SAVING THE BABIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17945, 2 May 1928, Page 11 (Supplement)

SAVING THE BABIES

PLUNKET SOCIETY. A Sub-Branch of the Plunket Society—The Royal Society for the Health of Women and Children—was formed at Pleasant Point on the 15tli July, 1920, after an appeal had been made; in the Technical School by Mrs Armitage, of Temuka, and Plunket Nurse Cameron, of Timaru, who were supported by Mrs Cray, Timaru, and Mrs Morris, Temuka. After short, but instructive addresses to a good attendance of ladies, a Committee was elected consisting, of the following Mrs Milne, President; Miss Maze, Secretary and Treasurer; Mesdames Chisholm, Curzon, Dolliniore. Falconer, Gosling, Tozer, WrightS, Wicks and Miss Bishop. Mrs Dollirr.ore kindly offered the use of a room to the Nurse for her work from two to three thirty every alternate Thursday. This was to he a Sub-Branch of Timaru, and means to finance the work were discussed at a meeting held a few weeks later. At that time it: was thought that' the work was going to be of an up-hill character, as so many people ridiculed the idea of a young nurse going about telling the Mothers the way to look after their babies. However, it was not long before Plunket Nurse Cameron, by her ability and tact, had won her way into the homes and the hearts of the mothers. The work increased to such an extent that it was found advisable to add to the Committee the following ladies :—Mesdames Goldie, J. Cha.pman, S. Chapman, O. Bladder, A. Kerr, T. D: Burnett, L. Orbell, McLeod and Miss Orbell. To meet the district’s share., of the expense incurred in the running of a car and the payment of the Nurse’s salary, it was' decided to solicit subscriptions in each section of the district ; the result surpassed all expectations.

In 1921, re-organisation took place, resulting in Pleasant Point breaking its association with the Timaru Branch and becoming with Geraldine, SubBranch of the Temuka Centre. This meant a better service from the Nurse and increased expenditure; extra.money had to be found to cover the share of the Sub-Branch in the purchase of a new car. Mr T. D. Burnett M.P., gave substantial donations and helped to place the Society in a sound .financial position. The boundaries of the Pleasant Point Sub-Branch are: —Levels Station to Cannington, Ma Waro and Motiikaki then across to Totara and Hazelbum, Opihi and Hanging Rock, Levels Valley and Tycho being the Southern boundary. Throughout 1923-1924,.'..when the work steadily increased, it! became too much for one Nurse. Plunket Nurse Hight was appointed to assist Nurse Cameron and a new car- was purchased, so that every house in the district could he .reached. - ' In July, 1924, the Pleasant .Point Sub-Branch lost its President owing to Dr and Mrs Milne leaving to reside in Otaki. Mrs Milne had seen the steady growth of the. work and the good organisation of the. districts.' Mrs Benham was elected President in 1924. - By 1925, the work had increased to such an extent that the Geraldine Sub-Commititee felt that the time had arrived to break with, the Temuka Centre. This' was successfully dolie and Geraldine is now an active and independent unit. In 1927, the Temuka district was further curtailed by the linking up of the Mackenzie County portion of the Pleasant Point sub-branch —well organ’sed by Mesdames Kerr and Rich — with the Fairlie Branch, so that to-day the Temuka Branch is again worked by only one Nurse and consists of the sub-branches of Temuka and Pleasant Point. In February, 1927, Nurse Cameron severed her connection, with Plunket Nursing ho be married. This pioneer Nurse had given many years to the work, serving the district so successfully that few mothers declined her advice. Nurse Allan, who succeeded Nurse Cameron, is responsible for a large district from the Ra.ngitath. and Ornri through "Winchester, Clandeboye, Milford. Temuka and Seadown nearly to Washdyke, then back to Kerry town to the Levels and 'lyeho, Pleasant; Point, Opihi, and over Waitohi and Kakahu to Temuka again. , The collections once a year do not realise sufficient to meet the expenses; and the raising of adequate funds to meet all the outgoings is always a. big question, especially when a car has-to be purchased. An entertainment each year and the holding of a, Shop Day at Christmas time, help to- make up the leeway. The Branch is grateful to its subscribers, and particularly to the Levels County Council, the Pleasant Point Town Board, and Mr T. D. Burnett. M.P.. whose generous donations helped to widen thesphero of the ety’s operations. No more beneficent work is being done in the Pleasant Point, district than that of the Society whose sole aim is to “Help the Mothers and Save the Babies.” the members of the Committee at present arc:—Mrs Bonham. President; Mrs Batchelor, Vice-president; Miss A. Maze, Secretary and Treasurer; and Mesdames L. Orbell. McLeod, Goldie, j Chapman, 0. Cha.umau, J. D. Stewart j‘ Stewart. Chisholm. Arnott, J. A. ’ Smith, Oldham, O’Donnell and Crossman.

Everything, from handling luggage to cVanui" and cooking, be done hv electricity on a new shin beim r buwv in Belfast. There are 140 miles of cables and wires used aboard her. AVhile visiting a patient near Barnet a doctor left the door of bis ear open. When be returned be found a ben bad laid an egg on the floor.