SISTER SMALL FAREWELLED

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1934, Page 19 (Supplement)

SISTER SMALL FAREWELLED

POPULAR RED CROSS OFFICER. MANY TRIBUTES TO HER WORK. A representative gathering of C ross members and supporters Stster Small at the Rewa rooms, Hawera, on Wednesday night. Sister Small formerly district health nurse for the South Taranaki Red Cross Societl, has been transferred to Wellington and wdl leave after Easter. , , Mr. E. K. Cameron, president of the Hawera branch, who Presided, made a presentation to Sister Small on behalf of the Hawera branch. Mr. Cameron emphasised the value of Red Cross work in peace as well as war-time and fllustrated the world-wide importance of the movement. In South Taranaki, he said, over 40 per cent, of the work was done on behalf of returned soldiers. The public was not aware ot the extent and the value of Sister Small’s work. Twenty-seven schools had junior Red Cross branches; 489 members of these had entered for a recent examination. The formation of the V.A.D. at Hawera was organised by Sister Small, and in time of emergency the corps would prove of the greatest service. Mr. Cameron recalled the rapid action of the Hawera branch in sending assistance for Napier at the time of the big earthquake. Another of Sister Small’s activities was her co-operation with the Health Department, whereby she was able to assist children whose parents were in distressed circumstances. She had received splendid support from the nurses and doctors of the district and from Mrs. Bayly, with whom she resided. Mr. I. J. Bridger, president of the South Taranaki Council, referred to the esteem in which Sister Small was held throughout Taranaki. Referring to the future of the Red Cross in South Taranaki, he said that in consequence of a visit he made to Wellington in connection with the £30,000 war-time fund being administered by the Red Cross and the St. John organisation, he had obtained permission for Taranaki to retain the two cars in its possession. The future of the movement in Taranaki, with the loss of the Health Department subsidy, was doubtful. The organisation had proved too successful, in that its growth had made it costly. Mr. Bridger made presentations to Sister Small on behalf of the Mangatoki school Junior Red Cross circle and the Eltham Red Cross committee and class. The Mayor of Hawera, Mr. J. E. Campbell, paid a tribute to Sister Small’s good citizenship. Every project for the good of the town had received her assistance, he said. Hawera was the richer for her stay there, and he hoped that in the future it would be possible for her to return. t Mr. H. A. Morgan, chairman of the Citizens’ Relief Committee, eulogised Sister Small’s work in the alleviation of distress. Assisted by the V.A.D., which she had formed, she had performed a wonderful work amongst the sick in distressed circumstances. Mr. Morgan apologised for Mr. C. Evans, who was unable to attend, and for him expressed the thanks and good wishes of the unemployed- - ~ . . Mr. W. G. Simpson, ex-president of the Hawera branch, added a tribute and criticised the department for withholding the subsidy. Dr. Mary Champtaloup, school medical officer, said the Health Department knew and appreciated Sister Small’s work. In reply Sister Small expressed her regret at leaving South Taranaki and paid a tribute to the spirit of co-oper-ation which was noticeable throughout the district and which had greatly facilitated her work. Items were given by Miss J. Henson and Miss D. Bryant. Mrs. A. K. Fyson played the accompaniments.