PLUNKET SOCIETY

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11472, 17 June 1930, Page 3

PLUNKET SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORT

Tile following are tlie annual reports of the Pahiatua and Pongaroa branches of the Plunket Society :

“As in previous years, steady progress has been maintained. Nurse McDonald has paid visits to Pongaroa monthly and periodical visits to Alangatainoka, Konini, Hukanui and Ma ngaina ire. We desire to place on record our appreciation of the splendid work and unselfish service of our nurse.

“During the absence, in England of the President, Airs: J. D. C. Crewe, Airs Shekleton, Vice-Presi-dent, ably fulfilled her duties. “From Ist January of this year the days of Nurse’s visits to Eketahuna have been re-arranged. Now’ she visits twice weekly instead of staying there from Wednesday till Friday. This arrangement is proving most satisfactory and, apart from increasing nurse’s work, it has also enabled the Branch to obtain a railway pass. This hats eased the work .of the hon. tieasurer, Airs Tinney. Airs Ivotlowski, who has been on the personnel of the Executive Committee almost ever since its inception is leaving the district, and we are losing a very valuable member. We take this opportunity of placing on record the. splendid work she has done for the. Society. “The finances of the Branch are satisfactory. The annual subscriptions have increased by £9 11s. and we trust they will steadily go on increasing. “We are again indebted, to- the T. G. McCarthy Trust for a grant of £6O, to the. Palnatua Borough and County Councils for the grant of £lO each. These grants are a great help to the finances of the. branch and lighten the work of the Committee considerably. “The annual ball was held on Thursday, 24th of August. The amount raised was not quite as much as in previous years. We thank all those who gave and helped in any way. The perambulators have been in great demand and. £8 5s has been raised from the hire, of them.

“The Pongaroa Sub-Branch shows steady progress and justifies the visits of the nurse. We again compliment the. sub-Branch. Committee on their report and balance-sheet.

“TheWhanks of the Committee are due to The T. G. McCarthy Trust, the Pahiatua Borough' and County Councils, Miss Gibson of Ballance, for collection of £5, Airs Kelsey, for papers, Mrs Hodgins. and Mrs D. Morrison for gifts of push carts, Mr A. A. Vaughan for auditing, Pahiatua “Herald’.’ Co., for publishing reports of meetings, etc., “Nurse Chandler for relieving Nurse McDonald while on annual holiday. “Members of the Branch joined with other Women's organisations in Pahiatua in making an appeal in aid of the Obstetrical Endowment Fund, and a considerable sum was raised. “The Rest Room is a great asset to country women, judging from the numbers visiting it, and, it is evident that the amount of money spent on the. upkeep is justified. Many of these women could show their appreciation by becoming members of the Society (minimum: subscription ss) or by placing donations however small in one of the collection boxes. “We hope this year to increase our membership, considerably and by so doing dispense with the hall, which entails a great amount of work. “We thank one and all for their past support and hope for a continuance of the same to this worthy object.” NURSE’S REPORT. “In presenting my report for the year ended March 31st. 1930, I would like to point out the need of greater co-operation between nurse and mother in the interests of the child. The figures for the year should give ample satisfaction, but the results of the work cannot be measured by figures, but by the growth, and nutrition of the child as it passes through the baby stage, on through childhood., to adult life. Good nutrition does not depend on food alone; but- on many things, such as food,, water, clothing, bathing, fresh air and sunshine, exercise, regularity of all habits, warmth, cleanliness, mothering, management, rest and sleep., all of which are necessary for good growth and development. The best results only conie from attention to these essentials, and although there is an increasing interest being taken in the health of the older child, the presence of such ailments as adenoids. bad tonsils, dental caries, and unfortunately some cases of rickets, signifies the need for more care in this direction. “I have to thank the committees of the three districts.—Pahiatua, Eketahuna and, Pongaroa—for their consideration and help during the year. “The following figures represent the work done in Pahiatua, Eketalhma and Pongaroa respectively:— Visits to homes 413, 195, 25: Visits of adults to rooms 1836, 776, 79; Visits of babies to rooms 1653 691, 77 ; Visits, of older children to rooms 260. 109, 37; New babies for the year 88, 36, 11. Babies still on books 207. Older children on the books 155. Number times advice given by telephone 276. Number of times advice given by letter 40. Pregnant mothers advised 32.—Elizabeth A. McDonald.” PONGAROA SUB-BR ANCH. “The Society was given a, donation of £lO from the AlcCartliy Trust. The: bai ance-shteet shows the subBrancli to be in a very healthy financial position, with assets to the value of £62 16s lOd, and liabilities nil Our thanks are duo to Mrs Theed for the use of her rooms, to all the ladies wh,o. have extended their hospitality, to. the nurse, and to Mr. C. Ferrick for a reduction in fares.—E. M. Robertson, President, R. Bird, Hon Secretary. BALANCE-SHEET, “Receipts—Balance carried forward £6O 6s lid, donations £lO 11s. subscriptions £9 Is 6d.; total £79 19s sd. “Expenditure—Fares, Nurse £l2 3s. Bureau and stamps 5s Id, goods 15s 6d, To Pahiatua “branch £lO 9s. hire of hall ss, credit balance £56 Is lOd; total £79 19s 5d-