CRIPPLED CHILDREN’S SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22904, 11 June 1936, Page 12

CRIPPLED CHILDREN’S SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING

GRATIFYING PROGRESS MADE The first annual meeting of the Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children Society was held in the Chamber of Commerce rooms last night. The president (Mr F. W. Mitchell) occupied the chair, and there was a fair attendance of members. Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the chairman said that he did so with great satisfaction, and he felt sure that that satisfaction would be felt by all of them. — (Applause.) Mr Mitchell said that the report fully covered the activities of the different committees, but a brief resume would not be out of place. When the society had been formed it had not intended to establish a new organisation, to operate apart from the existing services in the treatment of their hapless fellowcreatures, and the wisdom of this course iiad been abundantly proved. At the very outset the medical profession had responded readily to the almost unspoken appeal for help and had through the year given them the benefit of their knowledge and experience. Conspicuous in this respect were the services rendered by Mr Renfrew White, to whom, as the head of the Orthopaedic Department of the Public Hospital, the work had proved specially appealing. Coupled with this, they had received much assistance from the same institution’s Massage Department, under the able control of Miss Roberts. Then the Education Department, the St. John Ambulance Association, and other bodies had helped considerably, with the result that the review of the situation, which it had been decided at the conference in Wellington last July should be the first activity of all the affiliated associations, had been carried out without difficulty. Accordingly, they had on record most of the cases in their district and were now in a position to pursue the aims with which ihe movement had been inaugurated. These, shortly, were to get a record of all cases, ascertain their immediate needs, see that the necessary treatment was made available by providing transport, etc., follow up the treatment as far as was possible, and endeavour to make up the deficiencies caused by their affliction by vocational guidance and education. So far the results had been distinctly encouraging, though, of course, they were only making a beginning, and there was plenty of work ahead. Finance was always a consideration in such movements as theirs, and he was glad to say that, from the liberal response to a modified appeal, sufficient funds had been obtained to supply a small working capital. Calls upon this would, however, grow almost immediately, and he expected the Finance Committee to resume the canvass started last year. They should have no difficulty in securing a large number of annual subscribers at a small fee, and if this were done the finance of the society would be secure. ~ , , . He should, perhaps, said the chairman, refer to the Nuffield Trust. The establishment of this trust had been a material factor in setting the crippled children’s scheme going. Lord Nunields generous donation (£50,000) was certainly substantial, but only the inebme, and properly so, was available to assist the movement. It was estimated that there were 3000 children in this unhappy state, so it would be seen that the assistance to each from this source would be small, and they must rely chiefly on what could be obtained in the manner he had referred to. ■ In conclusion, he would like to extend the grateful, thanks and appreciation of the executive, to all those who had so generously assisted them, and take this opportunity of appealing for a continuance of the excellent work done. (Applause.) , ~ ~ Mr M. S. Myers seconded the motion. He said that the report, for a young society such as theirs, spoke very well indeed for the work done. It was clear that the society had nothing but friends and well-wishers, and there was not the slightest criticism that the work was not well justified. The society was fortunate, considering the amount of work earned out, that its Capital Fund was so well maintained. He would like to congratulate their president on the interest he was taking in their society.—(Applause.) The motion was carried. i OFFICE-BEARERS. j

Office-bearers were appointed as follows: —Patrons, the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) and Sir Percy Sargood; president, Mr F. W. Mitchell; vice-presidents —Messrs P. L. Halsted. James Hogg, J. L. Salmond, J. Renfrew White, J. G. Dykes, and Arthur Barnett; committee —Bishop Fitchett, Sir Louis Barnett, Dr J. Thomson, Dr M'Kibbin, Dr Gerald Fitzgerald, Monsignor Morkahe, Dean Cruickshank, Dr A. J. Cottrell, Dr C. E. Herons, Rev. F. V. Fisher, Messrs George Simpson, T. C. Ross, J. B. Waters, V, S. Jacobs, James Farquharson. J. T. Paul, P. L. Halsted, J. G. Dykes, W. E. S. Knight, Arthur Barnett, W. 11. Shepherd, W. A. Flavell, Maurice Myers, J. 11. F. Hamel, Alfred Ibbotson, J. B. Shaddock, James Begg, J. J. Marlow, I). C. Cameron, Richard Hudson, Alexander Laurenson, P. W. Stabb, C. B. Barrowclough, Thomas Somerville. C. V. Smith, R. S. Black, H. J. Guthrie. J. C. Sliand, Gerald Benson, James Brown. A. Muniford, Dean Cruickshank. Gerald Lane, Peter Findlay, S. Dunkley; secretary, Mr R. S. M. Sinclair; treasurer, Mr W. R. Brown; auditors, Messrs W. E. C. Reid and Co. FOLLOWING UP CASES. Mr Renfrew White said that during his visit to England he had gained information which he was sure would be of value to their society. He thought it would be hardly possible to improve on the admirable work that had been done, as had been outlined in the report. He thought that the society had made a splendid start. He referred to the steps taken to get into touch with cases, and what had been done. They had already six to eight children coming to the Hospital every week. Their work in this connection was not yet by any means

completed. _ Mr White said that one important point would be to warch_ for tho entirely new eases as well as looking after those at present existing. He referred to the advances made in the • treatment of crippled children in England and ScotA land, and said that the cases in the records of their own society formed a very heterogenious list. Many of the cases were the result of a general condition of malnutrition—a condition which was widespread in all countries—but it should not be so widespread in this country, with its large' primary products. There was no doubt that their society had come into existence at the right moment, and that it was going to do a work of great value to both the crippled children and the parents of. those children.— (Applause.) In answer to a question by the -chairman, both Dr Newlands.and Mr White agreed that it would hardly be possible or desirable to make incipient cripple conditions compulsorily notifiable.