PLUNKET SOCIETY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 May 1927, Page 3

PLUNKET SOCIETY

RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT

TRIBUTE TO MRS Bf/OfI&NAN'S pitou worn

At the monthly meeting of the Plunket Society Mrs Iluehauun’s resignation as president was read.

Mrs C. Harley. who was in the chair, referred to the great loss the resignation would be to the Society, Airs Buchanan having been president since the inception of the Nelson branch in 1913.

Airs Fell, in moving that Mrs Buchanan’s resignation he accepted after M years of devoted service to the Plunket cnuse in Nelson, reviewed the history of the branch and paid it tribute to her valuable leadership. The records showed that to begin with a public meeting was called in December, 1912. In February, 1013, Nurse Morgan was sent to Nelson to lecture. In March, 1013, Mrs Buchanan took the chair for the. first time. She had never led a meeting nor even attended them as an ordinary member, so had to take her courage in both hands. The Society and the district should he very grateful to her public spirit, that curried her above self diffidence to such a successful issue as was shown by tho present condition ni thi> Society. It was resolved at this first committee meeting in 1013 that Glenhope, Whangamon Saddle and the Montere Hills should form the boundary of the Nelson district. Now it extended through Alolnoka, Riwaka and Takaka to Gollingwond. All these districts were beyond the original bAumiary,’ lint, ds time wont l tm'dnd (Llicy ‘got a second nurse they were able to nurture them till in 1 D2.T-2-1 they started a nurse of their own. In 1013 the Nelson nurse only visited Richmond, there being no demand or encouragement, at other country centres. Now she visited Taliuna, Stoke, Brightwater, Wakapuaka, Pikomanu, Murchison, Dovedale, and had paid an occasional visit to the French Pass. There were sub-branches at Richmond. Dovedale, Wakefield, TCuwutiri, and Murchison. As other signs of development and advance under Mrs Buchanan's presidency Airs Fell mentioned that in I!) 17 they opened a rest room or tent, for mothers and babies at the annual Agricultural Show, which brought the nurse and helpers into touch with many country mothers who would not otherwise have been met. This room bad been run successfully every year now for ten years. During the war much good work was accomplished by a sub-committee in collecting and making babies’ garments, •and sending cases of them home to sailors' and soldiers’ wives where the excellence of the quality of material and sewing was always commented on. In l!)l!l the nurse had to move into larger rooms and the committee had to set to work by flower stalls, etc., in the streets and hv other means, to colled money outside ordinary subscriptions for a motor ear, as the district had become too largo for tlie nurse to manage without one. In 1920 a .public meeting was called by Airs Buchanan and the branch applied for incorporation under the Incorporated Societies Act of 1908. In 1921 their present excellent nurse, Aliss Pascoe, came to them. In 1922 they needed more than a Ivaritane nurse's assistance and tlicv got a second Plunket nurse. Airs Fell concluded: —“The mark that Mrs Buchanan has left as president in my mind is of hope and courage. She never expected defeat, however poor die outlook. She was like our founder Sir Trilby King in that, and in this, reaped we must each try to follow in their footsteps. Our greatest difficulty is in raising- funds, but by vigorous and cheerful combination it is wonderful how well we have managed and if we continue to put doubt and fear behind us, the spirit of power takes its place, and we shall remove mountains of indifference and difficulties, and receive the usual liberal public support, according to our need." Airs Fell then moved: “That Mrs Buchanan’s resignation as president of the Nelson branch of the New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children be aeepted with sincere regret," winch was duly passed.