Otago

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume III, Issue 3, 1 July 1910, Page 96

Otago

Since the last issue of Kai Tiaki we have held five council and three general meetings, there have been two medical lectures and one club social. On April 14th Dr. Williams gave a lecture on " Food Poisoning." The doctor made his subject very practical and interesting, explaining the causes, effect, etc., of his subject. We refrain from making quotations as the lecture has been promised for publication in Kai Tiaki. At the general meeting held in April, a revision of the existing rules was submitted by the council to the members for discussion. As this was a large and representative gathering the rules evoked much discussion. It was carried that certain rules should be deleted, others amended, thereby bringing Dunedin into line with the other centres ; these amended rules have been submitted to the Central Council, Wellington, lor approval, and have not yet been returned, but we hope at an early date to have them printed ready for distribution among the members, and intending members. At this meeting Miss Jeffreys' resignation as a member of the Central Council was received, anel Miss Holford was re-elected to fill the vacancy. In response to a letter received from the resident central council, it was recommended by the local council that members wishing to join the private nursing staff in connection with the Association should send in separate applications, and these should be accepted provisionally for a time, and reports obtained of their work during the probationary period, when if satisfactory they should be placed on the permanent staff. This will enable us in the future to vouch for the nurses sent out, at the call of doctor or patient. It was also decided to draw up a few suggestions for the guidance of nurses, and for the public employing them. On the 2nd June, Dr. Sydney Allen gave a most interesting and instructive lecture on " Immunity," explaining the action of various vaccines, and how they were prepared, and the production of antibodies in the blood. He emphasised the fact that fresh air and healthy living was the means best of producing immunity to various germs ; this lecture

has also been promised for publication in our journal. After tlie lecture a meeting was held when chosen designs for badges were on view. It was resolved that the Dunedin branch was in favour of small letter, small design, enamelled in bute. The majority of members seem to favour the initial letter being attached to a bronze enamelled blue bar bearing the letters N.Z.T.N.A., instead of disturbing the registration badge. An At Home was held on Wednesday afternoon, May 15th, when Misses Holford and Sutherland presided as hostesses. Some amusing little stories were written by nurses and read aloud — the prize being awarded to the one receiving the most votes. The first prize was won by Nurse Diack, the second falling to Miss Shackleford, both stories as well as others, causing much laughter. June 24th having been orignally fixed for our annual meeting, and terminating our syllabus, a business meeting was held instead of the annual meeting, which was postponed until October to bring this branch into line with all the centres. Th. following syllabus has been drawn up for the ensuing months — July 29th— Social evening : Dr. Fulton, address on Rio Janeiro, with lantern slides. August 26th— Medical lecture, by Dr. Truby King: subject, "Some aspects of the influence and responsibility of nurses." September— Social evening : Address on Japan, with lantern slides, by Miss Fraser. October — Annual meeting. Note. — We are afraid some slight misapprehension exists as to what is meant by the " Nurses' Club Room," at Dunedin, as distinct from the "Nurses' Residential Home." The Club is quite a separate thing, although under the same roof, being rented by the Association, the members of which had maintained a club room long before the Nurses' Home was started by Miss Griffiths. The members saw the advantages it would be to them to have their club room in Miss Griffiths' house, and to have her aid in keeping it going. Miss Griffiths furnished the room, lets it to the Association, and takes charge of their bureau, and supplies tea to its members. The members of the Dunedin Association are very proud of their Club

where they have many pleasant gatherings. They also pay a higher membership subscription in order to be able to maintain it. They gladly welcome nurses from the other

branches, or visiting nurses, and these visitors are treated as " guests " of the Club, whether they are staying in the Home, or elsewhere. — Editor.