RED CROSS SOCIETY CARRIES ON WORK DURING PEACE TIME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18453, 2 May 1928, Page 11

RED CROSS SOCIETY CARRIES ON WORK DURING PEACE TIME.

HOME NURSING AID GIVEN IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS

A meeting of .the committee of the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St John was held on Friday. There were present Mr J. A. Flesher (chairman), Lady Wigram, Mrs H. 11. Smith, Miss Guthrie, Messrs H. L. Bowker and W. E. D. Bishop and LieutenantColonel F. B. Creswell. Financial statements showed that, during the month of March, 214 ex-ser-vice patients had received attention in the institutions and as out-patients, and that the expenditure on clothing, tobacco, hospital requisites, extra food, motor hire, amusements and including grants to the various matrons for miscellaneous purchases had totalled £195 6s Bd. In addition to the foregoing, expenditure on Red Cross Club work, which provided moving pictures, furnishings, cards, newspapers, books and magazines and other amusements, had totalled £54 3s for the same period. Accounts were passed for' payment as follow—Depot £l2l 12s 7d and general £BO 18s Id.

It was decided to purchase sufficient linoleum to cover the floor of the billiards-rooms and to supply two new grates for the Red Cross Club room at Ilanmer Springs. An application for ridging for the roof of and new flooring for the hall at Ilanmer Springs was held over until an estimate of the cost was obtained.

The Diamond Jubilee Celebration Committee wrote asking for the cooperation of the Red Cross Society. It was decided to reply that it was not possible for the society to do anything in the matter, as it had no funds available. A letter was received from the medical superintendent of the Upper Sanatorium, Cashmere, stating that slr L. N. T. Petherick, the librarian, wa's leaving the institution. Mr Bishop reported that an honorary librarian had been appointed in his place, but it was impossible to get a patient to give his services in connection with the moving pictures. A letter was received from the Y.M.C.A. Film Department, Wellington, stating that the contract to supply two programmes per week could be altered to one programme per week at short notice. It was resolved that the contents of the letter be communicated to the Hospital Board, and that it be pointed out that the medical superintendent was anxious to have two programmes per week. Sister Christian’s report on peace time work in the Leeston district was received. She stated that instruction in health and home nursing was given at Leeston, Doyleston, Irwell, Brookside, Killinchy and Southbridge. The work had been entered into with great enthusiasm and the classes had all increased in number and are being well attended. There are now about 170 adults attending the various lectures. At Leeston instruction in first aid was being given by Dr Volckmann to twenty-four students. At Southbridge the first aid class has been postponed temporarily. One case of sickness had been visited in an outlying district, and help and advice given. With regard to school work. Sister Christian reported that she was interviewing the teachers with a view to stimulating interest in the Junior Red Cross. It was resolved that letters of thanks be sent to those persons in the various districts who had assisted in connection with the 'peace time programme, and that Sister Christian be congratulated.