PLUNKET SOCIETY SEEKS INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23316, 27 July 1950, Page 9

PLUNKET SOCIETY SEEKS INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP

The Gisborne branch of the Royal Society for the Health of Women and Children (Plunket Society) elected a new president at its annual general meeting on Monday in consequence of the retirement of Mrs. J. O. Musgrave, who had held the office for the past six years.

The new president is Mrs. J. Greenstreet, formerly a vice-president for several years. Her predecessor was elevated to the post of patroness, sharing this office with Mesdames I. Puflett and J. Blair. Retiring President's Valued Work

The Mayoress. Mrs. N. H. Bull, presided at the opening of the meeting and referred with regret to the absence of Mrs. Musgrave owing to illness. Mrs. Bull paid a warm tribute to the energy and untiring interest of the retiring president in the work of the society, in which she had held executive membership for a number of years before her election as president six years ago. The annual report stated that the society had a record credit balance of £256 8s 3d, this sum almost balancing the return from the annua! flower day appeal, which also constituted a record for the branch. The co-operation of flower-sellers and of the public in connection with the annual appeal was warmly appreciated. During the past year, the report stated, the branch had the full-time services of two nursing sisters. Thanks were extended to Sisters Preston and Rossiter for the manner in which they had carried out their work. The election of Mrs. J. Greenstreet as a member of the Dominion Council was recorded, with congratulations to the Gisborne nominee. Young Mothers’ Interest Wanted In a discussion on the report and balance sheet Mrs. Bull expressed disappointment that more young mothers were not in attendance at the meeting to receive a first-hand impression of the manner in which the society was administered. The membership strength was not what it should be, the Mayoress said. Mrs. A. 11. De Costa suggested a new drive for membership, urging that each member should endeavour to enlist the interest of 10 other members of the community. Satisfaction was expressed in connection with a letter from the trustees of the late Mr. Edwin Green, indicating that a bequest of £IOO from the estate would be available shortly to the society. While the election of officers was under discussion Mrs. G. Robertson supported the Mayoress’s tribute to Mrs. Musgrave on the capability and interest she had shown during her successive terms as president. Mrs. Musgrave had been a tower of strength to the society, said Mrs. Robertson, and it had been most pleasant to be associated with her in any work for the mothers and babies of the district. Other members spoke in similar terms and complimented the retiring president’s energy, adding their regrets that her health had occasioned her retirement. Officers For Ensuing Year

Officers elected were:—Patronesses, Mesdames I. Puflett, J. Blair and J. 0. Musgrave: president, Mrs. J. Greenstreet: vice-presidents, Mesdames G. Robertson. A. L. W. Martin, P. Sibley and D. A. Wells: hon. auditor, Mr. C. A. Smith; executive committee. Mesdames C. F. Carter and A. H. De Costa: general committee. Mesdames E. McCulloch, S. B. L. Bowker, W. Newton, J. C. Hill. A. O. Clare. G. H. Dunn, F. Fenwick, K. R. Crarer. Leslie Martin. J. R. Beckett, D. B. Dallas. B. Irvine, and A. Christie. Misses Avenall and Shaw, and Dr. Nina Muir: Te Karaka representatives, Mesdames J. G. Appleton and H. Allen: Manutuke representatives, Mesdames Simpson and C. IT. Williams; Tokomaru Bay representatives. Mrs. K. Oates and Miss K. Beale; Tolaga Bay representatives, Mesdames F. C. Loisel, R. Bartram, and I. L. Barton; advisory board. Messrs. T. Todd. F. Tolerton. J. O. Musgrave and J. Blair, and Drs. A. L. Singer, IT. M. Gunn, and F. Kahlenberg. At a meeting of the general committee following the general meeting, the nurses’ report indicated that 38 new baby cases had been registered, 2G3 visits paid to babies in their homes, and 481 visits paid to the homes of children of pre-school age. Adult visits to the rooms numbered 11, and 102 pre-school children had also been brought or sent to the rooms. Babies under supervision at the time of the report numbered 577.