RED CROSS SOCIETY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 128, 1 May 1941, Page 4

RED CROSS SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Palmerston .North branch ot the lied Cross Society was held last evening, Mr A. it. McKegg presiding. There was a good attendance of members. There were apologies for absence from the Mayor, Mr A. JO. Mansford (patron), Dr. D. Cook, Mrs ltichardeon (commandant) and others. in speaking to the reports presented. Mr Mcivegg said that good work had been done b.v the different divisions. Everyone had to work hard again this year so that another successiul period could be rocoided; members must not rest on their laurels now. He congratulated the Younger Set on their successful year and spoke 01 the sound position of their finances. The report of the treasurer showed there was a credit balance of £63 17s 10d on the year’s workings. The election of officers resulted:Patron, Mr Mansford ; president, Dr. Duncan Cook; vice-presidents, Dr. Gillies, Miss L. M. Banks, Sister Dalgliesli; executive, Mesdames C. Freyberg, Duncan Cook, Wallace Cook, Briden-Jones, M. A. Eliott, M. Aitchiso.il, Reid, Richardson, Shelley, G. Lyne, Wide and Hewitson, Misses P. Murphy, E. Bedwood, L. Wimsett and N. Smillie, Messrs McKegg, N. H. Sinclair, Reid, Pratt, Kelly and Dili ver; delegates to Manawatu subcentre, Sister Dalgliesli, Mesdames R.cliardson, C. Anderson, and G. Lyne and Mr McKegg; auditor, Mr A. E. Kerslake; class secretary, Mr L. Carrian. Mr McKegg was re-elected chairman of the executive and Mr J. K. Baton secretary and treasurer. Mr McKegg asked that unstinted loyalty lx 1 given to all the officers of the different sections this year. As a token of her excellent services as class secretary, Miss L. Gough, who had given up that post, was the recipient of a presentation from the executive. Mr McKegg said she had discharged her duties in a tireless manner. Appreciation was also expressed of the services of Mr O’Donnell in drilling the members. The chairman made reference to the excellent display of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary on March 20, in l which flic society had co-operated so well.

"it is with great pleasure that I report progress in all branches during the past year,” said the president in his rej>ort. "From the balance sheet it will be seen that we have carried- out our various activities at very little cost,' and the people responsible for raising the necessary money, and those who have contributed by their efforts to avoid outlay, are to be congratulated and thanked for what they have done for such a splendid cause. Never in the history of the Red Cross has the world needed its assistance more, and as members of this great organisation, we have ample reason to feel proud of our society and what it stands for in the world to-day. Whilst we have made some real progress in the number of people we have been aide to instruct in Red Cross work, it is necessary that this numl>er be considerably increased if wo arc to play a full part in dealing with any emergency that may come upon us. I urge all members to do their utmost to further this object—always remembering that we must have members willing to uphold the proud traditions of lied Cross —members willing to devote time and labour to the service of their fellows. “Accommodation for our activities has i been improved considerably by having the Rosy Hall for lectures, and with the cupboards provided by the younger set and the gas file installed vve should find lectures and classes more interesting than over during this winter. The changcovoi Iroin the room in the Convent Building, so generously given iri previous years by ihe Sisters of Mercy, to the four rooms in the Commercial building, lias given us more practice facilities and afforded the sewing division a lietfer chance of furthering their important work.” The president concluded by thanking all who had helped the society in its various activities, including Drs Gillies, Cook, Williams and Gilbert, and Sisters Clifford, Jones and 'Taylor. for lectures delivered to and a-sistance in the examination of candidates; Miss Banks for her co-operation and help. Sister Dalgloisli (director) who had worked tirelessly, the sewing division, Mis Briden-Jones, the Junior Red Cross, and Y’cugor Set, Sis-1 ter Madden. Palmerston North Pictures j Ltd., the Coombs Estate, the transport division, the commandant (Mrs Richardson) arid assistant (Mrs Lyne), section leaders, class secretary (Miss Gough) who had resigned, and Mr L. Carrian who had stopped intc the breach; Mr 1,. 11. Lewis, and the tireless secretary, Mr J. K. Baton.* who so cheerfully and willingly devoted himself to the work.

'The report of the class secretary of the homo nursing division (Miss L. Gough) stated that the membership has increased during each set of lectures. In August. 1940, 67 members sat for a homo nursing examination and 62 were successful; three advanced, nine intermediate and 55 elementary. In December, 1940, after a course of lectures given by Dr. T. Gilbert, 86 members took a first aid examination and CO were successful; 3 advanced, 20 intermediate, and 63 elementary. This year classes commenced with homo nursing, the lecturers being Sister Clifford-Jones (elementary) and Sister Taylor (advanced and intermediate). The examiners were Sisters Train, llosking; Abell. Scriineonr, Wheeler. Kerrison and Dalgloisli There were six advanced. 35 intermediate, 65 elementary and of these numbers all were

pleting 60 hours at. the J'aluici-.-win North Hospital, also at the present time five members have nearly completed a second 60 hours, their lirst having been in ] 939. The report of the patroness of the junior class (Mrs E. Briden-Jones) stated that the membership hud grown to 17 and the girls were keen on their work. The report of the sewing section stated that 987 garments had been made and sent away. l..ey bad also sent the following articles to the Hospital : 25 bed feeders, 23 serviettes, 53 trap cloths, nine food covers, 57 hospital and ditty bags, 237 handkerchiefs, 193 milk jug covers, 294 face cloths, 30 hussifs, 107 water bug covers, 19 surgeons’ towels, 65 eye bandages. 12 many-tail bandages, 98 roller bandages, 62 scarves, 20 pairs band-knit-ted sox, 16 body belts, 34 knitted pullovers, live pairs bed slippers, 19 skull caps, five pairs gloves, five pairs cuffs, 69 pairs mittens, 36 pairs bed sox, 132 balaclavas, old linen, 12 cakes soap, two packets razor blades, one parcel of lollce. The division had also helped at the patriotic shop. The sum of £73 9s had been raised by means of a Red Cross autographed quilt. Mrs G. Lyne, who is in chargo of the class at the Convent School, stated that 34 pupils had sat for the examination and 31 had passed, eight with honours. Boxes of clothes had been made and despatched to the Catholic homes and also packed for flic sewing division. Hie pupils were keen on their work.