PLUNKET SOCIETY

Grey River Argus, 12 August 1937, Page 5

PLUNKET SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORT. The twelfth annual report for 193637, of the Greymouth Branch of the Royal (N.Z.) Society for the Health of Women and Children records a very successful year. The Secretary (Mrs M. J. Phillips) states: —- During the year various appeals were made to the public and all met with a good response. Two “Bring and Buy” Days were held in the Plunket Rooms, and each resulted in a satisfactory sum being raised. A Photographic Competition also ad deci considerably to the Society’s funds. The annual appeal held in November proved most successful also. We have to thank the Trustees of the Lord Nuffield Fund for a donation of £2O. Whilst both our Nurses were on annual leave they were relieved by Nurse Gee to whom we have to offer our most grateful thanks for the way in which she carried out her duties. The work of the Nurses continues to increase L and the country districts are all visited regularly. Our SubBranches are all progressing steadily and good work is being done in these districts. The Branch was represented at the General Conference, held in Christchurch in November by Mrs M. J. Phillips. We very much regret losing Mesdames Clark and Harris from the Committee during the year, owing to their leaving the district, as both were very active members. During Mrs Dennehy’s leave of absence in the Old Country, Mrs J. O’Brien acted as President, and on various occasions when Mrs O’Brien found it necessary tb oe absent from the district, Mrs Barrett conducted quite a number of monthly meetings. We have to thank our Nurses for making various garments for sale and competition in connection with the various appeals. We have also to thank the Overland Dairy for testing milk free of charge and th? ’bus proprietors for free conveyance of the Nurses. The Nvarses are also worthy of our grateful thanks for their untiring devotion to duty and for maintaining such a high standard of efflviency, their work being greatly appreciated by mothers and the Committee. Our thanks are due to the Committee for their loyal work during the year; to the members of the Advisorj' Board: to the Press for their courtesy in publishing reports of our meetings, and for supporting our appeals in their columns; to Mr E. Warnes, hon. Treasurer; to Mr P. C. Heaphy, hon. Auditor; to the local bodies for their support; to our subscribers, and all others who have helped us in any way. Finally, we appeal to all mothers who can do so, to become members of the Society.

PLUNKET NURSES’ REPORT. Nurses Turner and Robinson report as follows:—We have the pleasure of reporting on the work of the past year. This year has shown a marked increase in the numbers attending the rooms, both town and out-stations, which is very gratifying considering the bad weather experienced. The health of the babies during the year has been good, the majority thriving well. During the year six of our babies were sent to the Karitane Hospital, with very satisfactory results. In Hokitika and Runanga, the work progresses steadily. Kumara’s numbers have shown a marked increase in the last few months, which is encouraging. Reefton is still visited fortnightly, and Blackball monthly, and the work goes on quietly and steadily. The work has increased greatly in the Taylorville-Dobson district, and the Nurse at present spends a busy day there. Districts on the Otira Line from Kotuku to Te Kinga are visited monthly. In the other districts, Ross, Harihari, Ahaura, Ngahere, where we have no rooms, home-nursing is continued. We are grateful to the Sisters and staff of the different Nursing Homes; also to Nurses in private practice, for enabling us to get in touch with the mothers whom we would not otherwise see, as so many go straight home to the country. We wish to thank the members of our Committees for their kindness and consideration, also all those mothers and friends for hospitality shown to the Nurses. We would also thank McGlashan’s Motors for free conveyance of Nurse to Blackball, also the Overland Dair.v Coy., for free testing of milk. FIGURES FOR YEAR ENDING MARCH 31st, 1937. Total No. of visits to homes: Greymouth 1814; out-stations 2104; total 3918. Total No. of visits paid to rooms:—Greymouth, adults 3471; babes 2800; pre-school children 750; total 7021. Out-stations, Adults 2585; babes 2283; pre-school children 498; total 5366. Total town and country, 12,387. Total No. of new cases: — Greymouth 163; out-stations 213; total 376. No. of older children under supervision 11§; letters of advice 128; telephone calls 394. No. of babies in each district:—Greymouth 181, Hokitika 83, Reefton 27, Runanga 27, Kumara 18, Blackball 22, Ngahere 6, Ahaura 5, Stillwater 2, Ross 12, Harihari 8, Taylorville-Wallsend-Dobson 29, Kotuku-Moana-Ruru-Te Kinga 17. Total 437. No. of babies breast-fed when first seen 286; No. of babies complemented 44; No. of babies artificially fed 46. Total 376.

SUB-BRANCH REPORTS. Hokitika: —During the year the work of the Society has progressed steadily. The only change in membership was the departure of Mrs J. L. Menzies in August. Mrs Alon Carr was welcomed to the Committee at the December meeting. The monthly meetings of the Committee have been well attended. A very successful bridge evennig was arranged by mem-, bers of the Committee; also several social afternoons. Bring and Buy Sales held at the Rooms were well supported, especially the sale arranged and managed by the Plunket mothers. The Rest Room continues to prove a great convenience to country mothers and visitors, as is evidenced by generous contributions to “Rooms Donation Box.” Nurse Turner has given valued assistance to the mothers of this district. Visits to the office show a marked increase in spite of the continued bad weather experienced during the year. Nurse Turner has been relieved on several occasions by Nurse Gee. As a result of subscriptions and monies raised by special efforts the balance-sheet shows a small credit balance on the year’s working. Our thanks are due to Kanieri Electric Coy., Ross SubBranch and Mrs M. Moore, for donations- to Koiterangi W.1., for gift of baby garments; to Mrs Wilson and Mrs Eade for gifts for competitions; Mr Frank Fane for alterations to

street fence at rooms; Mrs Henderson for attending to opening and closing of Rooms daily; Mr Drummond for keeping the lawn in order; Mrs Paterson, for sale of emulsions; and the “Guardian” Office for courtesy in printing notices. Nurse’s Report:— Visits to Sub-Branch 101; visits to homes: —Old 439; new 108. Total 547. No. of visits to office:—Adults 1467; babes 1320; older children 231. Total 3018. New cases 67; babes under Supervision 83.

Reefton: —We have much pleasure in reporting our Sub-Branch has had a successful year. The membership has increased. Our thanks are due to Plunket. Nurse Robinson for her constant attention. We hope the year 1937 will continue in the good results as in the past. Nurse Robinson’s report reads as follows: The general health of babes has been good and progress satisfactory. Figures for attendance at the Rooms have fallen this year, due to a large extent to the fact that an unusually big proportion of new cases seems to be from outlying districts, where mothers can pay only irregular visits when opportunity offers. Nevertheless the number of babes under our care remains much the same. My grateful thanks are due to the Committee, and especially to Mrs Wicken for her unfailing kindness and hospitality throughout the year, which make a big difference to the pleasure of my work in Reefton. No. of visits to Branch 25; No. of visits to Homes, old 92, new 20; total 112; No. of visits to Rooms, adults 270, babes 241, older children 31; total 542; No. of new cases 26; No. under supervision, babes 27, older children 10. Runanga: We have pleasure in presenting the ninth annual report of the Runanga Sub-Branch of the Plunket Society for the year ending 31st March, 1937. The result of the annual house-to-house collection, in and of the Society’s funds was most gratifying, and our thanks are due to all those who so willingly subscribed. The Garden Party held in the grounds of Mr and Mrs A. Hildebrand was also very well patronised. We also wish to thank the Women’s Institute for their kind donation, which was greatly appreciated. During the year, the exterior of the building was painted; also the coal stove was removed and sold, being replaced by an electric radiator. Our membership this year, shows a slight increase, a greater percentage of mothers becoming members. This is most gratifying to the Committee, and we trust that next year, there will be a still larger membership. It is also pleasing to note the assistance given the Committee by contributions placed in the collection box installed in the rooms. We wish to thank Nurse Robinson for her excellent services, which are greatly appreciated by mothers and by the Committee. In conclusion we would like to thank Mrs W. Southward for inany services rendered, the Press, our auditor (Miss Richmond), our members, our loyal Committee, and all those who have helped us in anv way. Nurse Robinson reports as follows:’—The year has been a very satisfactory one. The great majority of mothers have been very regular in their attendance at the Rooms, a fact which greatlv assists the Nurse in her oversight of the babes. In general. the health of both babes and older children has been good and all are thriving well. I would like to thank members of the Committee for the obvious interest they have shown in the work, and for many courtesies extended to me on my visits. No of visits to Branch 52; No. of visits to homes: —Old 316; new 68. Total 384. No. of visits to rooms:—Adults 636; babes 528; older children 128. Total 1292. No. of new cases 25; No. under supervision:—Babes 27; older children 16.

Harihari: Nurse Turner submits the following report of the work in the Harihari District for the year ending March 31st, 1937;—N0. of visits <o District 12; No. of visits to homes 146; New cases for year 6. The health and progress have been satisfactory. I wish to thank all those who have shown hospitality to myself and Relieving Nurse. Blackball:—The following are the figures for the Nurse’s work in Blackball for the year ending March 31st, 1937: —No. of visit sto Branch 12; No. of visits to homes:—Old 38; new 9. Total 47. No. of visits to rooms:— Adults 157; babes 130; older children 66. Total 353. No. of new cases 21; No. under supervision:—Babes 22; olde rchildren 9. Ro SS ;-We have met quarterly and have had 12 visits from Nurse Turner and Nurse Gee, who relieved Nurse Turner when on her annual leave. One hundred and eighty-seven visits were paid to the different homes and the Nurses’ visits were much appreciated by the mothers. The work of the Society still continues to increase, there being eight new cases for the year. We made donations to Hokitika sub-Branch and Karitane Hospital. Christchurch. A series of euchre tournaments were conducted during the year. We regret to report the departure of our energetic SecretaryTreasurer, Mrs O’Connell. She was very enthusiastic over anything pertaining to Plunket work. She also attended to the sales of emulsion, etc. and she will be greatly missed. She was really the promoter of the Ross Sub-Branch. In conclusion, I would like to thank Mrs Ross Jones for taking over the sales since Mrs O’Connell left, and also Mrs Peebles for acting as Secretary: also the members for billeting the Nurses, and Committee members for their loval support, and Mr Peebles for auditing the balancesheet. Nurse’s Report: —Nurse Turner’s report of the work in the Ross District for the year ending March 31st. 1937. reads as follows: —No. of visits paid to District 12; No. of visits naid to homes 187; new cases for year ;8. During the year the health and j progress of the babies and older chili dren have been most satisfactory.

BALANCE SHEETS. Greymouth Branch: — For year ending March 31st, 1937:—Receipts:— Balance Union Bank 1/4/36 £292 12s lid; Balance P.O. S. Bank £ll9 Os 3d; Balance Runanga Sub-Branch Trust Funds £4O; Annual subscriptions £56; Contributions, Local Authorities, £49 10; Donations, including proceeds concerts, etc. £l2B 16s 3d; Contributions from Sub-Branches £165 10s; Grant from Government £261 19s lid; Sales Karitane products £66 13s lid; Refund travelling expenses £4 ss; Interest P.O. Savings Bank £4 15s sd. Total £llB9 4s - , , • Expenditure:—Nurses’ salaries £472 18s lid; Nurses’ travelling expenses £6 11s 8d; Rent, cleaning, light, fuel, etc £B2 3s 2d; Printing, stationery, postage, etc. £39 8s sd; Purchase Karitane products £52 12s 9d; Contributions to H.O. expenses £44 7s 6d; Levy for Society’s Contributions to superannuation fund £ll Os 6d; Balances —-Union Bank £315 19s sd, P.O.S. Bank £123 15s 8d; Runanga

Branch trust fund £4O. Total £479: 15s Id. . ! Assets; —-Cash in Union Bank andj P.O.S. Bank £479 15s Id; Equipment! £6O 10s 6d; Less ten per cent, depreci-| ation £6 Is; Karitane Products, books, i etc. £lO 10s Bd. Total £544 15s 3d. j Runanga:—Receipts —Cash in hand £3 2s 3d; Cash in bank £62 17s 3d; Annual subscription £7; Donations (Runanga W.1.; Mrs T. E. Kennedy; Mr T. E. Kennedy) £1 8s 6d; House-to-1 House collection £l5 13s 9d; Garden! Party (Hilderbrand) £3 14s 3d; Collec-I tion box 2s 7d; Sale of stove 10s; In-1 terest £1 5s sd. Total £95 14s. Expenditure:—Part 1935-36 Quota£lB; Yearly quota, 1936-37 £35; Sta-i tionery £1; Electric lighting and re-1 pairs £1 9s 2d; Ledgers 6s; Polish, etc. (Rooms) 3s 2d; Radiator £2 ss; Paint £4 8s; Sundries (Garden Party) 7s lOd; Insurance 16s; Cash in hand £3 16s 2d; Cash in bank £2B 2s Bd. Total £95 14s. Hokitika: —Receipts—Credit balance brought forward £llB 12s sd; Subscriptions £l4 15s; Donations £9 14s 6d; Slot at Rooms £1 8s sd; Donation box (Rooms) £2 Is; Karitane products £4l 4s 9d; Proceeds competitions £lB 18s 9d; Individual collection boxes £1 13s 4d; Proceeds, bring and buy days £l3 15s 7d; Proceeds, bridge evening £6 Ils 9d; Rent from Girl Guides 10s; Proceeds, play-reading afternoon £5 5s 9d; Bank interest £3 4s 3d. Total £237 15s 6d. Expenditure:—Repairs D. K. Streeter 8s 6cl; Electric light account £1 10s 7d; Gas account £1 10s; Rent, Lands Department £1 16s; Karitane products £39 18s; Quota, Greymouth: March 1936, £35; year 1937, £7O, £105; Perry

and Coy, Exps. Competition 10s; Insurance Premium (half-year) 18s 3d; Cash in bank £B4 14s Id; Cash in hand 11s 6d. Total £237 15s 6d. Assets: —Credit balance 31/3/37 £B4 14s Id; Premises Sewell Street £246 Furniture £l5; Karitane products £7. Total £326 14s Id. Harihari: —Receipts—Balance in bank 1/4/37 £8 4s 7d; Collections £7 3s; Children’s ball £5. Total £2O 7s 7d. Expenditure:—Quota to Grey branch £10; Cash to Grey Branch £10; Cash in hand 7s 7d. Total £2O 7s 7d. Blackball: —Receipts,l936 —March 1 Cash in hand £lO 0s lid; Subscriptions £2 Is; Money from box 4s 6d;. 1937 —March subscriptions 15s; Raffle £1 3s; Interest 5s 9d. Total £l5 0s 2d. Expenditure:—Quota to Greymouth Branch £l5 0s 2d. R os s:—Receipts—Balance brought forward £8 Ils; Donations £1 Ils, Members’ subscriptions £6; Refund £1 14s; Euchres £3 10s. Total £2l 9s 2d. Expenditure: —Quotas to Greymouth £5; Donation Karitane Hospital £1 Is; Donations, Hokitika £1 Is; Credit P.O. Bank £8 3s 2d; Cash in hand £5 14s 3d. Total £2l 9s 2d.

Reefton: —Receipts—Cash in hand £7 16s 9d; Cash in Post Office £5 11s 9d- Donations £4 9s; Subscriptions £5 15s. Total £23 12s 6d. Expenditure:—Quota to Greymouth Branch £9 10s; Rent for Plunket Rooms £1 10s; Quota to Greymouth £9 10s; Balance—Cash in hand 8s 9d; Cash in Post Office £2 6s 9d. Total £23 12s 6d.

Assets: —Cash in hand 8s 9d; Cash in Post Office £2 6s 9d; Scales £6 19s 4d. Total £9 14js lOd.