THE PLUNKET SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 17

THE PLUNKET SOCIETY

MONTHLY MEETING INVERCARGILL BRANCH The monthly meeting of the committee of the Invercargill branch of the Plunket Society was held in the Women’s Club on Wednesday. The president, Mrs R. M. Strang, presided over the following members:—Mesdames James Robertson, A. Derbie, A. E. Bath, T. Bailey, L. C. Smith, Roy Hanan, J. Pickard, A. S. Hogg, D. Kilkelly, W. Mo watt, E. E. Boyd, T. F. Gilkison, Roy Anderson, E. J. Mills and Miss E. S. Hackworth (secretary). An apology was received from Mrs Dickens. The president welcomed Mrs Phillips, secretary of the Greymouth branch, a visitor to Invercargill, who was present at the invitation of the committee. Mrs Anderson and Mrs Gilkison reported on the arrangements made for holding community singing in Invercargill in aid of the funds of the society. They had received a ready response and offers of assistance from the men appealed to, who propose to form a committee, and start almost immediately. Mr G. F. Tobin attended the meeting, and explained the steps to be taken for the distribution and sale of the Coronation Cookery Book of the recipes given by women of Southland to assist the funds of the society. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr and Mrs G. F. Tobin and Mr and Mrs J. C. Prain for undertaking the work on behalf of the Invercargill branch of the society.

The resignation of Mr C. C. Jennings from the Advisory Board was received with regret. The secretary was instructed to write to Mr Jennings expressing the thanks of the committee for his work on the board, and for the many other ways he had helped the society with his advice and assistance. The following were appointed a visiting committee for next month:— Karitane-Hunt hospital, Mesdames Strang, Derbie, Gilkison, Bath, Bailey and Kilkelly; Anderson Home, Mrs Hogg; Waikiwi, Mrs Pickard; South Invercargill, Mrs Robertson; Rest Room, Mrs Mills. Nurses’ Reports The nurses’ reports read as follows:— Matron Ingold reporting from the Karitane-Hunt hospital stated that the number of patients in on February 28 was three mothers and four babies. Two mothers and six babies were admitted for treatment, and four mothers and four babies were discharged. The number of patients in on March 31 was one mother and six babies, and the largest number in on any one day was three mothers and six babies. Mothers were admitted from Invercargill and Winton, and babies were admitted from Invercargill, Winton and Morton Mains. There were 64 visitors to the hospital during the month. The following gifts were gratefully acknowledged:—Singlets from the Mataura Women’s Institute, and fruit from Mrs Brash and Miss Brown.

Nurse Maclntyre reporting on the sub-branches stated that Riverton was visited five times when 17 visits were paid to homes, and 38 adults, 40 babies and one older child visited the robips; there were four new cases. Bluff was visited five times, when 24 homes were visited and 61 adults, 62 babies and one older child visited the rooms; there were four new cases. Four visits were paid to Tuatapere, when 12 homes were visited and 23 adults, 22 babies and one older child visited the rooms; there were three new cases. Otautau was visited twice, when nine visits were paid to homes and 17 adults and 17 babies visited the rooms; there was one new case. Two visits were paid to Orepuki, when seven homes were visited and 12 adults, 10 babies and one older child visited the rooms. One visit was paid to Ohai, when one home was visited and five adults and five babies visited the rooms; there was one new case. Nightcaps was visited once, when two homes were visited and 10 adults, 10 babies and one older child visited the rooms; there was one new case. Three visits were paid to Wright’s Bush, when 13 adults and 14 babies visited the rooms.

Nurse Mclntyre reporting from the Anderson Home, Gala street, stated that the total number of new cases for town and country was 52, and the total number of new cases at the centre (babies only) was 35. Sixty-four visits were paid to homes where there were new cases, and 472 to homes where there were old cases. The office was visited by 497 adults, 452 babies and 68 older children. There were 1001 babies and 233 older children under supervision. Nine letters had been received, and seven written. The general health of the babies was satisfactory, but there had been a smaller attendance at the rooms owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic. Reporting from Waikiwi Nurse Rhind stated that five visits had been paid to

Waikiwi, when 46 visits were paid to homes and 92 adults, 89 babies and 21 older children visited the office; there were four new cases. The general health of the babies was good. Nurse Maclntyre reporting on the out-stations stated that at South Invercargill 127 visits were paid to homes and 124 adults, 120 babies and 26 older children visited the rooms; there was one new case. The Rest Rooms had been visited by 41 adults, 38 babies and one older child, and there were three new cases.