PLUNKET WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1941, Page 2

PLUNKET WORK

, ACTIVITIES OF MASTERTON • BRANCH CARE OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILD. PARENTS’ CO-OPERATION’ i SOUGHT. This year even more intensive work has been undertaken to educate par- ‘ ents in the greater care of the preschool child,” states a passage in the annual report of the Masterton branch of the Plunket Society, to be presented at the annual meeting next Wednesday. -One day a week is being reserved for attendance of pre-school childien at the Plunket rooms, giving more time for a thorough examination of each child. This period of a child's life is comparable to babyhood, and is equally important. The necessity for the supervision by the nurse cannot be too strongly emphasised. Only by the loyal co-operation of the parents in following the simple laws of health, [fresh air, rest and correct feedin/ will the desired result be achieved. “Owing to the necessity of conserving petrol, fewer visits have been paid to the homes, but there has been a substantially increased number of mothers and babies at the rooms; although it is always desirable for the nurse to visit the homes for a period, to enable her to gain the necessary knowledge of general conditions, etc. The pre-natal section shows an increased number of visits from expectant mothers. Reliable and valuable information is here given, and it is Strongly recommended that mothers seek the advice of the nurse before the baby’s arrival.”

Reference is made in the report to the proceedings at the last annual meeting, to the visit of Miss Fitzgibbon, to the deaths of two members, Lady Perry and Mrs Ralph Beetham, to the resignation of Mrs Ericson, a member of the committee, and to Nurse Humphries's activities, including a refresher course at Karitanc Hospital, besides many other activities in the way of lectures, demonstrations and social evenings. The annual house-to-house appeal in February was . most successful. Sixty-eight new mo- ; thers had become members. The auditors report showed that expenditure exceeded the income by £8 7s sd. This position was considered very satisfactory. Committee members had visited the wives of men who had entered camp and offered their services when required. In this connection thanks were due to the Women's Emergency Corps for its co-operation. The assistance of the committee had been offered to the E.P.S. Appreciation is expressed to the nurses. Misses Cocker and Humphries, to the hon. secretary, Mrs S. L. P. Free; the hon. treasurer, Mrs J. D. O’Connor, members of the committee, donors and other helpers for their work or assistance. Thanks are recorded to the “Wairarapa Times-Age” for constantly bringing the ideals of the society before the: public; to the Dominion President (Mrs James Begg) and the executive; the Government for subsidies; the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, and the Borough Council for their generous assistance; the hon. auditor, Mr Owen Jones, who gives time and services of great value: to the Macarthy Trust, the Trust Lands Trust, the Hospital Board, the Regis-, tear of Births, and the A. and P. Association, the W.F.C.A.. Hugo and Shearer, and Page's for their practical help, and to one and all who have assisted the branch during the year.