Palmerston North Hospital Women's Auxiliary

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 236, 6 October 1936, Page 8

Palmerston North Hospital Women's Auxiliary

GRATIFYING RECORD OF YEAR’S WORK

Mrs. M. Aitchisoij was in the chair at the first annual meeting of tho Palmerston North Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, held in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Annual Report. The annual report presented by Mrs. Aitchison on behalf of the executive read as follows:

‘‘The auxiliary was formed for the purposo of increasing the scope of the social service work which had been carried on for a number of years by the District Nursing Guild which had disbanded when the Hospital Board reorganised its district nursing service. The aims of the auxiliary are to assist tho district nurses in carrying out their work, especially in cases of indigent patients when discharged from hospital and who are still in need of assistance in their homes with necessary comforts; to assist patients while in hospital by visiting, writing letters, supplying flowers and magazines and making purchases for them where necessary; to co-operate with tho district nursing service throughout the hospital area iu any manner possible. The auxiliary feels that tho efforts for the first year have been worth while and looks forward with confidence to Doing able to assist very materially in furthering this all-important work. “Wireless at hospital: During the year we were informed that tho wireless for the patients required re-condition-ing and we assisted by donating £3O towards tho cost.

“Hospital library: This Important work is controlled by Toe H and we were advised that additional books were required for the use of the patients. A sub-committee was set up to co-operate with Toe H and an appeal was made for suitablo books, the response being very gratifying. The auxiliary supplies two daily papers and two weekly papers to tho women’s wards, which aro much appreciated. “Sewing circle: Great credit is due to the ladies who form this section of tho auxiliary. They meet fortnightly and have made infants’ outfits, etc., and these have been supplied to necessitous cases when application has been made for same. Special thanks aro due to the Congregational Church Ladies’ Guild for tho donation of a quantity of very fine cot quilts and children’s garments during the year which havo been included in the parcels whea being distributed.

“Maternity Home: Comforts for the patients in the home in the form of bed -jackets and warm slippers were donated and greatly appreciated. “Cliapel for Hospital: The executive feels that the necessity for a chapel at tho hospital is an outstanding requirement and decided that, together with the other activities, they would endeavour to procure finance to further the project, and a special committee was set up to go into the matter of its early establishment. We are greatly indebted to Mrs. E. M. Griggs’ Bridge Club for tho initial donation to the chapel fund. It is contemplated holding a garden fete in tho hospital grounds in February of next year when a percentage of tho proceeds will go to this fund. “Patients' outings: Arrangements were made whereby patients who were in the convalescent stage could have an outing by car and several ladies have generously placed their cars at our service when called upon. “Donations: During tho year wc made donations to the Christmas cheer fund at tho hospital and to the district nurses to provide Christmas cheer to patients.

“Finance: It is necessary to havo finance available successfully to conduct these services and during the year tho following efforts were made: (I) Juvenile entertainment in the Opera House; (2) street day collection. These efforts assisted very materially in augmenting the funds. In addition to the above efforts financial assistance has been received from the trustees of the late District Nurses' Guild, £ls; City Council, £3O; and tho T. G. Macarthy Trust, £lO. We wish to thank all those citizens who during the year havo assisted in any way to further tho work of the auxiliary; to organisations who have made financial grants; to the district nurses and members of the Hospital Board for their co-operation at all times.

“In conclusion we would appeal to the citizens for a continuance of their interest in our work in helping to brighten tho stay of the patients in hospital and assist them during the stage of convalescence whereby wo may feel that something has been accomplished for those loss fortunate than ourselves."

Mrs. W. M. Huntington (treasurer) presented the financial statement, which was duly received and adopted. In commenting on the financial statement, Mrs. Moore congratulated the members on the pleasing balance shown, Mrs. Mansford endorsing these remarks.

Mrs. Grigor and Mrs. Mansford paid glowing tribute to the splendid work done by the chairman, secretary and treasurer during the past year. Tho committee were congratulated on their untiring efforts by Mrs. Murpliy. Special credit was due to the sewing circle, said Mrs. Mansford, and few realised the tremendous work done by tho members. Thanks were also conveyed to the book committee. Votes of thanks were accorded Messrs Oollinson and Cunninghame for the use of their sewing room, and to Mr. A. E. Mansford for auditing the auxiliary’s books.

Election of officers.

Officers elected for the ensuing year were as follow:—Patroness, Mrs. A. E. Mansford; president, Airs. M. Aitchison; vice-presidents, Mesdames J, A. Nash, A. Grigor, J. Ilodgeus, N. Blackmore, T. Ilcwitt, L. Abraham, T. E. Moore, Misses J. N. McGhie, M. McLagan and V. Kelly; committee, Mesdames H. Coles, H. Sinclair, W. Mouldey, W. H. Richardson, J. Barsanti, S. J. Parkes, C. N. Rabone, W. Ashworth, F. Bennett, F. G. Murphy, A. M. Wilson, G. Hayward, J. Stone, E. L. Christian and Miss Clark; secretary, Mrs. E.

A. Bettlc; treasurer, Mrs. AY. M. Huntington. Mesdames Moore and Grigor were elected conveners of the book committee.

Monthly Meeting,

Prior to the annual meeting the usual monthly meeting was held, Mrs. M. Aitchison presiding. Also present were Mesdamcs W. 11. Richardson, W. Mouldey, H. Sinclair, P. G. Murphy, W. M. Huntington, J. A. Nash, J. Stone, A. Grigor, R. A. Bettle (secretary), A. E. Mansford, T. R. Moore, A. M. Wilson and Miss Clark.

Apologies were received from Mcsdames P. Bennett, L. Abraham, H. Coles, It. L. C. Aitchison, Misses J. McGhie, M. McLagan and V. Kelly. The president extended a welsome to Mesdaines J. A. Nash and J. Stone, expressing pleasure in their presence after their indispositions. Included in the correspondence was a letter from Mr. A. J. Phillipps, who, on behalf of the Hospital Board, stated that the board approved of the garden party the auxiliary wished "'to hold in the hospital grounds. In connection with the garden party several other oilers of assistance were received from various board members.

Delegates appointed to visit the various districts to solicit support for the garden party wero Mesdames A. JE. Mansford, M. Aitchison and It. A. Bottle.

Members wero advised that the annual street day would be held early next month and arrangemeuts wero finalised in connection with that day. It was decided that the day of the monthly meeting should bo changed from the Monday to the fourth Wednesday in each month as that day was more suitable for all members,