PLUNKET SOCIETY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 239, 10 May 1933, Page 4

PLUNKET SOCIETY

Stratford Branch Operations

ANNUAL MEETING HELD

The annual meeting of the Stratford Plunket Society was held yesterday afternoon in the Borough Chambers, the Mayor-elect, Mr. J. W. McMillan, a member of the advisory board, presiding; over an attendance of members. The annual report and balancesheet (published in last night’s Post) was unanimously adopted.

In moving the adoption of the report the president, Mrs. J. C. McDowell. said that the measure of success achieved during the year was almost overwhelming. It was largely due to (ho work of the executive, general committee and large number of people who assisted to organise the baby carnival. There were very few people in tlm town who did not help the society in connection with the carnival and consequently the amount of money raised was such that the advisory board had more to do this year than it had for some time. Continuing Mrs. McDowall commented on the comprehensive report submitted by Nbrsc Hooper. The report indicated to some extent the great increase in (be work, Stratford having tho largest one-nurse branch in New Zealand, Today it was even bigger, for_t.be percentage of new babies was higher than (he general average for the Dominion. The work continued to expand, rapidly and young mothers were constantly seeking the advice of the nurse. It was pleasant to note that the work of the society had been commented on by the headmaster of the Stratford Primary School, Mr. h. J. Furrie, who had remarked on (he splendid physique of those children attending the school who had been brought up under the Plunket system. The matter of charges had been raised in regard to mothers receiving advice, hut the aim of the society was to keep healthy and well, and mothers could not be expected to pay when there was nothing wrong with the babies. Some mothers, ton, could not afford to pay and it would put the nurse in an invidious position to ask her to discriminate between (hose able and unable to pay. The services of the nurse would necessarily have to be free to all. In conclusion Mrs. McDowall said that the society commenced the year with an overdraft of £323, but ended with a credit of £75. “We still want money, however,” she! added', “and wo hope that our efforts during tho year to raise it will be attended with success.” Congratulations on its work during the year were extended to the society by Mr. McMillan, who favourably commented on the report and balancesheet. However, the society must continue its activities. He considered a wise choice had been shown in the appointment of the executive. He expressed pleasure at the election of the past-president to the position of tho president of the New Plymouth Society, and congratulated the Elthaiu branch on its splendid work. Election of Officers The following officers were elected: Patronesses, Mrs. A. W. Budge and Dr. Doris Gordon; president, Mrs. J. C. McDowall; vice presidents, Mesdames J. Fredric, C. Martin and R. Masters; general town committee, Mesdam.es CuthbeH, Ricra, Hall, Allen, Hunt, R. H. White, Bishop, Jardine, Steven, Malone, T. King, Haselden, Nowell, C. Williams, McCullough, Wynyard, Armstrong, Moss Rutherford, E. H. Young, Stevenson, Pooley, Galbraith, Casey, Campbell and Cooper (Eltham); country representatives, Mesdames Kirkby, Henderson, Burton, Hine, Shannon, Schumacher, Adlam, R. Smith, G. Smith, Marchant, Harkness, Wheller, O’Reilly, Graham, Murray,’ Boyle, Groschinski and Miss C. Milne; advisory board, Drs. W. P. P, Gordon, D. Steven, B. Armstrong and Messrs. J. W. McMillan, R. Masters, D. J. Malone, R. R. Tyrer, J. W. Boon, W. J. Poison and P. Thomson; solicitor, Mr. R. R. Tyrer; auditor, Mr. F. P. D. Jefferies; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. T. Urwlu.