GREYMOUTH PLUNKET SOCIETY

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 October 1945, Page 8

GREYMOUTH PLUNKET SOCIETY

: ANNUAL MEETING 'The Mayor, Mri F. A. Ktichingham, presided at the annual meeting of the Gr’eymouth Branch of the Plunket Society, held yesterday, when, in addition to the committee, representatives attended from Hokitika, Runanga and Brunner branches. Prior to the meeting Mrs. J. O’Brien a member of Dominion Council, placed in the rooms a photograph of the late Sir Truby King, founder of the Society, which had been presented to the Branch by Mrs. Cecil Wood, of Christchurch. . The President (Mrs. Dennehy) introduced Miss Lusk, Nursing Adviser to the Council, who was making her first visit to the Coast since her appointment. Miss Lusk expressed pleasure at meeting the committee and delegates and congratulated the Branch on its fine rooms. She noted that Greymouth was holding its 20th annual meeting and would attain its majority next year. In contrast to bygone days, today people were Plunket minded and helped generously in the work of the SQciety. Plunket nurses, stated Miss Lusk, were highly trained, having first to have obtained their general nursing certificates before undergoing Plunket training. Many had their maternity certificates also, and some midwifery. At Dunedin training centre 25 were trained each term of four months, but even with these numbers the Society could not kepp up with the demand for extra nurses, particularly in the North Island, where branches were flourishing. The course was severe and intensive and embraced all stages from the newborn babes to the nursery school age, and dealt with both sick and normal children, so that when a nurse took up district work she was well-fitted to advise mothers on tiro care and feeding of their children. Too many people thought that Plunket was a diet.'. This was an error. The aim was to have babies breast-fed, with which no artificial feeding, however perfect, could compare. Feeding was only one of the 12 essentials of the Plunket system. She concluded by asking if any member desired to question her concerning the points she had made, or on any matter concerning the nurses. Mrs. Parflit enquired whether Miss Lusk considered there was room, for a separate branch at Hokitika, Mrs. McIntyre (Hokitika), stating that there were difficulties due to finance and travelling distances. Miss Lusk stated she thought Hokitika could form a branch an,d she would send particulars of finance and procedure on her return. The district as now constituted was too big for two nurses. Mrs. O’Brien thanked the Branch for their support and nomination to the Dominion Council, an honour which she-appreciated. ANNUAL ELECTIONS The annual report and balance sheet were received and adopted on the motion of Mrs. Boucher and Miss Anderson.

The election of officers resulted:— President: Mrs. F. M. Dennehy. VicePresidents: Mesdames J. O’Brien, F. A. Kitchingham, M. W. Olson and A. J. Fairmaid. Executive: Mesdames F. A. Kitchingham, J. O’Brien, E. Parfitt, A. J. Fairmaid, and M. W. Olson. Committee: Mesdames Leahy, McKechnie, Blair, Roud, Parfitt, Fahey, Boucher, Walters, Lovell, Joyce, Coleman, Hughes, Shankland, Miss Anderson. Advisory Board: Drs. W. McKay, J. F. C. Moore, W. A. .Bird, H. S. Ray, D. M. Logan, G. A, Andrae; Messrs J. O’Brien, M.P., F. A. Kitchingham, W, Meldrum, J. W. Greenslade, L. D. McGlashan, A. M. Jamieson and P. Coll. Hon. Secretary: Mrs. K. McCarthy (re-elected). Hon. Treasurer: Mr. E. Parfitt (re-elected). Hon. Auditor: Mr. P. C. Heaphy (reelected). Hon. Solicitor: Mr. J. AV. Hannan (re-elected). Hokitika Representatives: Mesdames Mclntyre and Stevens; Reefton, Mesdames McElwee and Dellaca; Runanga, Mesdames Spiers and Cairney; Brunner, Mesdames Wylde and Coates. Iknmatua, Ross, Blackball and Hari Hari committees did not submit nominees’ narn es.

Appreciation was recorded of the services of the following members who had resigned: Mesdames J. M. Bunt, J. Griffin and J. M. Macaulay. A’t the conclusion of the meeting the President entertained those .present, at. afternoon tea.

RUNANGA BRANCH A “social evening, in aid of the Plunket Society, was held recently, in the Druids’ Hall. Items were given by the W.E.A. Drama Circle and the Men’s Debating Club. Mr H. Boots was the soloist. Master G. Soster gave a violin solo. The monthly meeting was held on Tuesday. Arrangements were made to hold the annual house-to-house collection. Mesdames Spiers and Cairney were elected delegates to the Greymouth annual meeting,