CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 September 1936, Page 3

CRIPPLED CHILDREN

WAIRARAPA BRANCH.

ANNUAL REPORT,

Tlie first annual meeting of tlie N.Z Society for the Assistance of Crippled Children, Wairarapa branch, is. to be held in tlie Masterton Municipal Lecture Boom on Thursday, 24th September, at 7.30 p.m. The president of the Wairarapa branch is Mr S. L. P. Free and Mr E. M. Hodder is chairman of the executive committee. At the ' annual meeting, several amendments to the rules will be proposed. One provides that the name of the society be shortened to; “The N.Z. Crippled Children Society, Wclifai ft pabranch, (Inc.) ” It is proposed further that the financial year of the branch shall end on 31st March in ev&ry year (to conform with the practice of the parent society), to provide that the committee shall meet once every year (the existing rules make no provision for a meeting), and that the annual meeting of the branch shall bo held in April or May in each year. The following is the annual report of the branch:—“The Wairarapa branch of the society came into being on 3rd September,, 1935, as a result of a representative gathering of citizens on that date. A general committee was then appointed, and from this committee an executive of five members was elected to carry out the detail work of the society. The first executive meeting was held on 16tli September, 1935, and from then on until the end of August, 1936, eleven such regular meetings have been held. Owing to the lack of any special business, necessitating the attendance of the members of the general committee, only two meetings have been held during the year. At the outset, it was the endeavour of your executive to make a thorough and complete survey of the whole district, so that a detailed record of each ease would be available. This was accordingly done, many and various agencies co-operating to secure the information necessary. An honorary medical referee committee consisting of Dr. J. A. Cowie, Dr. A. Hosking, and Dr. N. H. Prior was set up to examine cases where this was desirable, and on quite a number of occasions, this has been done. In several cases further examination by a specialist has been advised, and we are particularly indebted to Dr. Alec. Gillies, of Wellington, for his very helpful assistance. During the year it has been necessary to enlist the help of members of the medical profession, from Pahiatua to Martinborough, and on all occasions we have found them ready and willing to co-operate with us in 'every way possible. Many other citizens in different parts of the district have been called upon to assist the work! involved in dealing with individual cases, and on all occasions without ■exception, the ready willingness to help has been an inspiration to the executive. During the year, a total of 42 cases have been investigated and records now exist in the files, covering each case. It hast been necessary to fully explore the circumstances of each individual case, so that sympathetic consideration could be given it. . It is possible for our society to assist a crippled child in one or more of thiee ways: (1) Medically; (2) educationally; and (3) vocationally. We have found the medical profession and Hospital Board ready and willing to do everything possible to improve the physical condition of the cripple. The education authorities likewise are keen to assist in .equipping the physically incapacitated child, so that he may become a useful member of the communr ity. So far it lias not been our experience that employers of labour are anxious to put up with the initial inconvenience involved in employing a physically handicapped boy or girl. Wo are quite aware of many of the difficulties which exist, but we believe that it is possible in many cases for a partially incapacitated worker to become more valuable to his employer than a physically normal personr. We take this opportunity of appealing to all employers to assist in this very important phase of the work. It has not been possible so far for your executive to assist cases, where an expenditure of more than a few .shillings is concerned. The lack of finance is a very definite barrier to effective work being done in some cases, and it is hoped that all parts of the district, will realise the necessity for prompt action. Many of our crippled children are in poor homes where much could be done to bring happiness into their lives ana hope to the parents, by the provision of toys and comforts on special occasions. All of the cases brought under the notice of the society so far have been visited on one or two occasions during the year —a number have been brought into Masterton for medical examination. Some have been further examined and treatment advised by a specialist —one lad was sent to the health camp at Otaki and benefited greatly — arrangements were made for additional education at the Technical School in three cases. According to the nature and circumstances of the case, more or less regular contact has been maintained, so that the individual requirements could be studied. During the year two cases of the society’s died, and the sympathy of the society is extended to the relatives. Two further cases have left the district and full information has been forwarded to the branches of the society, controlling the district in which they are now resident. The year has been a busy one, particularly for the secretary, the correspondence and detail arrangements of interviews having been his particular care. During the year 56 members joined the society as annual subscribers, while 6 life members were elected. The annual 'subscription for ordinary membership is ss, while £5 5s entitles one to life membership. It was felt during the year that as the members of the executive were chiefly concerned in learning their job and ascertaining the requirements of the work in the district, it was not advisable to launeli a cam-

paign for membership or for funds. Certain expenditure "in establishing, the branch has been necessary, but it is now felt that the foundations have been well laid for more effective work in the future. The effectiveness of

future activity will very greatly depend on what finance is available, and to this end it is desirable that membership and contributions be substantially increased during the coming year. It is suggested that all districts run one or two functions during the year and also conduct a canvass for members. Certain money from the income of the Nuffield Trust will be available to the Wairarapa branch of the society, but this will require to bo augmented very considerably to enable good work to be done. Your executive wishes to record its thanks to the many individuals who have so willingly assisted its activities during the year—-to the members of the medical profession for their whole-hearted co-operation, to the society’s solicitors, Messrs linrt, Daniell ftSiu Hart, for their assistance in the formation of the branch, to Mr D. B. Curry, for his services as lion, auditor, and to Mr Or. W. Sellar for the provision of an excellent filing cabinet for the records of the society and to the Press in all parts of the district for their valuable support and publicity. The thanks of the Society are also due' to the ladies who have kindly supplied toys and books for some of the children. Special thanks are due to the secretary, Mr H. A. R. Dunderdale, for the time, effort, and personal interest he has taken in the work of the society during the first year of its existence in the Wairarapa. In conclusion your executive feels that the future holds very definite promise of ample opportunity for useful work amongst the crippled children of the Wairarapa, and that no effort should be spared in utilising the resources of the district towards this end. ’ ’

The report is signed for the executive by Mr E. M. Hodder, chairman.

The balance sheet shows that receipts during the year were £l6 Os Id, donations; £l3 15s, annual subscriptions and £3l 10s life subscriptions; total, £6O 15s Id. The payment of office, travelling and other expenses totalled £37 13s and the branch owes approximately £2 in levies to the parent society.