RED CROSS SOCIETY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5601, 5 April 1943, Page 3

RED CROSS SOCIETY

TE AWAMUTU SUB-CENTRE

THE YEAR REVIEWED

The following reports from country branches and conveners of various sections were read at the annual meeting of the Te Awamutu Red Cross Sub-Centre on Thursday last:—

HAIRINI , ?The president, Mrs A. E. Hall, subthe following report:— Owing to the absence of our very good secretary, Mrs Cairns, who is at present on holiday and not having access to the minute book, I am not able to give a detailed report of the year’s activities. However, I can in a general way give a brief outline. In addition to the usual routine work of the branch, with its sales table, its distributioh of wool and materials for making into garments, we also had competitions for best flowers, vegetables, and cakes, which brought in money in entry fees, or fines for no entries, and were then sold. A demonstration of camouflage netmaking was kindly given by Mr Russo and a number of nets were completed. An interesting demonstration with her spinning wheel was given by Miss Blanche Kay. Lectures on home nursing were given by Mrs Macky and Mrs Warburton, and we are indebted to these ladies for coming out on cold winter nights and giving us so much help; and also to Mrs Gordon Johnston, who very kindly placed her comfortable rooms at our disposal. A very high percentage of candidates were successful in gaining their certificates.

The branch’s day at the Te Awamutu depot raised £4O, all the members working enthusiastically. There is a membership of 38 in our branch. Fifty-six made up garments have been handed into the Depot by Mrs Verity. Sewing afternoon’s were held at Mrs A. Storey’s house, and many used garments remade. As wool secretary, I obtained 135 ounces from the Depot and handed in 39 knitted articles; not so many as last year, but woql was hard to get. We are grateful to Mrs Dibble for the successful way she has carried out her duties as president for two years, often when her health was very indifferent.

The balance-sheet as presented by Mrs Collison, hon. treasurer, shows the receipts to amount to £9B 4s 6d; the small sum of 12s 8d was expended on materials, etc. Soldiers’ parcels, including postage, amounted to £l5, and were sent to soldiers from this district. The balance remaining, £B2 Ils lOd, has been paid into the Te Awamutu Depot. WHAREPUHUNGA Mrs Leaman, president, reported: During the last year the Wharepuhunga sub-branch of the Red Cross Society has continued to hold Red Cross meetings, alternately each month with the local Welfare League meetings. We have approximately twenty members, all of whom have worked enthusiastically throughout the year. Our main function was a garden party held at Mrs Alex. Reid’s home—a most enjoyable day, which brought in £27 for the Red Cross. We have also made toys and done some wicker work, which, together brought in £6 6s. Knitting and sewing have, as usual, been carried on during the year. At our last meeting, held as the combined second birthday party of the Red Cross sub-branch and the Welfare League, we were pleased to welcome Mrs Downes, Mrs McClymont, Mrs Macky and Mrs Sullivan, who spent the afternoon with us. During the year our contributions to the Te Awamutu Red Cross amounted to some £4O.

I wish to express my sincere thanks to all our members who have worked so loyally and enthusiastically, and to Mrs Downes and other members of the Te Awamutu sub-centre, who have worked so loyally and enthusiastically, and to Mrs Downes and other members of the Te Awamutu subcentre, who have always been so encouraging and considerate to our subbranch. FRONTIER SUB-BRANCH In presenting the first annual report, Mrs Geo. Clarke stated: — For the first three months our meetings were held in the homes of our members, as we had no fixed abode, but in April, through the generosity cf Mr Wyllie, we are able to use his cottage. We hold our meetings on the second Tuesday of each month and a feature of these meetings is the sales table, which is always well patronised. At our meetings we have made bandages, dressings, and, with Mrs L. Nicholson’s tuition, we have made papier mache splints and trays for our own Red Cross chest. Our knitters and sewers have also kept up the good work, and we have been able to hand " n to the depot a good collection. JOn April 16th we stocked and took «prge of the depot, and as a result we were able to hand over the sum of £l6 16s 7d. Our membership is 16, two of whom live in town. Goods handed in to depot are as follow:—Nine pairs men’s sox, 6 balaclavas, 1 child’s singlet, 1 pair bloomers, 2 pairs men’s pyjamas, 2 sleeping suits, 1 bonnet, 6 scarves, 3 pairs mittens, 8 children’s dresses, 13 face flannels, 6 pairs children’s pyjamas, 2 boys’ shirts, 2 quilts for unit, and a good collection of used clothing. We have paid into depot _the sum of £53, including £l4 as our special contribution to the blinded soldiers’ fund. Every month our members pay Is towards our local soldiers’ parcel fund, and during the year we have collected £l2 3s 3d. We have packed and sent

16 parcels, costing £ll 4s 7id, leaving a balance of £1 18s Bid. We have had a very good year and I tender my sincere thanks to all our local members for the loyal support they hage given me, I hope that by the time the next annual meeting comes around the clouds of war will be clearing and peace is in view. I wish also to thank Mrs Downes and her coworkers in the depot for the assistance and encouragement they have always so readily given. They have all been an inspiration to us all. KIHIKIHI The following report was read by Mrs R. P. Robinson, president:— During the year interest has been well maintained, with an average attendance of 20. We have taken our turn at the Depot and at serving tea at the three-monthly concerts. We had a very successful flower show in November, and we formed a papier mache class and manufactured a number of splints and trays. We have had demonstrations in wool spinning, and we have had some interesting talks on subjects connected with nursing and in the use of gas in warfare. As a result of the talk on gas we have been reading each meeting from a series of papers on the subject and have already read the papers on eye, nose, lung and skin irritants in gas warfare. We have formed a P.O.W. welfare fund to buy wool to knit up for our local prisoners of war. We handed in the following articles: 95 finished knitted and 6 sewn articles to the Depot and the sum of £54 11s, together with subscriptions, £3 ss, and the following sum: £6 14s 6id has been collected, £3 Is 4d has been spent buying wool, with which 8 pairs of socks and one balaclava have been knitted and given to relatives of prisoners of war. KORAKONUI This report was tendered by Mrs Lethbridge:— During the year the branch has met once every second month, but the members are working with their usual enthusiasm. Papier mache classes were held and our First Aid cabinet w’as equipped with splints, bowls and trays, etc. A drive for scrap mietal met with a good response. Thernetal was delivered to Te Awamutu by Mr Glassey, carrier. In December our branch was in charge of the tea at the entertainment for soldiers’ relatives. In July we had one day at the Depot, the sum of £6l being taken. Our appeal for blind soldiers is to take place next week. We hope for a generous response. Meanwhile the girls of the district have held a dance and handed in £5 7s 6d for the fund. We have 32 financial members and have collected £ll6 5s 2d for the year. In conclusion, I should like to thank Mrs Downes and staff for their help and advice in all matters. MANGAPIKO . The following is a resume of Mangapiko’s activities:— The membership of the Mangapiko Red Cross branch stands to-day at 29 members. We started the year ’with a cash balance in hand of £5 14s 4d. In addition members have raised, principally by monthly cash contributions and, bring and buy tables £B7 13s Id, the total pay in for the year amounting to £93 7s sd. There being a shortage of wool available for knitting, members made a number of children’s garments from “things new and old.” - These were sold on the day allotted to our branch at the Red Cross shop, the takings there amounting to £4l 16s 4d. Completed knitting handed in is as follows: 12 pairs socks, 2 pairs gloves, 1 balaclava, 9 pairs mittens, 4 scarves, 1 pullover, 1 flying jersey. Separate funds have also been raised for sending food parcels to soldiers of our district at the front. NGAHAPE SOUTH The president, Mrs Dymore-Brown, reported:— We have 16 members and hold our meetings every six weeks, with an average attendance of 7. The sum of £36 has been paid in to the treasurer as donations and subscriptions from our sub-committee for the year, £2l of that amount being for Blinded Soldiers’ Fund. Our sub-committee took over the sales at the depot shop on two occasions during the year, £5B being raised. A home nursing class was held during the winter; 6 members sat for the examination and 6 passed. Sewing for the year: 3 pairs pyjamas, 2 petticoats, 6 pairs socks, 3 scull caps, 12 handkerchiefs, 1 peggy square quilt. TE RORE The president, Mrs Finn, reported: In presenting the third annual report I have to state we have 40 financial members. Home nursing classes

proved popular, 28 enrolling; 12 sat for certificate, 11 being successful. Our thanks are due to Mrs Rhodes for kindly acting as tutor. Te Rore had the Depot in April, financial results being gratifying. An*appeal for funds was made in August, November and March, and 13 card evenings held. £ll2 has been handed in, less expenses £3 7s 6d, hire of hall. Owing to conditions prevailing our output, of knitted and sewn garments has been smaller than last year, but 123 garments have been handed in and members have also knitted 15 pullovers and 4 Cranwell jerseys for Air Force relations.

OHAUPO Mrs Hatrick reported:— On April 29th, 1942, the Ohaupo Road sub-branch- of the Red Cross was formed with an initial membership of 12. Since then our numbers have grown and we now total 25 members. The branch is greatly indebted to Mrs T. G. Grigg, at whose residence all our monthly meetings were held. During the year we have handed to the Te Awamutu Depot the following goods:—Knitted: 13 pairs men’s socks, 12 pairs mittens, 1 pair gloves and I scarf. Sewing: 3 pairs men’s pyjamas, 3 pairs boys’ pyjamas, 11 children’s dresses and one gent’s dressing gown. More sewing could have been done had the material been available. At different periods we have delivered to the Depot a bundle of magazines for soldiers’ camps, a parcel of papier mache, sprgical articles, and a collection of used clothing for the Maoris. Our branch secretary, Mrs T. G. Grigg, as a result of our year’s work, also handed over to the Depot treasurer the sum of £ll5 7s sd, being the grand total of the takings at our monthly meetings. Mrs Downes gave a talk on the activities of the Red Cross generally, for which our thanks are due. One special effort on which the members. We have held six bring and the raising on 15th October, 1§42, of £47 15s 2d when in charge of the Red Cross Depot in Te Awamutu. The committee wish to thank all members and outside friends who by their keen interest and unfailing support contributed to the successful running of our little branch.

In conclusion, I am sure we all agree that it is a privilege and duty to do all we. can for the boys, women and men who are doing so much for us.

PARAWERA-O’WAIRAKA VALLEY The president, Mrs H. Houston, reported:— We have a membership of 48, though only 33 households are represented, as many as 3 and 4 of a family being members. We have held six bring and buy afternoons, have collected donations on the alternative months and took the depot for one day n May. Mrs Lethbridge and the Misses Wynyard and Kay kindly gave a demonstration on papier mache work, and as a result both the Home Guard and the E.P.S. emergency chests have been well equipped with splints. With special donations handed to us we have sent parcels to our boys overseas.

A fair number of articles have been knitted, but mostly with wool from the Patriotic Depot. Bring and buy afternoons netted £156 18s 9d; donations, £56 17s; membership fees, £6; day at Depot, £3B 15s 6d; total, £258 11s 6d. This includes £4O donation from the local Maoris. We have not yet had our appeal for the Blinded Soldiers’ Fund, but it is set down for Saturday, 3rd instant. Our best thanks to Mrs Downes and other members who have visited us several times and given us every encouragement. POKURU Mrs Clarke, president, reported:— In presenting the second annual report for Pokuru branch, I am pleased to say we have had a very successful year. Our bi-monthly meetings have continued, and knitting, sewing and splint making have been carried on in co-operation with the Women’s Welfare League. The shortage of wool and material has curtailed our work to a great extent. Knitted articles, 24 in all, include socks, scarves, gloves, balaclavas, mittens and baby garments. These have been handed in with 32 sewn articles. These included bed quilts, boys’ trousers and pyjamas, girls dresses, skirts, knickers and nighties and baby clothes. Our financial efforts have been well supported by the district, and we wish also to express our appreciation of the support and encouragement we have received from our president and other Te Awamutu A concert and dance in November was very successful. Our final effort for the year was our appeal for the blind soldiers. A garden party at Mrs Law’s returned us the pleasing result of £4O. We staffed the depot on a day in June, the returns for the day being £35 12s Bd. Our financial return for the year is as follows: Paid in to Depot £123 9s 9d . Total takings £157 10s. TOKANUI-TE MAWHAI Mrs Tootill submitted the following report: — Eleven meetings have been held at the Nurses’ Home, Tokanui Hospital, and the activities of our members have been many and varied. Lectures and demonstrations in bandaging were given by Sister Kelly. There was a demonstration given by Mrs Nicholson and Miss Gertrude Wynyard of papier mache work at one of the meetings, and much interest has been taken in spinning and needlework. In June Mrs Downes, accompanied by Mrs Rainey and Mrs Macky attended our meeting and Mrs Downes gave an interesting and instructive address. On 25th June members took over the Depot in Te Awamutu, all co-operat-ing with enthusiasm towards providing goods and raffles, the day’s takings amounting to £5l 2s 7d.

In October we received an invitation to attend the meeting of the Kihikihi branch. A number of our members were able to accept the invitation and a very enjoyable afternoon was spent by us all in the Kihikihi Hall. Our December meeting was held in the form of a garden party in my garden, when £35 was taken during the afternoon. The number of sewn articles handed into the Depot have been: 14 frocks, 1 pair pyjamas, 2 aprons, 3 skirts, 1 dressing gown, 3 kettle holders. Knitted articles: 7 pairs mittens, 10 scarves, 10 pairs socks, 3 pullovers. Twenty-six parcels have been posted to soldiers from our district, many of which have been gratefully acknowledged. The sum handed in to treasurer was £64, but this does not include the sum taken at the Depot on 25th June. In .conclusion, I would like to thank Mrs Downes, on behalf of our members, for her kind help and encouragement given to us all throughout the year. TOKANUI CROSS ROADS The report as presented by Mrs Kirkham read:— We run welfare as well as Red Cross meetings, which are held every alternate month, owing to benzine restrictions, and we had the Depot on May 21st and took £33 2s. In July Mrs Lethbridge and Miss Kay kindly came and gave demonstrations in papier mache work. A large number of second hand garments were handed in at this meeting to be forwarded to the depot. Bring and buy or collections were taken at each meeting. In September we had a flower show with a small entrance fee and it proved very popular. Large numbers of garments were cut out by two ladies and distributed round to be made up for the next meeting. Owing to the shortage ofjnaterial and wool we have not the same work to report. Competitions at each meeting and musical items have been most enjoyable. In November we had a gift stall and a competition of articles made from sugar bags and showed a good response. These were all sent to the Depot for Christmas trade. £lB had been handed in to the end of November.

On March 6 a garden party was held at Mrs Stewart’s, Te Kawa Road. The president and three other ladies helped us with their presence, and we had a very successful day, realising £22 6s, which was handed in to the Depot. Also at the beginning of March we held a bring and buy stall and this, together with half the proceeds from a welfare evening, totalled £lO, which has been given in as a donation to the Blind Soldiers’ Fund. Details are: Red Cross Depot £33 2s, donations from meetings and garden party £4O 6s, donation to blind soldiers £lO, total £B3 Bs. New garments knitted 32, sewing 8. During the winter months from now on, we propose starting a series of card evenings in the different houses with a charge of Is 6d with a small prize and supper and 24 to 30 players. PUAHUE Mrs Cavanagh reported:— I have pleasure in presenting the following report:—Functions held during the year brought in the sum of £39 10s, * a bring and buy afternoon resulting in £l4 10s, and one day at the Red Cross Depot brought in £25. Subscriptions were £1 2s 6d, thus making a total of £4O 12s 6d for the year. The knitting circle have completed the following articles: 10 scarves, 18 pairs socks, 3 pairs bedsox, 1 pair seaboot stockings, 1 pair homespun stockings (prisoners of war), 9 pullovers, 1 long sleeve pullover, 1 cardigan, 11 caps, 18 pairs mittens, 3 pairs gloves, 2 pairs of seaboot stockings for minesweepers. The wool was given by Mr W. G. Park and spun by Miss Kay, of Hairini. * The Puahue Sewing Circle have supplied 16 napkins, 31 night gowns, 31 petticoats, and one costume. A boys shirt and a parcel of used children’s clothes were given. The members of the Puahue Women’s Institute grew a quantity of potatoes, which were given to the Red Cross to be sold. PATERANGI Miss C. Macky tendered the following:— In presenting this report, I am pleased to be able to report another successful year, thanks to the co-oper-ation of all members. We have 38 senior and one junior member. We have held social afternoons monthly, with an average attendance of 35. We always have a bring and buy stall and sometimes competitions and these, together with tea money, have brought in over £l5O. We were very pleased to welcome Mrs Downes and members of her committee in August and December. These visits are much appreciated and always encouraging to our members. At our August meeting Mrs Onion gave a spinning demonstration. In February we had a most interesting talk on Suva by Mrs Hardie. On May 14th we stocked and manned the Depot, taking £4B 8s 4d. Our December meeting was, as usual, our special Christmas gift stall. We were pleased to welcome members from the neighbouring Red Cross committees. The school children entertained us. The takings for the day were £7O. The last few meetings before Christmas we had working bees in preparation for the Christmas stall. Interesting letters from our boys overseas were read from time to tpme. One of our boys is a prisoner of war and we helped with his parcel. Knitting.—Owing to the wool shortage we have not been able to do as much as usual, but towards the end of last year members gave coupons to get wool to knit for our boys and we still have quite a bit of wool on hand. We have handed into the Depot 70 articles—socks 18, gloves 5, mittens 7, scarves 19, pullovers 5, long-sleeved pullover 1, balaclavas 6, kelmes 8, peggy square quilts 1. We have given to our local boys 78 articles—socks 16, scarves 2. We have 22 articles in hand. Literature.—We had two special ays for collecting books and have

sent two bundles away—one was to dur Rev. M. G. Sullivan, Waiouru. Sewing.—We have held successful sewing days in the hall and private houses. We have handed into the Depot 42 articles (15 frocks, 2 dressing gowns, 3 pairs pyjamas, 4 aprons, 12 hot bottle covers, 6 jug covers. On our Christmas stall we sold 12 articles (8 frocks, 2 romper suits, 4 pairs boys’ pants). Finance.—Cash in hand, £2O 9s 2id; days in shop £4B 8s 4d; bring and buy stalls, etc., £l5O 7s 3id; subscriptions, £4 16s; total £224 0s lOd; material, £B4 2s 5Jd; wool, £5 Is Id; hall hire, £3 10s; P.O.W. parcel, £2; paid into Central Te Awamutu Fund, £203 11s Id; subscriptions, £4 16s; balance, £1 0s 3id; total, £224 0s lOd.

We wish to thank Mrs Downes and her committee for their kindly help and assistance at all times. I wish to thank all members for their loyal support throughout the year. The ladies of Paterangi have a separate fund and have sent away ten parcels each month to our boys overseas.

Reports from Pirongia and Puahue branches were delayed on account of illness.

NURSING SECTION (Mary K. Macky, Commandant) Interest in this branch of the work was well maintained throughout 1942 in spite of transport difficulties, th& report states. Eight home nursing classes were held, the following being the various centres: Te Rore, Ngahape, Mangapiko, Hairini, and two elementary, one intermediate and one advanced in Te Awamutu. 113 persons attended the classes, 75 were examined, 72 gained certificates. Some centres have been able to have first aid classes, and now, where possible, hygiene and sanitation will be taken. This means that for three years the country women have been using their small leisure to fit themselves for a possible emergency. This is all to the good, but even better is the fact that there now must be a large educated public opinion capable of taking part in questions of public health.

V.A. Detachment. —The detachment hag maintained its strength and has 30 members, some in the reserve. The calling up of 18 year-olds means that younger girls are now unable in many cases to take this training. Members have taken part in all air raid trials, and held themselves ready at all times for duty with the St. John Ambulance if called. V.A’s. are also available for nursing duties in private homes, and have undertaken several cases of this nature. Bandage practice has been held under the tuition of Mrs Robinson, the lady superintendent, and marching practice with Mr Tootill. There were no activities during January, but monthly meetings were resumed in February, and two hygiene and sanitation classes, one pass grade and one intermediate, are now being held. The Red Cross transport has had several runs with returned wounded men, the farthest being beyond Ngaroma. Two transport members are at present studying mechanics at evening classes at the High School. One of our members is to remain at Rotorua for the duration of the war, and one has returned after a year’s service and taken a nursing position in Te Awamutu. Two ex-members are taking full nursing training at Waikato Hospital. Two members are with the Air Force. Five members have been nursing for varying periods in Hamilton during measles and mumps epidemics. The rest of us “stand and wait.” TRUST FUND Mrs W. Jeffery reported:— The fund now stands at approximately £5OOO. During the year only two meetings have been called and at the last one (October 29th) we had great pleasure in welcoming Dr Gould, who is now a member of our board. £5OO has been expended during the year, £lOO to the Plastic Surgery, Burwood, Christchurch, £lOO hospital visiting, £2OO to next-of-kin, £lOO to Wairarapa earthquake relief fund. It takes £6,000 a week for the prison-ers-of-war food parcels. Every quarterly parcel for overseas by next-of-kin is unpacked by our members and anything not suitable is taken out and the parcel is made up to the value and quality which it should contain. For the RS.A. we make up parcels for those soldiers who have no relations and they contain two pairs of socks, two handkerchiefs, two blue overalls, one pullover, toilet requisites and chocolates. WOOL DEPARTMENT The wool convenor, Mrs Nobes, reported:— • In spite of the benzine shortage which has prevented our country subcentres from holding their usual working meetings, I have been able to hand out over 2000ozs of wool to be knitted up and received back 722 articles, also a considerable number of knitted goods have been sent to the Navy League, Air Force Relations and Joint Council, from which organisations I have received grateful thanks. Goods have also been sent to hospitals and camps, both in New Zealand and overseas.

Wool is now being knitted up for prisoners-of-war, and many garments have been distributed to next-of-kin for inclusion in prisoner-of-war per seis. A considerable quantity of homespun wool is now coming to hand and some of this has already been -knitted into socks and pullovers. I take this opportunity of thanking all those ladies who have worked so hard during the past year and trust they will continue to give the same excellent support during the coming year. SEWING The convenor, Mrs Andrew, stated in her report:— I have been convenor of this branch of the work since July last, having taken over from Mrs Jeffery. Since it was all so well organised I found

it very easy to carry on. During the year 282 garments have been made, and nine cases have been despatched—four to Hamilton Depot, two to Rotorua Hospital, and three to Hamilton Hospital. I would like to thank all the sewing "convenors for their efforts and also to thank Mrs Thompson for her co-operation with me. (Mrs Downes also paid a tribute to Mrs Thompson for her work). PRISONERS OF WAR Mrs Wynyard summarised the work of this branch. The report read as follows:—Mrs O’Brien and I have had several meetings, and with the help of Auckland office we have revised our prisoner of war lists. We also contacted a number of relatives in connection with the Red Cross resolution passed in February and collected wool coupons. With these Mrs Nobes has procured a quantity of wool, which has now to be knitted up. I should like to say in this connection how grateful the relatives were for the Red Cross offer. Many are young with young children which have little time for knitting, others are working and have very little time. In many cases it would have been a very great difficulty, if not an impossibility, to buy so much wool in the time allowed —namely, from December to the end cf March. The cancellation of the coupons early in March and the sudden removal of the cancellation during the last ten days has, as you know, caused further difficulty.

Brief reports were tendered by of the entertainment section, the card evenings, and the depot, all expressing appreciation of the help given.