PLDNKET SOCIETY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 16 June 1932, Page 11

PLDNKET SOCIETY

SUCCESSFUL YEAR annual report and election OF OFFICERS REVIEW OF WORK 1931-1932 The annual meeting of the Nelson branch of the Royal N.Z. Society tor the Health of Women and Children held in the Methodist Church Hall yesterday afternoon was well attended and presided over by the Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffatt). In opening the meeting Mr Moffatt said lie believed the work being' done by the Society was valuable and that it was appreciated was shown by the number of women who took advantage of the work. The Society's work, he considered, had been eminently successful. RETORT The report for the year ending 31st March, 193*2, stated inter alia:—“ln presenting the nineteenth annual report we look back upon a year of quiet, steady progress in spile of prevailing conditions. At the annual meeting in July last Dr. Jamieson gave a very interesting address upon various aspects of infant welfare, stressing the importance of ante-natal care and the vital importance of environment. Funds. —The usual “Fair” was held in April, but owing to the financial stringency the results were disappointing. Our annual children’s party was a very happy function, even though the r<H'eipts showed a considerable! decrease. A bridge, party and dance in lieu of the usual ball netted £2O. Miss Pattrick’s Visit,—Our long hoped for visit from Miss Pattrick, Director ot Plunket Nursing, took the form of a gathering at the Mayfair Tea Rooms on 10th September. Sixty Committee members attended, the sub-branches ot Richmond, Wakefield and Dovedale being well represented. Miss Pattrick’s visit has given a fresh enthusiasm and a clearer vision of our work. Sub-branches. —Murchison Sub-Branch was visited by Miss Pattrick prior to her arrival in Nelson. Miss Pattrick gave the Murchison Committee members a most encouraging address, which was appreciated by the members. Wakefield now has two visits monthly, their work having increased. Dovedale. —We much regret the resignation of Mrs H. Win, President of the Dovedale branch since its inception. A. former Karitane nurse, Mrs Win, has done a great deal to foster Plunket work during her term of office. We welcome her successor, Mrs E. Burnett, who is carrying on successfully. Richmond delegates have attended our monthly meetings throughout the year. We regret that more frequent contact with our outlying sub-branches is not possible. With the exception of Murchison all other sub-branches were' visited by the President, Mi's Wallace, and several members of the Nelson Committee on the occasion of their annual meetings. Plunket Nurses.—The Committee desire to record appreciation of the work of the Plunket Nurses during the year. Our thanks are also extended to Nurse Knapp, who does our relieving work. Nurse Pascoe attended a refresher course at Dunedin in November. Both our nurses have joined up with the superannuation scheme inaugurated at the last Biennial Conference.

Nurses’ Annual Report, 1931-32. —A review of the year’s work shows an increase in the number of new cases, but a slight decrease in the number of visits to homes and office. This was due, no doubt, to the very wide-spread epidemic of whooping-cough during the early part of the year. The epidemic also caused a correspondingincrea.se in the number of times that advice was given over the telephone, many mothers thus keeping in touch with the nurses during that trying period. We would like to see a bigger increase of expectant mothers seeking advice. It is their duty to themselves and their children to avail themselves of the opportunities so freely offered. By doing this they would in many instances save complications. The increase in the number of breast-fed and partially breast-fed babies is most encouraging, and has increased this year to 88 per cent, in spite of the prevailing depression causing much anxiety and worry to mothers, some homes even lackip g proper food. The scales for test feeding have been in constant use, and are a great help to both mothers and nurses. The attendance at the rooms of the preschool child has increased considerably we are pleased to note. In November the Babies’ Rest Room at the A. and P. Show was well patronised, and much appreciated by the mothers. We were glad to receive a visit from Miss Pattrick in September, her enthusiasm and advice being most helpful and encouraging. The work in the country districts lias been quite satisfactory during the year, and the general health of the babies lias been good. The figures all round show an increase in new cases, the visits to homes and rooms remaining at nearly the same average, the decrease at Dovedale being due to there being so few small babies in the district. During the year Wakefield sub-branch has procured scales, thus enabling Nurse to keep in touch with the babies for a longer period. Bi-monthly visits were commenced in this district in January last. We wish to thank the Committee and various helpers for the renovations to the Plunket Rooms, also the various members who have supplied and arranged the flowers all helping to make the rooms brighter and more cheerful. We take this opportunity of thanking the Sister in charge of the maternity ward at the Public Hospital, and the midwifery nurses for their co-operation,-also the president, secretary and members of the committee, for their kindly help arid consideration shown to us in our work. Plunket Rooms. —The Plunket rooms have had some much needed renovations. Numerous donations from members of the Committee are gratefully acknowledged. i •Personal. —Mrs Bannerman’s departure from Nelson and consequent resignation from the Committee was a great loss to our Branch. After a year of most

capable and efficient work as secretary, Mrs Fleming was unable to continue in office, and was succeeded by Miss hedger, who has done good work in the past as secretary. Mrs Fleming now acts as assistant secretary.

Deep regret was felt at the death of Mr R. Gilbert, who acted as lion. Auditor for some years, and also assisted the Committee in numerous other directions. We welcome the return from America of Mr and Mrs II HunterBrown. .The. Connin'He desires to thank all those who have given donations and assistance to the Society during the year. Thanks arc also due—To the Government for subsidies towards Nurses’ salaries and upkeep of car. To Mr 11. At more for his interest and support, do the Nelson City Council for its annual i grant. To the Waimea County Council for the use of its Board room for meetings. To the Press for its consistent support and co-operation. To the Nelson A. and P. Association and Nelson "Jockey Club for the use of a room and other facilities on Show Day. To the Waimea. Co-operative Dairy Factory for supplying sulphuric acid for milk testing. To Messrs Newman Bros., Croucher and Russell for free conveyance of Plunket Nurses. To Mr and Mrs Hunt, Murchison, for hospitality to Nurse Mason on her visits. To Mr Nichoils, Wakefield, for hospitality to Nurse Mason. To Mr Fletcher for very valuable help with our book keeping. To 31 r Hodgson for his kindness in auditing our accounts. To Mr Taylor for his generosity in doing the painting at the Plunket rooms. To Mrs W. Rogers for the able manner in which she controls the Cookery Book sales. To Nurses Hay and Wearing for valuable help at the Plunket rooms.

Before moving the adoption of the annual report, the‘•retiring President, Mrs Wallace, said it was customary to present a summary of the year’s work. “In spite of many difficulties and hardships” she said, “the work has progressed very evenly both in town and country districts although the ante-natal section of the work is not as well supported by expectant mothers as it might he. It is in this section that skilled advice and help are so very necessary and advantageous to mother and child in later days The chief difficulty of the committee’s year has been, of course, finance Like all voluntarily supported bodies the Plunket Society is adversely affected by the inevitable falling off of public support as well as by a considerable curtailment of Government subsidies. To meet the financial stress Central Council, the governing body of the Society, decided to reduce all Plunket nurses’ salaries 10 per cent, and to cut down their holidays leave to 15 days. “It is very gratifying to note that, although there is still a considerable margin, the financial support given by those directly benefilting by the work is steadily increasing. While recognising clearly that the expense of rearing a family on a limited income leaves very little for other purposes, we would again urge that wherever possible all Plunket mothers endeavour to contribute to the support of the work that is of such benefit to them and their children. Even small contributions are welcomed. The annual house-to-house colle'etion, was, in view of the times, very well supported, though our membership list is still far from representative. The work of collecting is a very arduous one, undertaken by the committee in the best interests of Hie work and we extend our sincere thanks to all who have responded to our appeal. Every effort is made to conduct our business in the most economical manner compatible with the right and proper carrying on of Plunket work. The visit of Miss Pattrick, Director of Plunket Work, in September, was a great stimulus to us all and her kindness in breaking her journey at Murchison and meeting the sub-branch committee there was much appreciated. As an outcome of a decision made at the last biennial conference, all branches were asked to make a contribution to their nearest Kartitane Hospital. With the kindly assistance our sub-branchcs, a small donation was sent to Wellington Karitane Hospital. The Government grant to Karitane Hospitals lias been very considerably reduced and their financial position is very difficult. Nurse Pascoe attended a refresher course at Dunedin in November and has gained much valuable knowledge of the latest developments of the work. The appointment of a finance committee of four members who take charge of all money raising efforts lias done much to relieve the officials, giving them more time for carrying out the numerous duties incidental to i heir respective positions. This policy of sharing out the • work is one which should be much further developed. The Plunket rooms have had some much needed renovations. Owing to generous gifts from members of the committee the work has been done very economically. We are most grateful to the business people of our town who support us so generously. Their many kindly gifts .and acts are much appreciated by the Plunket committee. To the members of lliei general committee I tender my sincere thanks for their support and work which, in spite of a trying year has been carried out most cheerfully. I also wish to thank the associate committee for their help and the members of the Advisory Board for their readiness to assist us whenever called up, the secretaries and treasurers for the able manner in which they carry out their duties, and all who have helped us during the past year.” The report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The election of officers resulted as fol lows:—President, Mrs W. Lock. Vicepresidents, Mesdames F. A. Bett, J. H. Cock, Davies, C. Y. Fell, T. Field. W. C. Harley, F. V. Knapp, E. R. Neale, Misses Hunter-Brown and Nevin. General Committee, Airs Moffatt (Mayoress). Salvation Army officer’s wife (ex officio), Mesdames Boxer, Bunten, Carmichael, H. W. Chisnall, Davies, Downes, Earle. Eastevfield, Farmer, Fitzgerald, Fletcher, E. Hudson, Ingram, Low, S. A. Lucas, Masefield, J. A. Mitchell, Morgan, T. Neale, Parker, Pavitt, Rogers, N. Rout, Rowllings, G. Russell, P. Vining, Winslone, Misses Atkinson and Gilkison, and represents lives from sup-branches.

Associate committee, Mesdames A. Allen,. Barlett, Bisley, Campbell-Smith, Chamberlain, Cuseiherg, Duke, H HEdwards. Griffiths, Gould, E. Harris, H. Hurst, Kirby, Jamieson, T. Johnston, Kemp, Maunsell, Menlove. G. Page, Pogson, Plum, Sadlier, Smallbone. F. W. 0. Smith, Tasker, Traill, Wiggins, K. A. Wood, E. G. Wood, Wollon, and Missus Blackett, Brown, Knapp, Poynlon, and Pliillpolls. Advisory Board, Messrs Duncan, I'd l , Gould, W. C. Harley, A. L. T. Jones, Wallace, Wotton, D'rs. Bett, CampbrilSmitli, Jamieson, and Low, and Mr Lock. lion. Auditor, Mr Fletcher; lion, treasurer, All's Farmer ; lion secretary, Aliss Ledger; assistant secretary, Airs Flaming-: . . ... m proposing the nomination ql Airs Lock as president. Air Wallace said Airs Lock was one of the original members of the Nelson branch and had a long public service record behind her.

Mrs Lock returned thanks for her election. During the 19 years’ life o! the branch the work of the Society had been subject to criticism but gradually any opposition to the work was disappearing. It was gratifying to see the growing number of mothers seeking the help of the. Society’s nurses. Mrs Lock assured the Society of her best efforts and hoped, with the loyal help of the

comiiiiUco the work would go on ill just as enthusiastic, capable and efficient manner as in the past. The money no<:essary to carry on the work hi the next year would be hard to find. Airs Lock added thanks and appreciation of the work for the Society by the capable and efficient retiring president. Mr Field then moved a motion placing on record lliu services of Mrs Wallace and paying a tribute to her work and tact. Airs Wallace in replying said if had been a pleasant five years as president of the Society, but when she took over the foundation had been laid and the organisation was ;n working condition as a result of the work of Airs Buchanan’who had been president for the previous fourteen years. Airs Wallace went on to voice appreciation of the services of the Society’s nurses and paid a tribute to Hie manner in which they had carired out their duties. The success of the Society, she pointed out, depended on the nurses and she moved that a vote of thanks and appreciation he recorded. This was carried.