BATCHELOR HOSPITAL GUILD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21360, 13 June 1931, Page 2

BATCHELOR HOSPITAL GUILD

ANNUAL MEETING , ■ , i The annual meeting of the Batchelor Hospital Ladies’ Guild was held yesterday afternoon in Knox Church session room. King street. Mrs J. M. Gallaway presided. In presenting the annual report the committee congratulated Mrs Gallaway on entering her twentieth year as president, and thanked all 'associate and active members for their help during the past year. The members of the Ladies’ Guild met during the month of Juno, when material was distributed and made up, in order to replenish the hospital requirements. On the final afternoon, held at Mrs White’s house, 120 garments were brought in and handed over, comprising dresses, vests, towels, sheets, aprons, etc., which were all very much appreciated by the matron and staff. During the year a function was held at the hospital in Forth street to celebrate the birth of the 400th baby. This lucky little girl was presented with a silver bpwl by the Hospital Board, and a spoon by the nurses. Early in the year a visit was paid to the hospital by their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe. accompanied by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs R. S. Black). Unfortunately most of the members of the Ladies’ Guild were absent from the city, but the guild was represented by Mrs Fitehett, Miss Cargill, and the secretary. Their Excellencies expressed pleasure at having been invited to inspect the hospital. , They were especially interested in the little inmates, and the sunny, airy nursery. Next year the guild would celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening of the Batchelor Maternity • Hospital in some fitting way. A few of the original members are still associated with the guild. These include Mrs Gallaway, Mrs White (ex-president), Lady Ferguson, Lady Ross, Mesdames Angus Cameron. Louden, Laidlaw, S. Batcfielor, Riley, Fitehett, J. M. Ritchie, R. Ritchie, and Miss Williams. This year some of the guild's work would be in aid of the matron's Samaritan box. For this effort the guild has already received a donation from Miss M'Lean. The guild would be grateful for cast-off children’s clothing; as well as new garments in order to be able to assist necessitous cases after being discharged from the hospital.—The report was adopted. • The matron of the hospital (Miss R. M. Every) in her report stated that it was only to be expected that the hospital staff should be faced with a very marked increase in the number of women who required assistance. Last year over 20 women were sent to the hospital to receive relief. For the next eight weeks the staff had already arranged to receive 12 ,women. Most of these women had informed her that their husbands were working nine days in the month, which meant less than £6 a month to keep themselves and their families. In these circumstances the staff was glad to receive, a supply of warm clothing for mothers and children. The Samaritan box was going to have increasing demands made upon it. During the past year gifts from the Ladies r Guild members had been generously supplemented by the Dunedin Hospital Guild and outside friends, and in this way the hospital staff had been able to give much needed help. Such help was gratefully accepted. During the year ended March 31, 1931, the numbers in the hospital had been well maintained. In all there were over 240 women admitted during the year, with a total of 229 births. Of this total 204 were married women. At present there are five women in the wards, all of whom were unanimous in their expression or keen appreciation, not only of the care and attention the Hospital Board was providing for them, but of the very great help and relief it was to .have the baby clothes ready for their use while in the hospital. The present inmates wished to convey to the members of the Ladies’ Guild their very sincere thanks.—Miss Every was thanked for her very interesting report. , The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mrs J. M Gallaway; vice-presidents, Mesdames Russell Ritchie and D. Ramsay; secretary and treasurer, Miss L. A. W hue; committee—Mesdames S. Batchelor, F. R. Riley, Garth Qallaway, and W. E. Carswell. '