Otago Branch

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume X, Issue 3, 1 July 1917, Page 129

Otago Branch

The regular Council meetings have been held for the ordinary business and the social general meetings begun this year have been continued monthly with great success. At each of them a different member of the Council acts as hostess and is responsible for the evening ; a short paper on some topic of interest to nurses is read and followed by a quite informal conversational discussion after which we have supper and general conversation. These evenings are very enjoyable and free from formality of any kind and are extremely well attended, three having been held this quarter with an average attendance of about 25. Mrs. Falconer acted as hostess for one, and read a paper on " Carriers," giving illustrations from various sources of the manner in which infection is carried by healthy persons. At this meeting Nurse Agnes Macmillan was present and gave a very interesting and graphic impromptu ■account of her year's work in a military hospital in France. Another evening was taken charge of by Mrs. W. C. MacGregor -and Miss Hay ward read a paper on " Comfort versus Appearance ' (of patients), and exhibited a model of a screen which she had in use in her hospital. The third evening was taken by Mrs. Wm, Ewing as hostess, and Miss Spillnian read a paper, " Comparisons in surgical preparation and treatment, past and present," Avhich was very interesting, and ■drew forth a good many reminiscences.

A special general meeting was held recentry to consider the question of admitting trained masseuses as members of the T.N.A. holders of certificates from recognized training schools of massage be admitted as members of an auxiliary branch, as in the case of midwives, provided that they undertake to register and be governed by the provisions of the proposed Act of Parliament as soon aw it comes into force. This resolution is to be added to the Rules of our Branch as li Rule 16a." Dr. Roberts, a member of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, has consented to act as our representative and watch the interests of trained nurses at the meetings of the Board, in recognition of his kindness in so doing he has been elected an honorary life-member of our Association. Sister E. White, a New Zealand trained nurse, formerly sister at Dunedin Hospital has been spending a short furlough here from Australia, where she was on sick leave from the front. Miss Thomson is making extensive additions to Stratford Hospital. Dr. Stanley Batchelor is starting immediately for a trip to America, where he intends to spend most of his time at the famous Mayo clinic ; he expects to be away about four months. Miss Girdler has removed her Nurses' Home from Albert Street to High Street, next to the Chalet Hospital.