PLUNKET SOCIETY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23343, 11 May 1939, Page 4

PLUNKET SOCIETY

EFFORT FOR CENTENNIAL EXTENSION OF ACTIVITIES A NEW KARITANE HOSPITAL Several newly appointed officebearers from iho sub-committees of the Phinket Society were welcomed nt a meeting of tho Plnnket Society, held yesterday morning. Tho president, Mrs. J. C. Allan, presided. The charge nurse, Miss Chapman, read the report of the work carried out from headquarters. In the. pre-natal Bection, it was stated, 42 new expectant mothers had been seen. 2-3 return visits had been paid to tho department, 218 were under supervision. 11l tlio post-natal section 175 now baby cases had been seen, 922 visits had been paid to homes, and 8320 mothers and babies had visited the various offices. Busy Month at Karitane Miss S. Lusk, matron of the Trubv King Karitane Hospital, reported that 12 mothers and 26 babies had been admitted to Karitane during tho month. The staff had had n very busy month in all departments. Seventy premature babies were treated in tho hospital for the year ended March 31. Donations to the funds of tho hospital of £5 os and £5 from the Whangarei and Franklin branches respectively, and £lO from tho Onchunga subcommittee had been received. It was with regret tho resignation of Mrs. R. B. Cruickshank was received on account of ill-health. Mrs. Cruickshank lias been connected with tho society for 12 years, first as president of the St.. Heliors Bay committee, and later as a member of headquarters committee and a member of the executive. It was decided to placo on record the deep appreciation of the committee of tho fine work done by Mrs. Cruickshank during the years slio had been associated with the society. Three months' leave oi absence was granted to Mrs. G. M. Fowlds. The president referred to tho work of tho Air Raid Precautions Women's Auxiliary Committee. The position of the society with regard to this matter had been discussed by the Dominion Council at its recent meeting, and branches were asked to give it their full support, particularly in avenues where the organisation and teaching of tho society could be of assistance in tho major scheme. Ooatonni.il Effort The suggestion of a new Karitane Hospital being adopted as a Centennial effort was discussed. It was felt that when the estimated value of tho lifo of a child —the potential citizen—was taken into consideration, in building a hospital where a larger number of babies could bo moro efficiently cared for than is at present possible, the citizens of Auckland would be making an investment which would give an ever-increasing return of man-power. A luncheon to commemorate "Founders' Day" will be held at Milne and Chovce's Reception Hall toward the end "of the month. Tho Truby King Memorial Fund was also discussed. This will bo of a national character, the fund created to bo used for the furtherance of the work of tho society. Their Excellencies tho Governor-General, Viscount Galway, and Viscountess Galwav have extended their patronage to tho appeal and the Prime Minister has agreed to inaugurate tho campaign. This will lie launched next week, when it is hoped all mothers who havo benefited by the work of Sir Truby King through tho Plunket nurses will make a donation, however small, 1o crcato a national memorial to Sir Truby King, in recognition of and in thankfulness for what he has done for them. In order to meet the demands made for the services of the Plunket nurses, tho committee agreed to make a further increaso in the staff. This Will ho made when preliminary arrangements havo been completed.