Auckland

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume IV, Issue 1, 1 January 1911, Page 8

Auckland

The fifteenth meeting of the Auckland branch of the N.Z.T.N.A. was held m the Nurses' Clubrooni, there being 2-1 members present. The annual report was read by the secretary, also the treasurer's report, showing a balance m hand of £106 16s. 9d., m addition to furniture and fittings estimated to be worth about /100.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : — President, Mrs. R. Bedford ; Vice-presidents, Miss Paper and Miss Foote ; Hon. Treasurer, Mrs. Moss ; Hon. Secretary, Miss Fleming ; Medical members of Council, Dr. Beattie and Dr. McMaster ; Council members, Mrs. Kidd, Misses Morrison, Stewart, V. Campbell, Gibbons, Mesdames Andrews and Inglis, and Miss Chappell.

The Clubroom finance is weak, and it was decided to give up the room as it is now, and to try to sublet part of it if possible, still retaining enough to use for meetings, etc., the letting of it being left m the hands of the Council.

It was proposed to hold a social evening on the 31st of October, to open the new year.

Votes of thanks were given to the treasurer and secretary, also to Mrs. Bedford for kindly presiding.

The annual if port is as follows, and, owing to the change of date of the commencement of the financial y< ar, covers the period from June, 1909, to October, 1910 :—

The meetings of the Association have been held once a quarter, and have been fairly well attended although a number of the members live m the country and are unable to attend regulatly.

The Association sent two representatives to the general meeting of the N.Z.T.N.A., held m Wellington m November, 1909. At one of the meetings it was decided to raise the nurses' fees to the maximum of £3 3s. Od. per week, and the minimum of

£2 2s. Od., except where two or more nurses are employed, then only m mental or infectious cases to charge more than £2 2s. Od.

A very successful ball was held m September of last }^ear, the Governor and I^ady Plunket kindly giving their patronage, which m a very great measure made it the success it was. With the money raised m this way (£173 ss. 4d.) a large room, also a smaller one for pantry, was taken and very nicel}^ furnished ; the President (Mrs. Bedford), and also the Treasurer (Mrs. Inglis) taking a great deal of trouble over it, with the result that the nurses have a comfortable, airy room to use for resting, writing, and entertaining their friends at any time they want. It was opened by a largely attended social evening m December last and afterwards it was kept open every afternoon with the exception of Saturday, and tea was provided by the different members of the social committee. The same committee also have arranged for tri-weekly social evenings during the winter, the last one held being to welcome Mrs. Gillies, and to listen to her account of the work m military hospitals ; which was very interesting and profitable.

There have been eight lectures given during the year. They have only been fairly well attended, which is to be regretted as the gentlemen who have given the lectures have taken a great deal of trouble for the benefit of the nurses.

The second annual nurses* ball was held m August, m the Art Society's Hall, which was prettily decorated for the occasion. It was quite a success, although there was some disappointment owing to the Governor (Lord Islington) not being able to be present. A little over £21 was handed over to the treasurer from this ball, this money being used for Clubroom expenses.

It is to be regretted that Mrs. Kidd has resigned her position as Vice-president. She has very kindly entertained the nurses twice at her home m Epsom : Once to meet Miss Maclean, the Inspector of Hospitals ; and the second time on the occasion of the visit of Dr. Valintine, the Inspector-General of Hospitals.

The thanks of the Association are due to Mrs. Bedford (President), our late secretary (Miss Wyatt), and the treasurers (Mrs. Inglis and Mrs. Moss) — indeed to all the members of the Council — who have done much to promote the sociability of the nurees, both m connection with the ball and also the social evenings.

A meeting of the Council was held m the Nurses' Clubroom on the 23rd November, there being ten members present.

Mrs. Bedford informed the meeting that the Clubroom had been sublet, and it was agreed to ask the incoming tenant to take over window blinds, curtains and poles, and electric light and gas fixings. Dr. Beattie kindly undertook to see Mr. Watson about rent, etc., also he agreed to arrange about the storing of the furniture, until required.

There was a great deal of discussion about a nurses' hostel, and it was finally agreed

that another meeting should be called m three weeks time to consider the question. Miss Campbell, Matron of the Mental Hospital, was proposed as a member of the A.T.N.A., and was unanimously elected. A vote of thanks was given to Dr. Beattie, and with this the meeting closed. A meeeting of the Council was held m Mrs. Bedford's house on Wednesday, the 14th December, there being eleven members present.

Dr. Beattie was not able to be present, but sent a letter giving his views on the question of a hostel for nurses. He advised that nothing should be done until February, and m the meantime as he was going south m January, he would make inquiries into the conditions obtaining m the other cities. The Council agreed to take this advice, and first to circularise all trained nurses and try and interest them m the Association, and then to hold a public meeting m February at which several of the doctors would be asked to sp e ak, and explain the aims and objects of the Society and how they are best accomplished.

Two nurses were accepted as members, and two others have been transferred from Christchurch and Dunedin respectively. C.A.F,Hon. Sec