messrs. Luxford and E. Miles, ; Townsend arid Paul, J. Jennings, • Denhard, Ltd., Petone Working Men's Club, Miss G. Nathan, F." Cooper, Ltd., "A Friend," Napier, "A Friend,"'Masterton, N.Z. -Fisheries, Ltd., ■' Westport • Coal Co,'<: Ji - Knight, Two-garment 'Society, St. - Mary of the Angels'': Ladies' -Guild,-, the York-..Bay. Ladies' Sewing Guild, Dickens Fellowship Sewing Circle.. Mrs.'Coutts. Smith

Family, and various friends; clothing for girls and babies* Mr. Guise, papering of convalescent ward :in Girls', Home."

LEVIN MEMORIAL HOME,

A satisfactory repbrt comes from the Levin Memorial Home for the 42rid time. The report states: "The average number of girls in the home throughout the year has been 25, and they obtain ih the home a-training and equipment for their duty as citizens of New Zealand which- otherwise would be denied them."

The need for improvements is mentioned. The quite urgent necessity for a "sick bay" which, was mentioned in the last report has been provided by means of a donation from the Macarthy Trust and a generous legacy from the late Mrs. Stace. Through.,. the generosity of Lord. Nuffield the committee has been able to make a start with the equipment of a play area,: Thanks are given to those, who have had to do with the awarding of these, acceptable gifts. Kegret at the passing of Lady Luke is expressed, as she always took a keen interest in the work and was a generous friend. The loss of Mr. Judd (secretary of the Ladies' Wellington Christian Association) .is also regretfully mentioned. The death of Mrs. Albert Stace also was a great loss. .

Appreciation of the work of the matron (Mis? Richardson)' is expressed,- and a good report given of the high standard of education provided for the girls which has enabled them to pass various examinations with credit and success. Many friends are thanked for organising sales and entertainments for the benefit of the home, and the Rev. F: A. Tooley and Dr. Kemp are specially thanked for kind attention. The Press is also thanked for' giving regular reports of the work done. : Throughout the year the committee has been gratified at receiving donations'in money and kind from sympathetic helpers. The committee specially mentions the- following:—Twogarment Society, N.Z. Fisheries, Mr. Yates, Mr. Elliott, Welfare DeDartment, Health Department, Dental Clinic, St. Giles' Bible Class, - Wellington East Girls' College, Baptist Church (Berhampore), Denhard Bakeries, Spinster Club, St. Mark's Church School, St. Cuthbert's Guild, Easter harvest festival off erinus from St. Jude's Church and St. Cuthbert's (Berhampore), Messrs. Young, White, and Courtenay, and Mr. J. F. B. Stevenson (legal advisers).