OFFICIAL OPENING

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2314, 22 March 1930, Page 4

OFFICIAL OPENING

PLUNKET AND REST ROOMS. A BOON TO CAMBRIDGE. After years of work in Cambridge under changing conditions, often hampered through want of suitable and convenient buildings, the Cambridge Plunket Society is now housed in an up-to-date, beautiful and convenient home, recently erected as a result of the Queen Carnival effort. Combined with the Plunket rooms • are rest rooms, for the use of ladies of the town and entire district —an innovation that is also a great boon to the district. Thursday's Function.

There was a large and representative gathering to witness the formal opening of the building on Thursday afternoon, among those present being a goodly proportion* of ladies, while country residents were well to the fore, as might be expected. Mr J. S. Fisher (chairman of the Central Committee which was entrusted with-the expenditure of the money raised for the purpose), expressed pleasure at the consummation of their efforts, and the provision of such a fine building. He' congratulated the contractors (Messrs Speight, Pearce,Nicoll. Davys, Ltd.), and the architect (Mr Cray), all local people, on the handsome building, and said that it was well at this time to testify to the splendid work done by the organiser of the carnival, which has brought in the necessary funds for the project (Mr E. Veale). After heartily thanking the public for having- so generously provided .the funds to enable the building to be opened free of debt, Mr Fisher handed Mrs T. F. Richards (president of the Plunket Society) the key of the Plunket rooms, and to Mr C. H.' Priestley (Mayor of Cambridge') the key of the rest rooms. Mr Fisher said the building would, he hoped, fill their requirements for to come, and prove a great boon to the town and district. > . President's Remarks. Mrs Richards expressed pleasure at the fact that the Plunket Society would now be able to carry out its good work under more favourable conditions, being so comfortably housed. In the past they had worked under difficulties. After expressing pleasure at seeing so many present, Mrs Richards asked Mr F. Lye, M.P. for the district, to formally open the rooms for the Plunket Society. Mr Lye's Address.

Mr F. Lye, M.P., read the following apology he had received from the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy (Minister for Public Health): "Keenly sorry I cannot attend opening of Plunket rooms as invited, on account of previous engagements. Please convey to the gathering my sincere regrets, and best wishes for a successful future for the Cambridge branch of a magnificent organisation. Kind regards."

Mr Lye also read a letter of apology from Mr E. Veale, who recently left Cambridge for residence at Tauranga. Mr Lye said it was a matter of congratulation that such a useful and substantial building had been erected. It was a credit to the town and to the builders and architect.

The Plunkot Society, said the spoak"cr, had been carrying on work in the district for the-past twelve years. It had shifted from building to building, but at last had permanent headquarters—a happy result for which the society wished to heartily thank the public for their generous support. No town was complete without its Plunkct Society, and its district nurse, who >was always willing to help and give advice to mothers. The methods of the society were now recognised'and appreciated nil over the world, and it was pleasing to know that the founder was a New Zealander. The work of this organisation had undoubtedly done a great deal for infant life protection-, and the care of the mothers, and the society could take credit for the steady fall in the infantile mortality rate. Mr Lye quoted some statistics -in this direction. In 1920 the deaths of children under one year of age were at the ratio of 50.57 per 1000. In 1926 the figure was. only 39.76, .and in 1928 had fallen still lower, to 36.18. It was only fair, said the speaker, to give much of the credit for this happy state of affairs to i the work of the Plunket system.

Mr Lye thanked the people for their presence ,and expressed pleasure at the erection of such a line building, which was a credit to Cambridge. Mayor's Remarks.

Mr C. H. Priestley, Mayor, stated that it gave him great pleasure to accept the care of tho rest rooms as a trust for the people of tho town and district. He would take a pride in caring for the building and its environment. It was intended to have the plot of ground near the building laid out as a garden plot, and ot.herwise beautified; indeed the work had already

commenced. As representative of £he borough, he assured them he would "ikf his best to keep the place in good or»der for all time. Inspection of Building. Messrs Lye and Priestley then formally declared the buildings opened, after which the large gathering inspected the buildings, which are now fully furnished and equipped for use. All expressed pleasure at tho building and its appointments, and the opinion was freely expressed that it would prove a great boon to both town and country' residents, and fill.a longifclt want. Afternoon Tea. After the opening ceremony a largo number of invited guests assembled at the supper-room of the Town Hall, where a dainty afternoon tea, provided by the ladies and served by the Plunket Society ladies and friends, was greatly enjoyed. ~ Thus ended a happy and successful gathering, which fittingly celebrated an important event in the history of the Plnnkct Society and of the town and district.,