CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 May 1944, Page 4

CRIPPLED CHILDREN

WAIRARAPA SOCIETY’S WORK ANNUAL REPORT. LADIES’ COMMITTEE PROPOSED. “The past year has seen further extension of the work of the society in many phases," states the annual report of the Wairarapa branch of the NewZealand Crippled Children’s Society. The report states that the number of cases has grown from 131 at the start of the year to 156- Nineteen were removed from’ the register, some having been transferred to other districts, and seven cured of their crippling conditions. The welfare officer, Mrs S. N. Kilgour, had visited all children twice and most of them three times during the year. A light car had been purchased for the welfare officer. The encouragement and assistance Mrs Kilgour was able to give was a major feature of the society’s work. In five years she had travelled 5858 miles to visit cases. This had been made possible through the generosity of several local citizens in placing cars at the society’s disposal. A very considerable sum had been saved in this way, and the executive expressed the district’s appreciation to those concerned for their generous practical support. Three travelling clinics had been conducted during the year. These had been of the greatest value and represented a most important phase of the society’s work. “The executive, after careful consideration, decided to request ladies interested in the work to set up a small committee to assist the welfare officer, particularly with local cases, and to this end an appeal is made here for all ladies to attend the annual meeting, so that this may be clone,” states the report. "The enthusiasm of the welfare officer, together with the increasing activities of the society, .have resulted in a net increase for the year of 88, bringing the total membership to 236. In view of the work being done, and the low annual subscription rate at ss, it should be reasonable to expect a large number of subscribers from the district. A membership of 1000 regular subscriptions would mean an annual income of £250 from this source alone, and this would make possible greatly increased assistance to many unfortunate crippled children in our area. Life membership at £5 5s presents an opportunity to those who feel that the annual rate is too low.”

The report states that the expenditure this year had increased by £54 over that of last year. Thanks are expressed to all helpers.