PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14864, 11 September 1918, Page 2

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

The committee of the Plunket Society; met on Monday afternoon, 16 members being present, .Mrs. Buchanen presiding.

Nurse Thompson's report was read, showing a very bu,vy month, visits having been paid to Motueka, >Vakefield, Brightwater, Richmond and Stoke, bosides extra work undertaken in the care of two babies whose mothers were unable to look after them after the departure of the monthly nurse. The Plunket rooms had also been well attended, with satisfactory results. A letter was read from Nurse Honoyfield, acknowledging the wedding gift and good wishes sent by the committee.

The' minutes of tho General Council meeting of August 2Gth were read These included a letter received from Dr. J. L. Pintoj Health Officer at Surat, India, asking ior copies of the society's literature, and commenting upon the excellent work done in New Zealand, as shown by an article by Alice Woodhouse on "Baby-saving in New Zealand." Also a letter from the secretary of the Children's Welfare Association, Melbourne, inviting a delegate from the Plunket Society to attend an inter-State conference of the association" in November and December, and to road a paper on. "The Care of Infant Life." Mrs. Truby King had been asked to go, but stated that she would not be able to do so, but would send a paper as suggested, which she hoped would afford an opening for the inauguration of a similar movement in Melbourne to the New Zealand Plunket Society. Preliminary suggestions were made with regard to a rest-room for mothers at the Richmond Show ; Mr. Wilkes, Mayor of Richmond, had promised his help, and Mr. Glen, secretary of the association, had been communicated with as to accommodation.

Accounts were passed for payment to the amount of £17 -7a lOd. A financial statement was made by the treasurer, from which it appeared that the society's funds available for immediate ■use are getting low; subscribers are therefore appealed to for an early payment of their subscriptions for the present year, which are" now due. Mrs. Truby King spoke of her visit to the society at Blenheim, which she found very enthusiastic and doing excellent work, the Plunket Nurse also paying vits to Picton. The Blenheim branch has suggested the desirablity of having a baby-day this ' year, which suggestion has been forwarded by Mrs. King to the Central Council.

A resolution was passed, moved by Mrs. Graham, and seconded by Mrs. R. Fell/ expressing the sympathy of the Nelson branch and its willingness to co-operate in this matter.

The many friends of Dr. Turby King, and all who are interested in bis work, will be -pleased to know of the success he is meeting with in t his mission to England. An organisation on the lines of the Plunket Society lias been established—''The Babies of the Empire- Society" in connection with which Dr. King has given a series of lectures at the training centre, Earl's Court, on the feeding and care of infants. He has also given a course on the care of mother and child, with special refernce to the ■ work of midwives, under the auspices of the London County Council. Dr. King was also on the executive of th© council for the National Baby Week—first week in July—and, on the invitation of the1 governors, has lectured at St. Thomas's Hospital with great success, besides giving lectures at many other places in the North of-England. Everywhere h© has been received with enthusiasm and thorough appreciation.