RED CROSS SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1934, Page 5

RED CROSS SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING HELD WORK IN NORTH TARANAKI. REPORTS OF YEAR’S WORKING. The New Plymouth branch of the Red Cross Society finished the financial year with a credit balance of £39 15s 6d, it was stated at the annual meeting last night The year had been successful, the chief regret being the impending departure of Sister M. Corkill. Archdeacon G. H. Gavin presided over an attendance of more than 20. During the year the society suffered very deep loss in the death of Mrs. W. L. Newman, a life member, and one who has since the formation of the society at New Plymouth taken a very active interest in the relief work of the society, the report stated. Owing to her departure from New Plymouth in February, 1934, Miss E. M. Gibson tendered her resignation as a member of the committee. Miss Gibson had been oh the committee for a long period, acting as hon. secretary and treasurer for some years.

At the beginning of. last winter a donation of £5 was made to the North Taranaki Headmasters’ Association as a nucleus of a fund for providing hot milk or cocoa .to children attending the schools at New Plymouth who were unable to afford to' pay. The committee appreciated the donation of £l5 from the trustees of the New Plymouth Savings Bank. It also expressed gratitude to the firm of G. H. Scales, Ltd., Wellington, for a donation of £5 to be expended on relief work, also to several , anonymous donors of £5 each. The society again affiliated to the New Plymouth branch of the National Council of Women, the society’s representatives on the council being Mrs. Chapman and Sister Corkill. A bridge and five hundred evening resulted. in a ’ net profit of £8 Os 6d. The annual street and house-to-fiouse collection in conjunction with the District Nurse’s Association respited in a profit of £57 18s 4d. . . SISTER CORKILL’S REPORT. 'Sister Corkill reported that the year had been a very busy one, with the work divided into so many classes of activity. There had been ’ two home nursing classes at New Plymouth, with a total membership of 37, and one home nursing class at Oakura (a sub-centre of New Plymouth) with a membership of 10. A class in the same subject at the Girls’ High School had a membership of 40. The society was indebted to Drs. G. H. Thomaonand W. J. Reid, Sister M. Jackson, Mrs. W. F. Southam and Miss N. Dempsey for conducting the examinations for 1 members of these classes. All members who sat for examination; gained their ' certificates, while three members gained medallions and two gained advanced bars to their medallions. Talks on' home nursing, and first aid subjects were;'given to many branches ’ of the' Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, and other organisations.

.The Collins -Cup competition for home nursing teams was ■ held at’ New Plymouth in September and was . competedfor by five teams. The winning team was Rawera,. and New Plymouth was second with high marks also. The Society.' was indebted to the Taranaki Hospital Board, the medical superintendent and Miss Campbell, matron, for the use of the lower Tabor Ward for the . competition, arid to Mrs. Cameron, Misses Beswick and Dempsey, and Sisters Jackson and Dew for their assistance in judging the competition. The? Home Nursing Detachment had a busyyear. Sister Corkill wished to thank- all the members of the detachment for the splendid way they worked during the year, special mention being made-of the president, Mrs. Chapman, and of the secretary, Mrs. McCleave, who on many occasions had done much extra work. Another detachment member, Mrs. E. Smith, had done splendid work for the society. ; All ■’Junior Red Cross circles worked well during the year, carrying but various activities in, connection with all phases of their work. Five circles had classes in first aid, and all were visited periodically to discuss activities. Many contributions, both in money and goods, were received from circles for the relief of distress in the town. Portfolios from overseas circles were received by local ones, and at the present time nine circles were busy compiling portfolios to send to many parts of the world. It was to be regretted that it was impossible to give sufficient time to the junior movement to advance it as it should be advanced in the schools.

The "Health Department work covered the usual routine of school medical work, the medical officer being assisted in the examination of 18 schools in the North Taranaki area. The same number of schools was re-inspected later. Fifteen schools were visited by special request of teachers regarding various complaints, some of these being visited a number of times.; Treatment was given in 43 cases and 300 parents were visited regarding treatment required •by the children. Glasses were supplied in several cases. Other special work in' connection with departmental requirements was also carried out. SOCIAL WELFARE WORK. The social welfare work increased considerably during the year and made a big work in . itself. Mrs. Seldon, Mrs. Chapman and Miss Wilson did splendid work and were the greatest possible help. The Red Cross rooms were open regularly for this work on two afternoons weekly, and applicants for relief were inter-, viewed'on iriany other occasions as well. A total of 367 visits was paid to homes and treatments were given in 53 cases. In conjunction with the Mayor’s Relief Council' the clothes depot was attended each week by members of the society to distribute the garments. Assistance was also given in all other' activities of the Relief - Council where the society could help; ’ Sister Corkill expressed regret at severing her connection with the society after eight happy years of service with it, and - ’ thanked the members for many kindnesses received and help given during that period. The home nursing department showed a credit balance of £3 Ils 7d, it was reported. The sewing guild made more than 180 garments for distribution. On March 18 a. picnic A d been held at Pukekura Park, wli. - was decided to' make the gathering ~n. annual affair. Thanks were due to, Sister Corkill for her help. .- Card evenings had been held during the winter. • ' . Regret was expressed at Sister, Corkill’s departure. She had been instrumental in founding the detachment and by her work had helped it to. success. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted: 1 Patrons, Mr. and Mrs. H. V. S. Griffiths; president, Archdeacon G. H. Gavin; vicepresidents, seven elected; executive committee, Mesdames W. N. Stephenson, R. McLeave, W. F. Southam, H. N. Seldon, C. P. Chapman, L. W. Veale, E. Smith, Misses A. Wilson, E. Mynott, Mr. W. F. Southam, the Rev. J. D. McL. Wilson; secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. McLeave; auditor, Mr. A. Patrick; social welfare committee, Mesdames Seldon (convenor), W. N. Stephenson, C. P. Chapman, Misses A. Wilson, E. Mynott, Mr. W. F. Southam; joint executive committee, Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths, Mesdames A. Patrick, K W. Veale, C. P. Chapman; delegates

North Taranaki Council of New Zealand Red Cross Society, Mesdames Southam, Chapman, Patrick, Seldon, Archdeacon Gavin,' Messrs. Griffiths, Southam and McCleave; delegates' to Mayor’s Relief .Council, Mesdames H. N. Seldon, A. Patrick and Mr. W. A. Brown. y ■■ .The ‘question of classes was left, in the hands of Mrs. Southam to arrange.

A motion expressing regret at Sister :Corkill’s\ leaving and thanking her for her work was carried unanimously. The work of Miss Arthur as secretary was of great assistance to; the society, said Mr. Gibson. A motion; thanking her was passed. Appreciation of the way the committee of ladies had worked in the organisation of “collection day” was expressed at a committee meeting prior to the annual meeting.