INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1934, Page 7 (Supplement)

INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP

NEW PLYMOUTH BRANCH W.D.F.U. REPORT OF YEAR’S ACTIVITY. An increase from 35 to 54 in membership was made by the-Kew Plymouth branch of the W.D.F.U. during the year ended March 31, according to the report made to the annual meeting by the president, Mrs. T. McPhillips, yesterday. More than 20 members attended the meeting. Interest in the branch had been maintained throughout the year, 10 monthly meetings and two special meetings being held, the report stated. Only one division housekeeper was employed during the year, the branch’s financial obligation in regard to this being 15s. Several local helps were engaged, their wages being paid from branch funds. Two local housekeepers were secured for Rahotu and Okato branches.

To augment funds during the year a very successful mart was held in May, and a flag five hundred card evening in September, A competition for a pair of blankets realised a substantial sum. In November a mart was held, which enabled the branch to make a donation of £lO to the local relief committee for Christmas cheer fund. A sur . of £1 Is was donated to the Boys and Girls’ Club and 10s 6d to the Red Cross Society towards a presentation cheque to Sister Corkili. Material costing I ' Ils 9d was made into clothing and distributed to a number of families assisted by the branch.

Members made over 200 articles of clothing besides remodelling numbers of second-hand articles. A patient was sent to a rest home for two weeks, expenses being paid by the branch, and members had done good work in visiting hospitals. Several parcels were sent to the local relief committee including men’s, women's and children’s clothing and several padded wool quilts and hand-knitted, woollen, peggy-square quilts. A pumber of very instructive demonstrations had been given on various useful arts and crafts. An interesting address was given by Mr. V. C. Davies on the raising of plants from seed, and general gardening. A lecture by Sister Corkili, of the Red Cross Society, on the making and applying of poultices and the bandaging of wounds, first explaining and* then demonstrating the pressure points at which to arrest excessive haemorrhage of the limbs, was of great interest. One parcel of school books was sent to children in the backblocks. Two large cases of books and magazines were despatched to the book club at Wanganui and several parcels of books to branches in the country.

From two delegates sent to Wellington to attend the annual conference the branch received a full and interesting report of work done there. rT 'he president attended a meeting of the Dominion executive and Bush Nurse and Housekeeper Auxiliary at Wanganui on January 21 and 25 and a meeting of the Bush Nurse and Housekeeper Auxiliary was held at New Plymouth on April 13. The members of the New Plymouth branch took charge of a combined

Women’s Division court at the last New Plymouth winter show. It was arranged that two would always be in attendance at the stall to show and explain the work exhibited, especially thrift articles. They were rewarded by the interest shown by the public. A number of members of the New Plymouth branch assisted the local relief committee when a Christmas party was given to some 800 children of the unemployed. During the year the branch has been represented at a number of Women’s Division anniversary gatherings, which gave an opportunity for friendly discussion on the work of branches. The combined exchange mart in connection with the North Taranaki executive had been established and thanks to tire generosity of several of the members of the Now Plymouth branch in attending, the shop had been open daily. In conclusion the president thanked Mrs. Frethey, whose resignation from the position of secretary was reluctantly accepted in the early part of the year, and. her successor, Mrs. Hannan, for their efforts m the interest of the branch. The treasurer, Mrs. McGuire, the branch committee, all who gave demonstrations and addresses, and all members were thanked for their support. A credit balance of £9 8s 4d was shown for the year’s working. This estimate did not include £5 set aside for the Community Chest. The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs. McPhillips; vice-presidents, Mesdames T. Smiley and H. Marfell; secretary, Mrs. G. Hannan; treasurer, Mrs. N. Arthur. Reference was made to the loss the branch had suffered by the departure of Mrs. Tomlins. It was reported that a letter of appreciation of the services she had rendered had been sent to her by the secretary. An invitation to an anniversary celebration was received from the Opunake branch. The function is to be held on May 4, and it was left to individual members to arrange attendance.