PLUNKET WORK

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 57, Issue 4001, 2 June 1948, Page 6

PLUNKET WORK

PLAINS AND COROMANDEL ANNUAL MEETING HELD OFFICERS FOR YEAR ELECTED The twenty-fifth annual meeting of the Thames branch of the Plunket Society, held recently, was well attended by members, representatives from Ngatea sub-branch also being present.

In her report, the president, Mrs C. H. Poulgrain, paid tribute to the efficient and conscientious work done by the nurse Miss Tuckey throughout the district during the year. The closing of the rooms from December 1 to March 1 owing to the epidemic restrictions had not been allowed to affect the work of the society, as home visiting had been extended, and a system of appointments by telephone organised.

Several staunch workers had resigned during the year. Mrs B. Chapman, an efficient secretary, had severed her connection after four and a-half years of loyal work. Mrs M. Liggins, a life member, who has been treasurer or president for 20 years, had left the district, as also had Mrs Darling, who would now be a member of Ngatea sub-branch. Fortunately the committee had gained several new members who should prove worthy successors. The society regretted the loss by death of Mr E. N. Miller, a member of the advisory board for many years. Finances Sound Financially the Thames branch was in a sound position. The annual house-to-house collections of subscriptions had yielded £l2O and a very successful bring and buy had raised £l3O. These two amounts had helped considerably, along with the Government grants, towards the expenses for the year. The committee paid a tribute to Mrs Jack, who had acted as secretary from November last, as well as carrying out her duties as treasurer, in a most efficient manner. The auditor, Mr V. Rowe, was thanked for his services, also all members and sub-

scribers to the funds and the many friends who had helped in the work. Officers Elected The following officers were elected:— Thames branch: President, Mrs C. H. Poulgrain; vice-presidents, Mesdames H. Purnell, T. McCarroll and T. E. Miller; secretary and treasurer, Mrs W. Jack; executive committee, Mesdames G. Cordes, E. Newman. G. Stephenson, T. Hiddleston, and W. Purchase; committee, Miss Hill and Mesdames V. Rowe, T. Adams, D. Court, G. Brownlee, L. White, McPhail, L. Hall, K. Michelle, I. Galloway, A. Dodd. McKenzie, R. Brown, W. Verran, Jas. Sawyer and A. Ross. Ngatea sub-branch: President, Mrs T. Sydenham; secretary, Mrs D. Dudding; treasurer. Mrs T. Leonard. Turua sub-branch: President, Mrs T. Lowe; secretary, Mrs L. R. Scott; treasurer, Mrs H. R. Baker.

Waitakaruru sub-branch: President, Mrs W. Gordon; vice-president, Mrs A. Henderson; secretary, Mrs E. C. Edens; treasurers, Mesdames Duffin and Broadbent.

Kerepehi sub-branch: President, Mrs I. M. Harvey; secretary and treasurer, Mrs R. J. Wentworth. Coromandel sub-'branch: President, Mrs Inglis; vice-presidents, Mesdames Ward and Deeble; acting secretary, Mrs Macdonald; treasurer, Mrs Eide.

The sub-branches all showed a ' sound financial position. Each branch raised the necessary funds by various means. These branches pay to Thames committee contributions of £2l 6s 8d annually towards the nurse’s salary and a one-fifth share of the car running expenses. Committees at Matatoki and Puriri sent contributions annually for the continuation of the Plunket work in their districts. STATISTICS OF WORK FIGURES FOR THE DISTRICT Statistics of work carried out during the year by Plunket society branches in the Thames, Hauraki Plains and Coromandel districts were given at the annual meeting of the society as follows:— New baby cases: Breast fed 94, complemented 17, aitificially fed 35, total 146. Visits: To homes 610; to rooms, babies 1663, pre-school children 60, adults 1707. Total under supervision: Babies 162, pre-school children 38. Turua New baby cases: Breast fed 25, complemented 2, artificially fed 9, total 36. Visits: To homes 170; to rooms, babies 213, pre-school children 11, adults 221. Total under supervision: Babies 39, pre-school children 9. Kerepehi New baby cases: Breast fed 2, complemented 2, artificially fed 7, total 11. Total under supervision: Babies 10, pre-school children 8. Waitakaruru New baby cases: Breast fed 12, complemented 3, artificially fed 11, total 26. Visits: To homes 138; to rooms, babies 156, pre-school children 4, adults 157. Total under supervision: Babies 20, pre-school children 6. Ngatea New baby cases: Breast fed 22, complemented 2, artificially fed 8, total 32. Visits: To homes 41, to rooms 384, pre-school children 11, adults 288. Total under supervision: Babies 41, pre-school children 5. Coromandel New baby cases: Breast fed 10, complemented 3, artificially fed 11, total 24. Visits: To homes 16; to rooms, babies 124, pre-school children 9, adults 135. Total under supervision: Babies 28, pre-school children 4.