RED GROSS SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 20778, 28 April 1931, Page 14

RED GROSS SOCIETY

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Red Cross Society, Otago Centre, held yesterday afternoon, was attended by Mr E. A. Rosevear (in the chair), Lady Ferguson, Miss Rattray, Mrs G. R. Ritchie, Mrs Stanley Batchelor, Miss Graham, the Rev. V. G. Bryan King, Messrs C. B. Smith and J. W. Smeaton, and the secretary, Mr E. J. G. Johnston.

Mr Rosevear, on behalf 'of the members, extended a hearty welcome to the Rev. Bryan King. All were very pleased to have their president with them again. Ho also extended a warm welcome to the new members of the committee, Mrs Stanley Batchelor and Airs G. R. Ritchie, whose counsel and assistance ho was sure would be much valued by the executive. Mr King, on behalf of the ladies and himself, sincerely thanked the members for their cordial welcome. While away in the Old Land ho had seen some wonderful things, but there was one thing he would like to refer to at this juncture concerning the Empire Red Cross Conference, When the various reports were brought before the delegates none appeared to evoke as much interest as that one from New Zealand. This showed once again the esteem in which the dominion was held, and the great interest taken in local affairs by the society overseas. A letter of thanks was received from the superintendent, Seacliff Hospital, for comforts supplied. The case of an ex-soldier, who had fallen into illhealth, was brought before the notice of the Committee. Following duo consideration it was decided to refer the matter to the Central Committee.

A satisfactory report on peace time work was received from Sister Kirkpatrick. Classes had been held regularly for health talks, home nursing, and first aid. A. special class had been formed at the Y.W.C.A. for those young women who had limited time. The help of teachers at the various schools made the work much easier. A lecture and demonstration to illustrate generalised home nursing were given in connection with the Home Science Extension Bureau, and the equipment which the bureau required for country work had been procured. The junior circles, in addition to other interests, were making a number of;toys based on designs from Mrs Leary for children in hospital. Columba College forwarded a 1 parcel of children’s . face cloths and feeders for earthquake relief. The Girls’ High School’ juniors made up a number of bags of materials for poor people visited by St. John nurses. Notes on home nursing, first aid, and health principles were being forwarded to Nurse Welby at Suva, Fiji, for Guido classes. At the recent Red Cross Conference at Wellington the chairman, the Hon. Sir R,. Heaton Rhodes, referring to activities during the year, warmly complimented members of the centres for their loyal service. An increase in the number of ex-service men under the society’s care was shown. The society’s representatives reported that men in hospital were being visited as usuol. The number at Wakari had dropped to three. Mrs Batchelor said that the men at Dunedin Hospital, in spite of their ailments and pains, kept wonderfully cheerful, and were pleased to see visitors. The matron at Montecillo reported everything going along smoothly at the home. Three men had been admitted and one discharged. There were fifteen patients in the home,-and the men were very grateful for gifts sent up for their benefit. Lady Ferguson said that the homo was in good order, and everything about the grounds looked very well.