NELSON W.W.S.A.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 14 October 1941, Page 6

NELSON W.W.S.A.

TEAR S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED MANY ORGANISATIONS COOPERATE LARGE NUMBER OF GARMENTS KNITTED The annual report of the Nelson Women’s War Service Auxiliary presented to the annual meeting of the auxiliary last week states: “In the month of February, in order to bring us into line with the rest of Ihc Dominion, we changed our name from ‘Women’s National Reserve’ to ‘Women’s War Service Auxiliary.’ It was not necessary to change our policy, ns wen already working on similar lines to those laid down by the Dominion Conference of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary. However, it was necessary to have three Government nominees added to our committee, and these we were pleased to welcome— Misses J. Stewart. B. R. Walter and J. L Fowler. “Since our last annual meeting we have had 8 executive, 5 council, 9 general and 2 special meetings. We have, working in conjunction with our Auxiliary, 26 women’s organisations, and their records of work for the year are more than satisfactory—they are most gratifying. Most of the organisations sew for the Red Cross and Lady Galway Guild, and some earmark their gifts for specific objects such as Dr. Barnardo’s Homes and the Women’s Territorial Army in England. Altogether 170 cases of clothing have left Nelson during the year, and these have oeen largely contributed to by members of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary. “Wool Depot.—Under the capable direction of Mrs Bowden the depot shows i tremendous output of knitted garnents —140 pairs gloves, 306 pullovers, -.626 balaclavas, 2,296 scarves, 65 pairs ;ox, 1.967 pairs mittens, and 354 caps. Sifts to the depot of knitted garments have been sold and realised £lB which vas paid into the Patriotic Fund. “Khaki Handkerchiefs. —Miss Eas:lale in control has done excellent work: 6.320 handkerchiefs were made during the year, of which 4,616 have oeen sent to Nelson troops overseas, leaving a balance of 1,704. Most of the Handkerchiefs have been made by the •chool children of the Nelson district inder the direction of the School Teachers’ Association, but an emergency call for 1.800 required further assistance, and Miss Easdale thanks the Baptist Women’s Guild, Bridge Street Patriotic Sewing Circle, Catholic Women’s Guild, Presbyterian Women’s iJuild and the Nelson Women’s Club for :heir help. “Hussifs:—Mrs E. Johnson is in charge of this bnnch and she reports ;40 hussifs made, filled and despatched ;ince January: she wishes to thank the rahunanui branch who made and filled he Jun£ quota (160), the members of he Sewing Circle of the Women’s Club or providing the contents and filling he September quota, the Takaka ■V.N.R. for two dozen, and the Metholist Women’s Guild for undertaking to make and fill six hussifs a month. “Soldiers’ total of 3.786 patriotic parcels have been sent from kelson during the year; the women 'ackers are very cbly directed by Miss 3. Walter, who endeavours to engage he services of as many young people is possible. A suggestion is made that ill donors of parcels should write notes o be attached to the labels. “Money Raising.—The gala on 2nd November arranged by the women’s jrganisations of Nelson, in spite of id verse weather, realised £243. Members of the W.W.S.A. also help with all treet collections and all money raising schemes in their own organisations, md do nearly all the house-to-house | :ollecting. “Agriculture.—ln this sphere, large lumbers helped with the patriotic peaheking, several took seasonly jobs in tpple orchards, while others did emerlency work when an S.O.S. was sent )Ut by the growers; 27 women aswered .he call to pick peaches, and did splen-

did work in this direction. The Fruit Growers’ Association arranged excellent classes in apple-picking and the response was most satisfactory. ‘Soldiers’ Dcfendents: Entertaining and enlisting names to help Toe II with gardens of absent soldiers should the need arise The entertaining is done principally by the individual Church organisations. "Emergency Precautions Scheme: This includes Hospital workers, messengers. clerks, transport, Plunket V. and blood donors. “Hospital Workers: Their object is to give domestic help to tiie hospital in j an emergency; the fire at the institution gave the Corps practical experience. several relays going up to put the hospital straight and help in the laundry. At the E.P.S practice, relays, conveyed to hospital bv transport unit, were met by the Matron and shown where their services would be utilised. Instructional visits were paid to the Parere street laundry. About 14 members in uniform attended the special church service in September. Arrangements have been made for Miss E Gray to give the Corps instruction in drill. “Transport: The W.A.C. has a transport unit m training, and is making good progress. “Plunket V.A.’s: Miss Ncvin reports the Plunket Nurses have given and demonstrated to some thirty women practical lectures on mothercraft; many of these have registered as Plunket aids. Similar lectures have also been given in Murchison to a number of women, many of them young mothers, who though unavailable for registration in the E.PS., can be of great assistance to the community and themselves should the necessity arise. Unlimited supply of fresh milk for feeding infants is assured. Heavier stocks of both Karilac and Kariol are being held at Plunket Rooms An emergency brfx is being gradually stocked with baby clothes and feeding bottles; help is asked for in this direction. “Blood Donors: Members were all asked to give in their names for this “Physical Culture: Several classes were formed during the year, but, no doubt owing to basketball and other physical training being well under w'a.y, the classes were not very well attended. “Canteen : Members help regularly at the Fighting Services Club, Territorial Room and occasionally with the Home Guard. “Women’s Auxiliary Air Force: Members of the W.A.A.F. all go through the \V .W.S.A. and it is most interesting work choosing a staff for the local Air Force Station. Our secretary, Miss Turton. is a member of the selection board Another request from headquarters was to choose three suitable clerks for overseas. This had to be done most secretly and confidentially. We were very disappointed that among our members between the ages of 25 and 30 not one qualified. We appeal to all young women of Nelson to fill in the W.W.S.A cards, so that should another request come we will have a wider range to choose from. “Broadcast: A broadcast talk is given monthly from our local station by one of the committee, and this seems to be much appreciated by all listeners—certainly it is a great help to our work. "Appeals: Miscellaneous appeals from various local bodies have been to our organisation, and these have always been attended to to the best of our ability. “In conclusion, we would like to express our pleasure in being able to work in harmony side bv side, in this great war effort, with various kindred societies such as the Red Cross and tho Oder of St. John, and to thank the following for various services rendered, viz : The Press, the Nelson Citv Council. the Anchor S.S. Co., Messrs Newman Bros., the Suburban Bus Co., the Fruitgrowers’ Association and all instructors, and Mrs Tremewan, Chief Postmaster. The secretary would also like to thank Mrs Churcher for all work done in connection with uniforms, and Mrs Airey for cleric/il assistance.” The report concluded with a detailed account of the activities of the various organisations co-ordinated in the W. The Hon. W. F. Turgeon, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Province of Saskatchewan, whose appointment as Canadian Minister to Argentina was recently announced, has al. 3 been accredited as Canadian Minister to the Republic of Chile.