PLUNKET SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1938, Page 9

PLUNKET SOCIETY

MEETING OF MASTERTON BRANCH CAMPAIGN FOR ADDITIONAL MEMBERS. GOOD RESPONSE TO RECENT APPEAL. There was a full attendance at the monthly meeting of the Masterton branch of the Plunket Society yesterday. Those present were: Mesdames J. Caselberg (president), N. Irwin, S. L. P. Free, Sortain-Smith, J. James, Laird Meredith (Tinui), T. Jordan, H. Morrison (Tinui), E. G. Eton, T. F. Watson, A. Donald (Mauriceville), R. Miller (Mauriceville), A. Ericsqn, R. C. Drummond, J. M. Coradine, J. C. Broad. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames W. A. Michael, J. V. Gordon and R. F. Beetham. Resignations as members of the committee were received from Mesdames H. P. Hugo, H. P. Harrison and J. W. Falloon and Miss lorns. These were accepted with regret. 'The hon. treasurer, Mrs Irwin, reported on the sale of badges and the shop day held recently. The former yielded £4B 6s 9d, and the shop day appeal £54 2s sd, making a total of £lO2 9s 2d, which was considered most satisfactory. Accounts amounting to £66 Is 3d were passed for payment.

A letter was received from the Dominion Secretary notifying the branch that the nurses' annual leave would be 30 days, as from April 1, instead of 22 days, as formerly. Advice was also received that the society’s nurses would receive an increase in salary from the same date.

A circular was received from the Dominion president (Mrs Begg), giving notice of the resignation of Dr. Martin Tweed, medical adviser to the council. It was decided to write to Dr. Tweed, expressing regret at his resignation and appreciation of his good work for the society. A letter was received from Mrs T. R. Barrer asking the branch to send a representative to the conference to be held in Wellington, to discuss the finding of the citizens’ committee, recently set up to consider ways and means of combating the evil of criminal abortion. It also stated that there would be an appeal over the air at 7.40 p.m. on May 26. Mrs A. Donald was appointed as the society’s delegate.

A letter was received from Mr Ernest Hunt, Dominion treasurer of the Pattrick Memorial Fund, acknowledging the sum of £2O 13s 6d, donated by Masterton friends. It was decided to forward to the Karitane Hospital the sum of £lO, as the branch’s contribution to the home. Leave of absence was granted to Mesdames E. G. Norman and S. L. P. Free.

The president, Mrs Caselberg, presented Mrs Free with a beautiful bouquet as an appreciation of her work as honorary secretary, and also entertained members of the committee ai afternoon tea. Mrs Free expressed grateful thanks for the kind gesture. A parcel of leaflets was received from headquarters detailing the work, achieved by the Plunket Society, during the 31 years of its existence. The leaflets are being distributed by members of the committee. The society has been largely responsible for reducing the infantile death rate from nearly 8 per cent to 3.09 per cent, the lowest infantile death rate in the world.

A Founder’s Day appeal is to be made on May 14, the object of which is to increase the number of subscriptions. The minimum subscription is ss. Subscriptions will be gratefully received at the Plunket Rooms, or by Mrs N. Irwin, Pownall Street.

The annual balance sheet, prepared by Mr A. Owen Jones (hon. auditor) was presented. It was resolved to thank Mr Jones for his valuable work and thanks and appreciation were also expressed to Mrs Irwin for her work as honorary secretary. The president read the annual report, which _ was adopted. It was moved that the report and balance sheet should be sent forward to headquarters for approval before being printed. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Caselberg for her concise and comprehensive report.

It was decided to hold the annual meeting upon the return of the hon. secretary (Mrs Free). Mrs Jordan stated that the Girl Guides had planned a Dominion Service, in the form of setting aside one week, in which to raise funds as a tribute to the memory of the late Sir Truby King, in view of the fact that the Plunket Society had been so helpful to the Girl Guides’ Association.

The nurses’ reports for March and April were presented. Following is the March report: — Masterton: Visits to office, adults, 411; babies, 361; older children, 78; telephone calls, 126; total visits, 850. Visits to homes (town): New cases, 37; old cases, 243; total, 280. New cases for the month, 17. Out-stations: Mauriceville East-and West, Hastwells, Kopuaranga, 3 visits each; Tinui, Whareama, Rivcrsdale, Homewood, 2 visits; Ihuraua, Annadale, 1 visit. Pre-natal section: Total visits,- 20. Karitane products: Karilac, 191bs.;' Karil, lib.; Kariol, Ulbs.

The report for April is as follows:— Masterton: Visits to office, adults, 545; babies, 319; older children, 47; telephone calls, 130; total. 841. Visits to homes: New cases, 40; old cases, 152; total, 192. New cases for the month (town and country), 14. Out-stations: Mauriceville, Hastwells, Kopuaranga, 2 visits each; new cases, 1; visits to new cases. 2; old cases, 22; total, 247. Tinui, Homewood. Rivcrsdale. 2 visits each; Annadale, 1 visit. Visits to homes, 30. Pre-natal section: 1 otal cases, 26. Karitane products: Kariol. lllbs.; Karil, 41bs.; Karilac. 271bs. Thanks were expressed for infants’

garments received from Mesdames White, Meyer Caselberg, and A. C. Cameron, the St. Matthew’s School, and the Solway-Manaia and Tinui Women's Institutes.