RED CROSS SOCIETY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 153, 14 June 1932, Page 5

RED CROSS SOCIETY

THE NAPIER CENTRE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. REVIEW OF PAST YEAR. The annual general meeting of the Napier centre of the Red Cross Society was held last evening, when Mr C. O. Morse presided over a large attendance. Apologies for absence were received from Miss J. Spencer, Mr J. S. Barton, His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. Vigor Brown, and Mr M. S. Spence. The annual balance sheet as at March 31 last showed a credit balance of £7O Os 3d, made up as follows:— Special account £25 3s Bd, general account £25 13s Id. trust account £l9 3s fid. Commenting on the activities of the past year, the chairman, Mr Morse, congratulated the society on the extensive work covered during the year. It was pleasing to note that a total of 30,476 garments, representing an amount of £10,034, was distributed to deserving cases throughout the earthquake district. Special mention was made by the speaker of the splendid year’s work done by the secretary, Mr H. Tait, and also to the fine services carried out by Mr A. E. Bedford, the chairman of the society. Both had in a great measure been responsible not only for the present good financial position, bat also for the successful work done in the interests of needy cases. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr M. S. Spence; vice-president, Miss King; executive committee, Messrs A. E. Bedford (chairman), C. O. Morse (deputy chairman), H Large, E. Carrington, J. Harman, IV. Collings, Mesdames H. Clark. J. 11. Oldham, L. S. McClurg, Bowman, Browning, Misses J. Spencer and A White. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the chairman, Mr A. E. Bedford, read as follows: — “The Hawke’s Bay executive committee have pleasure in placing before you its annual report and balance sheet for the year ending March 31, 1932 Practically the whole of the executive’s work foi the year has been directed toward the relief of the sufferers of the earthquake, and in this direction there still remains a good deal of work to be done. The effects of the disaster, occurring as it did, in the midst of acute economic conditions, has made the work of rehabilitation doubly difficult and far-reaching. “It is very difficult to adequately express the appreciation of the people of Hawke’s Bay for the wonderful response —not only by the people within the Dominion, but by the people of the world—for their immediate and unstinted assistance in our hour of need, bearing indelible testimony to the principles underlying the Red Cross movement throughout the world. The practical assistance thus afforded has made possible the relief afforded. “Among other features connected with the year’s work has been the spirit of helpful co-operation of effort extended by all other committees charged with the work of rehabilitation of the people. To Mr J. S. Barton, the Chief Commissioner, we express our gratitude for his sympathy and assistance when matters in connection with our work were placed before him. Also to his Worship the Mayor, Mr J. Vigor Brown, who has done much to ease the burden of relief work from the funds that have been placed at his disposal. THE RELIEF DEPOT. “A relief depot established immediately following the earthquake continues to function in the supply of clothing, etc., to the sufferers. This work has, from the beginning, been of an arduous and exacting nature in order that assistance should be extended as far as possible to all those who needed hili) In this connection we once more feel it our duty to commend the Wellington members controlling the purchases, whose judicious purchasing has enabled the funds available to be extended to the maximum limit. In further reference to the depot, while not being able to enumerate each individual helper at the beginning of the work, the unfailing loyalty and devotion to the work by Mrs A. Collings, Mrs E Clarkson and Mrs R. Hooper cannot be passed over without an expression of appreciation. “In order to assist the closing of the Nelson Park camps the Red Cross, on behalf of the relief committee, opened and controlled a hostel where 20 single men were accommodated. This was carried on until the end of November. Assistance has also been given and still is to the mission house controlled by the Church Army in the provisions for men who are in need of temporary accommodation.

VISITS FROM WELLINGTON. “Members of the Wellington executive have paid several visits to the Hawke’s Bay district with a view to maintaining first hand knowledge of the situation. These gentlemen have never spared themselves in the interests of the stricken people. The visits have been very stimulating to, and appreciated by, the Napier committee, their advice and counsel always displaying the true lied Cross spirit by their desire to serve in the interests of others. “In February last we had the pleasure of a visit from the Hon. Dr. W. E. Collins, C.M.G., M.L.C., who is 100 per cent Red Cross philanthropist. In addressing several meetings in Napier and Hastings ho expressed his concern and sympathy to the people and evinced his desire to establish further Red Cross work, especially among the children. Coincident with Dr. Collins’ visit tho Wellington executive arranged for Sister Lewis to come to Hawke’s Bay giving valuable addresses to the schools and adult meetings with a view to forming various first aid and home nursing classes, and wo have ever” confidence of her work bearing good results in the near future. FIRST AID CLASS. “At Clive, a first aid class, under tho supervision of Mrs Lindsay Gordon, was conducted during the year under review among the native population with excellent results, the class being tutored by Dr. R. Cashmere. Two home nursing and first aid classes with a total membership of 60 have been formed in Napier under the very able convenorship of Miss E. King, the classes being taken by Nurse Hovell,