PLUNKET SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 23308, 18 September 1937, Page 9

PLUNKET SOCIETY

Monthly Meeting INVERCARGILL BRANCH The monthly meeting of the committee of the Invercargill branch of the Plunket Society was held in the Southland Women’s Club on Wednesday. Mrs R. M. Strang presided over the following members: Mesdames J. Robertson, A. Derbie, T. F. Gilkison, Roy Anderson, A. E. Bath, T. Bailey, P. A. Price, A. C. Dickens, J. Pickard, E. E. Boyd and E. J. Mills. Apologies were received from Mesdames Russell, Hanan, Smith and Kilkelly. Mrs Anderson and Mrs Gilkison reported regarding the community sings, the final night for the season being held next week. These sings which have been held during the winter months under the leadership of Messrs Linton Hodge and Charles Trim have been most popular, and the grateful thanks of the committee is due to the leaders and Mr D. Torrance (secretary) also to the many helpers who have given their services so willingly and whose efforts have contributed so largely to the outstanding success of the undertaking. In reference to the Karitane-Hunt Hospital it was decided to allow sheep to graze a portion of the grounds not in use. The need for a cattle stop at the main gate has long been felt and Mrs Strang reported that inquiries were being made for particulars of a stop suitable to requirements. . Dr Martin Tweed paid a visit of inspection to Invercargill during the month and expressed himself as very pleased with the manner in which the work of the society was carried out in Southland.

The matron of the Karitane-Hunt Hospital would be glad to receive donations of eggs from friends of the society who would like to help the hospital by that means.

The following are the nurses’ reports: Matron Ingold reporting from the Karitane-Hunt hospital stated that the number of patients in on July 31 was two mothers and 11 babies. Three mothers and seven babies were admitted for treatment, and four mothers and nine babies were discharged. The number of patients in on August 31 was one mother and nine babies, and the largest number in on any one day was two mothers and 13 babies. Mothers were admitted from Invercargill, Gummies Bush and Oreti, and babies were admitted from Invercargill, Gummies Bush, Oreti, Riverton and Winton. The following nurses were successful in passing their final examinations: Misses Mary Chilwell, Genevra Willis, Audrey Johnston, Winifred Porteous and Molly Dawson. There were 254 visitors to the hospital during the month, including Dr Martin Tweed and 80 members of the Women’s Division of the Fanners’ Union.

Nurse Maclntyre reporting from the Anderson Home, Gala street, stated that the total number of new cases in town and country was 75, ana the total number of new cases at the centre (babies only) was 58. One hundred visits were paid to homes where there were new cases, and 478 to homes where there were old cases. The office was visited by 754 adults, 704 babies and 122 older children. There were 946 babies and 240 older children under supervision. The general health of the babies was satisfactory. Nurse Maclntyre reporting on the sub-branches stated that Riverton was visited five times when 17 homes were visited and 61 adults, 64 babies and two older children visited the rooms; there were six new cases. Four visits were paid to Bluff, when 31 homes were visited and 74 adults, 73 babies and two > older children visited the rooms; there were two new cases. Five visits were paid to Tuatapere when nine homes were visited and 37 adults and 36 babies visited the rooms. Otautau was visited twice when nine visits were paid to homes and 19 adults and 19 babies visited the rooms; there were three new cases. Orepuki was visited twice, when two homes were visited and 13 adults, 12 babies and one older child visited the rooms; there was one new case. One visit was paid to Ohai when eight adults and nine babies visited the rooms; there was one new case. Nightcaps was visited once, when three visits were paid to homes and seven adults and seven babies visited the rooms. Wrights Bush was visited twice when two visits were paid to homes and six adults and six babies visited the rooms.

Nurse Rhind reporting from Waikiwi stated that five visits were paid to Waikiwi when 36 homes were visited and 116 adults, 113 babies and 31 older children visited the rooms; there were three new cases. The general health of the babies was fairly good. Nurse Maclntyre reporting on the out-stations stated that at South Invercargill 163 homes were visited and 201 adults, 183 babies and 26 older children visited the rooms; there were four new cases. The rest rooms were visited by 116 adults, 113 babies and 31 older children, and there were five new cases.