PLUNKET SOCIETY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23059, 9 June 1938, Page 4

PLUNKET SOCIETY

BRANCH MEETINGS AUCKLAND COMMITTEE KARITANE NURSES WANTED The work of the past month was reported upon at the monthly meeting of the committee of the Auckland branch of the Plunket Society, held yesterday morning and presided over by Mrs. J. C. Allan. The headquarters report, read by Miss H. Chapman, showed that in the prenatal section 54 new expectant mothers had been seen, 232 return visits had been paid to the department and 234 expectant mothers were under supervision. In the post-natal' section 167 new baby cases had been • seen, 1090 home visits were made and 8112 mothers and babies had visited the various offices. The report of the Truby King Karitane Hospital, read by Miss L. E. Hunt, showed that 11 premature babies had been admitted during the month. Of the babies at present iri hospital, all except three had been premature. A donation of three guineas had been received from the Cambridge branch for the hospital general fund. Demand lor Nurses Means of overcoming the difficulty of obtaining sufficient trained Karitane nurses to meet the demand, which had become keener since the general shortage of domestic help, were discussed. It was agreed that the only way of increasing (he number available was to make additions to the Karitane Hospital, but the executive, although recognising the need for an extension, stated that the difficulty of finance remained an obstacle. The matter will be brought before a special meeting of the executive, advisory board and the honorary medical staff at an early date.

The committee decided to accept the application for Karitane training of an Indian girl, who stated her intention of later returning to Suva to work among the mothers and babies there. A motion of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Mrs. A. Culpa.n, who was one of the original members of the Auckland committee and was later appointed honorary vicepresident. A vote of thanks was passed to the managers of insurance companies in Auckland, who have for many years, through the Insurance Officers' Benevolent Fund, given a donation of £2 a month to the society. Members Present Those present at the meeting were:—■ Mrs. E. J. Wilkinson, Mrs. E. Richmond, Mrs. A. J. Beck, Mrs. L. C. H. Dawson, Mrs. G. A. Htirdley, Mrs. Bruce Mackenzie, Mrs. L. C. Rathbone, Mrs. W. H. Worrall, Mrs. J. H. Frater, Mrs. David Nathan, Mrs. A. 0. Paterson, Mrs. T. Clinton Webb. Mrs. R. B. Cruickshank, Mrs. H. R. Kirker, Mrs. I. G. Glennie. Mrs. D. Poison, Mrs. D. G. Ogilvie, Mrs. K. B. Myers, Mrs. T. T. Woodhead, Mrs. W. McKail Geddes, Mrs. H Corbott, Mrs H. H. Edwards. Mrs. J. Park, Mrs. R. W. Bissett, Mrs. L. Goodwin, Mrs. E. Litt, Mrs. B. Clark, Mrs. .T. Rowe, Mrs. A. Campbell, Mrs. J. W. Lethbridge, Mrs. C. E. Chambers. Mrs. L. Hayman, Mrs. .T. Mclvor, Mrs. H. S. Turner, Mrs. G. H. Matthews, Miss M. J. Colegrove.

BIRKENHEAD ACTIVITY MONTHLY REPORT A month of activity was reported at a meeting of the Birkenhead Plunket committee, over which Mrs. C. Eric Chambers presided. Visits to the Plunket room during the month numbered 150, and comprised 70 adults, 60 babies and 20 older children. The nurse, Miss A. F. White, had paid 17 visits to homes.

The voluntary motor drivers were: — Mrs. A. D. Service, Mrs. B. L. Brown, Mrs. N. R. Stewart and Mrs. L. T. Hayman. Mrs. C. Sampson was elected to the committee.

The convener, Mrs. C. W. Inwards, reported that thero wero 51 members of the Truby King Junior League.

PROGRESS AT TE AROHA

INCREASED SUBSCRIPTIONS

The annual meeting of the Te Aroha branch of the Plunket Society was presided over by Mr. R. Coulter, M.P. The report and balance sheet revealed a very progressive year, subscriptions and donations showing a considerable increase. A large amount of work was done during the year by the Plunket Nurse for the branch and the subbranches at Paeroa .and Waihi. The following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr. R. Coulter, M.P.; president, Mrs. F. W. Wild; vice-presidents, Mrs Hunt and Mrs. Hepburn; secretary, Mrs. A. D. Burt; treasurer, Mrs. E. S. McGirr; honorary auditor, Mr. N. M. Pryde; honorary solicitor, Mr. G. H. Nicholls; advisory board, Dr. W. K Lawrence, Dr. S. T. Martin and Messrs. C. W. Pierson, W. Hunger and D. G. Meredith; committee, Mrs Martin, Mrs. Ericson and Mrs. Kings-ley-Smith.