PLUNKET SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 22008, 6 May 1933, Page 20

PLUNKET SOCIETY

LUMSDEN BRANCH. ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Correspondent), The fourth annual meeting of the Lumsden branch of the Plunket Society was held in the Oddfellow’s hall, Lumsden on Tuesday afternoon, May 2, when Mrs J. Marshall presided over a large attendance of members and subscribers, including the following delegates from sub-branches: Mesdames Shand, Menzies and McLean (Dipton); Mesdames Blatch, Young and A. Chartres (Mossburn), Mesdames McDonald, Wilson, Hood and Grant (Balfour), Mesdames King and Anderson (Winton). Queenstown was not represented. Reports and balance-sheets were presented by the secretaries of the various sub-branches. The Lumsden branch’s report was submitted by Mrs C. McAlister (treasurer) and showed a very satisfactory credit balance. A tribute was paid by Mrs McDonald (Balfour) to the work of the secretary and treasurer in preparing ,the balance-sheet and for the work done in connection with the administration of the branch. Nurse Sim’s report for the year read as follows: Headquarters, home visits 303; visits to rooms, adults 216, babies 178, pre-school children 62; new cases 20; new cases between Lumsden and Kingston, 7; outstations, home visits 72; visits to rooms, adults 1134; babies 1021; pre-school children 228; new cases 92; total new cases, 119; total home visits, 1024; total visits to rooms, adults 1350; babies 1199, pre-school children 290. Sub branches were visited as follows: Balfour 25 times, Mossburn 24, Dipton 23, Wjnton 52, Queenstown 23. These figures did not include the numerous letters and advice given by telephone every day to mothers living in the country. Two sick babies were admitted to the Invercargill Karitane Hospital during the year and were now strong and healthy. Two mothers and babies were admitted to the Dunedin Karitane Hospital for establishment of natural feeding, this object being achieved. Three baby cases of bronchitis readily responded to medical attention. The general health throughout the year had been satisfactory. In the report the nurse wished to thank the committee for its consideration at all times, Mr Portcous and Mr Marshall for conveyance and also all mothers and friends whose co-operation had made work in the district such a pleasure.

The report for the year 1932-33 showed that it had been a very successful one bojh from a financial point of view and also as regards membership and the interest taken in the work. At the beginning of the year just past they welcomed Nurse Sim. From reports to hand she had proved herself a thoroughly efficient and popular nurse. It was with regret that they had to record the loss of two members to the branch, Mrs Isaacs and Mrs Poppelwell, who endeared themselves to all. The sub-branches had all met their obligations to the branch, thus assisting the treasurer in the administration o( the funds. The assistance given, to Queenstown was the means of helping that committee to further efforts and it was now free of debt to the branch. The delegates to the conference from this branch were Mrs Marshall and Mrs Campbell. Mrs Marshall was the delegate appointed for a position on the council, but she was defeated by Mrs Bodkin, of Alexandra. Thanks were due to all members of the committee who had so willingly given their time and assistance to further the work of the society. In moving the adoption of the report Mrs Marshall thanked members and officers for the assistance given during her term of office and wished the new officers every success in the future. In vacating the chair Mrs Marshall called on Mrs King (Winton) to act as chairwoman to receive nominations for president for the ensuing year. The newly-elected committee is as follows: President, Mrs Marshall (reelected); vice-presidents, Mesdames Hamilton and Irwin; secretary, Mrs J. Campbell (re-elected); treasurer, Mrs A. McAlister (re-elected); executive, Winton, Mesdames King and T. J. Smith; Dipton, Mesdames Menzies and McLean; Mossburn. Mesdames A. Chartres and Blatch; Balfour, Mesdames Wilson and McDonald: Lumsden, Mesdames Graham, Welsh, Little, Robb, Geary, Malone and Miss McDonald; new members proposed for Lumsden committee, Mesdames L. Graham, J. Bain, J. Crawford and F .Belesky; Advisory Board, Messrs Marshall, McAlister, Clouston, Brash, Campbell and Hamilton. A grant of £5 was made to tne Invercargill Karitane Hospital.