N.Z. NURSES’ MEMORIAL FUND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19204, 21 June 1924, Page 17

N.Z. NURSES’ MEMORIAL FUND

ANNUAL MEETING. Tiio seventh annual mooting of the New Zealand Nurses’ Memorial I* mid was held in the City Council Chandlers yesterday afternoon. Sir If. Lindn Ferguson (president) presiding over u fair attendance. ANNUAL REPORT. The, annual report read as follows; The need for relief still increases; over £IOO .more has been devoted to this purpose than was expended last- year, anil luilhor claims on the fund' are still coining to hand. Hut notwithstanding the increased expenditure, we have been able to add £250 to our investment account, which now amounts to £19,500 (face value), all in New Zealand Government securities, hearing interest at 5i per cent. Also a. rather larger sum is carried forward than was ihe case at the last balance. On April 1. 1923. there wore 14 annuitants receiving help from the fund. One has since died, two do not require further assistance, and one new anility has been grained. Our present commitments to annuitants —12 in number amount to £852 per annum. Temporary help byway of gratuity is also frequently required, so it will bo seen that the granting of two rnoro annuities would exhaust the present resources of the fund, and even the largest sum wo can give as an annuity affords a Teiy meagre saibsistence, and should, if possible, he augmented. Your committee Therefore urgently and earnestly repeals the appeal for further assistance, contained in la-st year’s report. The balance shoot showed a credit balance of £360 5s Sd. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, tho chairman said the annual subscriptions were not as largo as could be wished for, only £26 Is 6d being received last year. He felt that tho members of his own profession did not realise tho gocal work clone by the fund, and he would like to seo it swell by contributions from tho medical men who mado such a demand on the lives and ability of the nurses. Thov could see by the report that ■the year had been a satisfactory one, the capital fund stood at £19,500. and the £20,000 aimed at would come in time. Ho thought tho fund was fairly on its feet, hut if it wanted to assist the nurses to a larger extent it would have to have more contributions. ' In conclusion, he expressed the hope that the public would recognise its responsibilities and help tho nurses rnoro fully. . r In seconding the motion, mr James iiogg said tho report, was indeed satisfactory, but it was quite obvious that a great deal more money was needed. Mr C. It. Smith said that in regard to the annual subscription ho would point out that it was extremely difficult to convoy io the public the needs of such a fund. Tho public would not do this with any degree of success if they brought the matter up only at tho annual meeting, and he would suggest that canvassers he employed for the work. Until they had an organised system, they would not increase their snl>scrintlons. Tho motion was earned, and if eyas decided to refer the. matter of canvassing for subscriptions to the incoming committee. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patroness, Her Excellency Viscountess Jell icon; president. Sir 11. Lindo Ferguson, C.M.G. ; vice-presidents. Sir George Fenwick (Dunedin) and Dr William Young (Wellington); committee —Miss If. M’Lean and Mr Justice MacGregor (Wellington), Mrs Ethel A. Kidd and Mr O, Nicholson (Auckland), Miss J. 1,. Hock and Dr L. S. Manning (Canterbury). Dr James Young (Invercargill), Misses Holford and Lancaster. Messrs James Degg, C. W. Hell ray. and C. R. Smith (Otago); trustees-, Sir 11. Lindo Ferguson and Mr C. W. Chamberlain; bon. auditors, Messrs W. T. Monkrnan and T. f.‘halmcr; bon. secretary. Miss Helen Williams; hon. treasurer, Sir C. W. Chamberlain. The meeting closed with a vole of thanks io the ehair.