PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 June 1926, Page 5

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING OF H AAV ERA BRANCH.

REPORTS FROM SUB-BRANCHES

The annual meeting of the Hawera Branch of tlna Royai New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (Plunket Nurse Society) was held in the Borough Council Chambers last night. His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. A. Pacey) presided. The thirteenth annual report recorded a year of steady work and progress. Starting with a debit balance iof £79 7s sd, the executive was able to hand over its affairs in a more flourishing condition. The Plunket rooms built last year had been furnished, and were free from debt. They provided the nurse and the mothers who visited her with great comfort. The sub-branches at Manaia, Opunake and Ivaponga were making good progress. The committee expressed its thanks for the splendid work Nurse Dix was doing ini the town and country. There were still cases of hardship in the district, and gifts of children’s out-grown, garments would be appreciated. During the year presentations from th e committee were made to Mrs J. Tail and, to Mr Jobson for services rendered to'the Society over a number of years'. The assistance of the Rotary Club, with its fireworks display, amounted to £IOO Os 6d. Donations were received from Mrs H. D. Caplin, £4 4s; Mrs One-y Cox, £1 Is; the! Sergeat of Police (petty fines placed in the box at the Police Station), £3 4s 9d. A shop day was held in June, in connection with which a. sheep was given by Mr Railton for a guessing competition, the total proceeds being £2B 17s. The Winter Show Committee again gave space for a rest room. The funds collected at the show amounted to £146 Bs' Id. In December a guessing competition for a lamb donated by Mr E. Dixon produced £ll 2s 9d. The net profits from the annual fete were £BS. The report terminated with expressions of thanks individually to those who had assisted the society in the course of the year. Nurse L. M. Dix stated in her report that the new cases during the year were 691 in all —Hawera 418, Manaia 86, Opunake 93, Kaponga 94; expectant mothers advised 83. The Nurse made 3711 visits to homes, as follows: Hawera 2852. Manaia 341, Opunake 280, and Kaponga 238. The reports- of the sub-hranche.s were included in the main report as follows :

Manaia: This sub-branch reported a most successful year. The attendance at the room was steadily improving, much credit being due to Nurse Dix, who had gained the complete confidence of the attending mothers. Electric light and an electric heater had been installed in the Plunket room. Two street stalls had been held, and tlie branch was in an excellent financial condition.

Kaponga.—The membership steadily increased during the year, the present roll numbering about 32. Noi difficulty had been found, thanks toi the support received, in making the payment of £35 to the Hawera branch. The gross receipts amounted to £6l 7s 6d. and the expenditure to £45 11s 6d. The income was 1 Subscriptions £B, - donations

£ll 4s. proceeds, of a picture screened by the Town Board £l3 17s 6d. Opunake: The report recorded a year of good, work and progress. Early in the year the Rahotu ladies subscribed £23 16s Gd. which, with the proceeds of street marts,, placed the sub-branch in a. fairV strong financial position. The balance-sheet for the Hawera , branch showed a surplus of -assets over liabilities totalling £638 los Id. The statement showed a credit of £S2 17s Bd. AH the -sub-branches had credit balances, namely, Manaia- £62 16s 3d, Kaponga. £ls 16s, Opunake £27 14s Sd. The report and balance-sheet of the Hawera branch was adopted. Mrs M. C. Goodson said she regretted that she was unable to continue in the capacity of president. She thanked the officers -of the society for their assistance, and wished the incoming president and committee every .success. The chairman said the. thanks of the society and the public were due co Mrs Gcodson for the work she had done while in office. These sentiments were supported by'Mrs A. M. Winks and Mr Li. A. Bone’. The meeting resolved' to receive with regret the resignation of Mrs Goodson. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: —Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson; general presidents, Sir Truby King, C.M.G., Lady Truby King; president, Mrs A. M. Winks; vice-presidents, Mesdames E. Godfrey, W. J. Bright, L. A. Bone, *W. Jobson, C. Haggett, E. A. Pacey, M. C. Goodson, J. M. Collins, and C. Hawken; committee. Mesdames A. Thomson, H. G. B-rcdie. W. Davy, A. Hunter, Carter, J. Goodwin, Morris. A. M. Young, A. Corrigan. A. Blair; lion, treasurer, Mrs J. D. Tait; bon. sec. Miss N. L. King; lion, auditor, Mr Crichton; advisory board, Messrs Bright, H. G. Brodie, Gir.anders, W. Jobson, J. M. Oollons, F. C. Spratt,' and L. A. Bone; hon. solicitor. Mr H. G. Brodie. The chairman referred to the excellent work which had been done by the hon.. secertarv. Miss N. E. King, and ■Nurse Dix. li view of t-lieir services, the committee had decided to* pay them a mark of appreciation. Mrs Goodson then handed each lady a cheque. A vote of thanks to- the Mayor for presiding concluded the meeting.