DUNEDIN HOSPITAL GUILD

Evening Star, Issue 21078, 15 April 1932, Page 4

DUNEDIN HOSPITAL GUILD

FORTIETH ANNUAL MEETING Great interest is still maintained by members in the work of the Dunedin Hospital Guild, which was again able to report a satisfactory year at its fortieth annual meeting held in the First Church Hall yesterday afternoon. Mr James Taylor presided over a large attendance of members. The annual report stated: “In respect to attendance, and also to the amount of work done and distributed, the guild has established a record, and the committee acknowledges with gratitude the interest and faithful work of each individual member. Twelve meetings were held during the year, having an average attendance of fiftytwo. Friendliness and co-operation permeated the gatherings, making them pleasant as well as profitable. Nineteen new members were enrolled, and to them a hearty welcome is extended. The total number of garments made during the season was 689. These were distributed as follow:—To the James Powell Rest Home were sent 68 nighties, 58 pairs of bloomers, 15 vests, 7 dressing jackets, and 3 pairs of bed sox. The Batchelor Hospital received 24 nighties, 16 pairs of bloomers, 2 singlets, 3 baby bed jackets, and 1 pair of booties. Miss M'Nab, the hospital hostess, distributed 32 pairs of bloomers, 25 chemises, 50 nighties, and 20 vests. These were supplied to necessitous cases with which Miss M'Nab came in contact, and many of the recipients expressed their deep indebtedness to the guild for these welcome garments. The children’s ward of the General Hospital received 85 singlets, 21 pairs of shoes, 17 nighties, 5 pairs of booties, 2 crochet jackets, 1 flannel jacket, 1 knitted suit, 2 caps, and 2 woollen balls. Sister Barclay received 57 nighties, 36 vests, 18 pairs of bed sox, and 9 dressing jackets. Besides these usual avenues of work several special cases received attention. Nurse Torrance was supplied with two flannel nighties for a ca® of rheumatism, and through Mrs Asi another case of urgent need received the following garments;—Two nighties, 2 pairs of bloomers, 2 vests, anl a bed jacket. The Dowling street depot was sent the following articles for distribution :—One dozen nighties, on* dozen pairs of bloomers, and one doien vests. These were subsequently gratefully acknowledged. We have now a membership of 179, including five geitlemen. Last year seven members resigned and three were removed by death. Our president learned indirectly that the matron of the General Hospital wai anxious to obtain a supply of tray clojhs for the women’s medical ward, so the kindly co-operated with Miss Morris in providing the necessary linen. Mis Glcndinning made the tray cloths mu the members finished them at their holies with crochet borders and an emborlcred D.H. (Dunedin Hospital). Sixty-six attractive cloths were made in this way, and the matron reported that, the patients were delighted with then. A largo number of donations wei) received during the year. The folbwiug ladies are thanked for their

gifts:—Mrs J. Cook (Roslyn), a bed jacket and three baby jackets; Mrs Edward Roberts, tho Misses Medlicott, Henderson and Watt (Oamaru), baby singlets; Mrs Naphtali, Mrs J. Douglas, Misses Mackerras and Smith, bed sox; Miss Callender, booties and _ dressing jacket; Mrs Mondyj nighties; Mrs M'Gowan, two trays; Mrs M'Kerrow and M. S. Holmes, slippers; Master Cook, two woollen balls. The treasurer reports a reinvestment of £2OO in Government debentures. Our grateful thanks are duo to the First Church Deacons’ Court for the use of the hall for our meetings, to Mr James Taylor for his services as auditor and chairman of the annual meeting, to the ladies who supplied the afternoon teas, and to those who dispensed it. We face the year’s work realising that times are difficult, but confident that each member will give her best for her less fortunate sisters.”

The Treasurer (Miss M. Callender) repmed a credit balance of £7 16s Id, There had been a credit cf £22 at the beginning of the year, but the purchase of a great deal more material than usual had brought about the big decrease in the amount in hand. The balancesheet, however, was very satisfactory, she considered.

“ Considering everything, we have reason to be pleased with the position we are in and the work we have done,” said the president (Mrs B. W. Glendinning), in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mrs Spedding seconded the motion. Speaking to the motion, Matron E. P. Tennent, of the Dunedin Hospital, thanked the guild for the interest it had taken in needy cases and its gifts of garments, not forgetting the tray cloths presented to the hospital. Sister Barclay (representing the district nurses of the St. John Ambulance) and Mrs E. G. Adams (James Powell Rest Home) also expressed thanks for the guild’s contributions of garments and valued assistance.

The motion was carried, “ Your self-denial and self-sacrifice in attending the guild’s meetings and working for such a worthy cause have been repaid by the many thanks expressed by representatives of the institutions you have assisted. Knowing your work is appreciated should spur you on to make further efforts for the poor and needy during the coming year,” said the Chairman. The election of office-bearers resulted President, Mrs R. W. Glendinning; vice-presidents Mesdames Spedding and H. Reid; committee— Mesdames Ash, Benjamin, R. S. Brown, Greenslade, Romison, and Stephens, and Misses Adams and Davidson; treasurer, Miss M. Callender; secretary, Mrs David Todd.