Otago Branch

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume VII, Issue 1, 1 January 1914, Page 5

Otago Branch

Since our last report we have held three Council meetings, three general meetings, and the annual general meeting, on Nov. 28th.

The annual meeting of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association was held m the club room, on Tuesday evening. The attendance was small. In the absence of the Presidert, Dr. Will (Vice-President) took the chair.

The annual report was read. The chief items were as follows: — "Twenty-six new members have joined during the year — 15 on the general list, 7 on the auxiliary list, 1 visiting nurse, and three transferred from other centres. Two have resigned, and 5 have been transferred to other centres, so that there are now 133 names on the roll — of these 5 are hon. ,ife members. The cash balance for the year is £11 4s. Id., not so much as m the last feAv years, but we have furnished a club room, and this expense has considerably lessened our credit balance. Then, too, there are a number of subscriptions still outstanding. During

the year we have held 10 Council meetings, six general meetings, and one social evening. Lectures have been given hy the following : Miss Campbell, on "The Development of Milk as a Food " ; Mr. O'Gorman, on ki The National Piovident Scheme " ; Dr. Gordofc Macdonald, on " Reminiscences " ; Dr. Hall, on "The Eye"; Dr. Fitchett on c " Infectious Diseases " ; and Mr. Tannock, on " Spring Flowers." At the end of the half year, Miss Shackleford resigned the treasureship, as she found that she had not time to carry it on. The Council accepted her resignation with rcgre f , and passed a resolution appreciative of her kindness m carrying out the duties of treasurer so long and so ably. It was agreed that the duties of secretary and treasurer be combined, and that Miss Borris be asked to take the two positions with an increase of salary. Soon afterwards Miss Hoi ford resigned the hon. secretaryship, as she was going for a trip Home. Miss Thomson was appointed hon. secretary during Miss Holford's absence. Some of the members having thought that

it w r ould be a good thing to have a clubroom for the use of the association, the matter was brought before the Council, and several general meetings and discussed. As a result we have obtained a very nice club-room, where the members may rest and meet their friends, and where We may hold our meetings comfortably. The liabrary has been arranged, and Sister James is m attendance on Thursday afternoons, from 3to 5 o'clock to give out books. It is hoped that members will make good use of the rooms and so justify the venture. A copy of the report of the third meeting of the International Congress of Nurees, held at Cologne, has been sent down from Wellington for our Branch, and may be seen at the club-room. It contains the names of all the delegates from the different countries, and also reports of the various discussions and papers read." The report and balance sheet were adopted as read. Reports were read and adopted from the Bureau and Library Committees. The result of the election of office-bearers for the ensuing. year which had been conducted by mail ballot, was announced as follows :■ — President, Dr. Marshall Macdonald (re-elected) ; Vice-Presidents, Miss A. M. Thomson and Dr. Will ; Hon. Secretary; Miss Thomson ; Councillors, Mrs. W. C. MacGregor, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Gordon, Misses Torrance, Sturgeon, Williamson, Ingram, Allen, Every, Campbell, Monson, Gow. Votes of thanks were proposed and carried unanimously to Mr. C. H. Logic, for acting as scrutineer, and to Mr. C. H. Statham for his services as auditor. Supper was provided at the close of the business. At a Council meeting on Nov. 14th, the names of Mrs. Graham, Balfour, and Sister Buckley were added to the list of Councillors, m accordance w r ith Rule 1, as it was thought that a larger number would ensure a full complement at each meeting. Several sub-committees were appointed ; the House Committee to manage the Club-room affairs ; a private nurses' committee, and it was decided that the Council itself should act as the Application Committee. We take this opportunity to congratulate our President and Mrs. Macdonald on the birth of a son.

We heard with much regret of the illness of nurse Collier of Tasmania, who, after nursing for some months m Dunedin, during the early part of the year, was appointed Sister at the Rotorua Sanatorium, where she unfortunately contracted typhoid ; she has returned to her home ; but hopes to revisit New Zealand. Nurse Herdman has been appointed Matron at the Clyde Hospital. The latest report from Nurse Mary Wright, at Ambrim, New Hebrides, left her busy getting the hospital into working order after having been closed for two years, and training her Native helpers to cope with the strenuous work which met the return of Dr. Bowie. (Note. — Since this report was written news has beep received of the terrible disaster by cyclone at Ambrim, where the Hospital was entirely swept away. There was fortunately few patients m at the time and all were saved.) Nurse Seater has gone to the North Island for a holiday. Nurse Brew has opened a Home for Convalescents and waiting patients at her old address, 11 Clyde St. Nurse Cupples, assisted by Nurse Gordon, managing the maternity branch at Albany St. ; we wish Mrs. Brew, success m her new venture. Miss Holford is apparently making good use of her times m the Old Country, and we are looking forward to much interesting information when she returns ; she has been staying with Mrs. Fraser, m Edinburgh, one of oup honorary members who Mould be pleased to hear from her of the welfare of this Branch of the Association, of which they were two of the chief promoters. Nurse dimming who c^me from Auckland to take her obststric training at St. Helen's, Dunedin, has returned to Auckland. Nurse M. Mitchell, also lately at St. Helen's, intends remaining m Dunedin, where she will do private nursing. Following the example of Miss Sutherland, Nurse B. MacKay intends leaving for Canada early m the coming year for the same reason. The Otago Branch wishes the other Branches a very happy and prosperous New Year.