GROWING MEMBERSHIP

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1932, Page 8

GROWING MEMBERSHIP

STRATFORD HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION NOW 715 CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS The fact that there was an av «- a S c last year of 715 financial membeis testifies to the importance of the opeia _ 10 of the Stratford Hospital D stint Friendly Societies’ Association, whose fourth annual meeting was held on In day evening. Mr. R. E. J. Kivell piesided over delegates from the various contributing friendly societies. The annual report, stated that whereas only 1288 davs of hospital tie.itment were incurred by the previous year, the total for the past year had risen to 219- days, a le markably heavy increase in view of the fact that membership incieased only from a quarterly average of 0-8 males and 40 females to 071 males and 44| females. This extraordinary amount of hospital treatment had naturally been reflected in the finances of the association. The sum of £635 3s. was paid to the Stratford Hospital Board, as against £593 7s. 9d. last year, while the total value of accounts incurred by members taken at the full hospital rate

was as follows: Stratford hospital £7OO 125., other New Zealand £3b14s/ Gd., private hospitals ® 3- ’ anaesthetic and X-ray fees £69 195., a total of £1154 Us.' Gd. Contrary to the experience of previous years, the association had not this year proved so profitable to the board as might have been expected. However, the working of the association could not be condemned or commended except after being in operation a period or years, and the association had been in existence only three years, the first two being highly satisfactory _ from every point of view. The council, of. the association expressed its appreciation of the manner in which the Stratford Hospital Board had assisted its organisation, and took the opportunity of thanking members, especially the chairman (Mr. W. L. Kennedy) and the secretary (Mr. 1. Harry Penn). The statement of the associations management fund disclosed a surplus of £9 15s. lid., while there was £6 10s. on fixed deposit. In moving the adoption of the report' and balance-sheet the chairman emphasised that an exceptional amount, of sickness or injury necessitating hospital treatment had occurred during the year. The number of days incurred by. members at hospitals was practically double that of the previous year and could only be regarded as extraordinary. Nevertheless the organisation was working smoothly and the fact that management expenses to administer such a volume of accounts amounted to only £5. for the year was a tribute to the efficiency and watchfulness of the secretary. Mr. M, Gernhoefer seconded the motion. He drew attention to the amount of £362 incurred in hospital treatment at institutions other than the Stratford hospital. Speaking as a member of the hospital board as well as a member of the association, Mr. Gernhoefer stressed the necessity for members to take their cases to the Stratford institution whenever it was practicable to do so. In future, owing to the reduction in Government subsidies and the difficulty of living within a restricted i income, the board would be compelled to . subject all accounts with outside hospitals to the minutest scrutiny.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. In view of Mr. Gernhoefer’s remarks, the secretary was instructed to communicate the position to all contributing societies. Officers were elected as follow: —President, Bro. R. E. J. Kivell (Foresters); vice-president, Bro. M. Gernhoefer (Toko M.U.); secretary and treasurer, Bro. W. Ewing (Triumph); auditor, Bro. W. Whitmill (Druids).

GENERAL ITEMS. Eighty Scouts and their friends attended a social evening in the Windsor on Friday night. Mrs. Marsh (welfare officer) and Assistant Scoutmaster Sanderson, were masters of ceremony. Scoutmaster M. Thompson, assisted by Mr. Vinsen, supplied the music, and the ladies of the Scout committee supervised supper supplied by the parents of the Scouts. A presentation was made to Patrol Leader Davies and his Kingfisher Patrol for diligence and progress made during the quarter. Scoutmaster Thompson in making the presentation expressed the hope that these quarterly competitions would ensure good-natured rivalry between the various patrols. The funds of the troop will benefit by nearly £4. As members of the Celtic Rugby team were marching from the pavilion on Saturday to take their places on the field each member, as he passed A. Collins (Stratford team) swerved out of alignment to shake the hand of the All Black and wish him success on the Australian tour..

There was a good attendance of hockey enthusiasts and supporters when the members of the Kaponga Ladies’ Hockey Club entertained the past secretary, Mrs. J. H. Tyack, at a social evening in recognition of her services to the club. Dancing was the order of the evening to music supplied by Miss Mabel Guy, Matapu. Mr. R. A. Grace was master of ceremonies. Mr. Grace, in making a presentation to Mrs. Tyack, said he had to apologise for the absence through illness of the club president, Mrs. A. V. Tait.

The Eltham Basketball Club’s dance drew a good attendance at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Saturday. Music was supplied by Sait’s Orchestra. Supper was served. There were two Monte Carlos, the first being won by Mr. P. Holton and Miss F. Campbell, and the second by Mr. - Baldock and Miss Lyna Patts. Misses Tipler and R. Mickelson played for extra dances. Mr. E. Tipler was master of ceremonies. Unemployed registered in Eltham up to date amount to 143. Several men have been transferred to other districts, where work has been found for them.