New Zealand Nurses' Memorial Fund

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XV, Issue 3, 1 July 1922, Page 113

New Zealand Nurses' Memorial Fund

Annual Meeting.

The fifth annual meeting of those connected with the New Zealand Nurses' Memorial Fund was held recently in the City Council Chamber, Dunedin, the chair behug occupied by Sir George Fenwick.

The Chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. He mentioned that Dr. Lindo Ferguson (President) had requested him to apologise for his absence, and had asked him to take the chair. Dr. Ferguson was attending a meeting of the Otago University, held for the conferring of degrees. Continuing, Sir George said that it was not necessary that he should detain them long, as the report and balance sheet very fully disclosed the position. The accumulated funds, as they would have seen, had reached the substantial sum of £19,000, which was very largely due to the fine bequest that had come to them through the will of the late Mr. Mackay, of Wellington. From that source over £8,000 had been received, which was a very material increase to their capital funds. With regard to these funds, he might say that the committee still thought it w r as desirable that they should be accumulated. The claims on the funds had only been partly met from past revenue, and, while they were getting increased revenue from the accumulated funds, the fact remained that the Government had found it necessary to withdraw its subsidy, owing to the strenuous state of affairs in the Dominion. He thought there was a possibility of a fairly substantial sum coming from Auckland. He had seen Mr. Oliver Nicholson at Auckland, and he was genuinely interested in the success of the association and its funds. There had been so many appeals in Auckland lately, and when he (Sir George) had spoken to Mr. Nicholson a few weeks ago he had thought it was not advisable at this time to attempt to raise funds. But Mr. Nicholson was warmly interested in the association and thought

that he would shortly make an appeal to the Auckland people, and had no doubt the result would be something substantial. Mr. Nicholson was warmly with them, and was going to do his best to increase the funds. The aggregate payments made to annuitants were £411 2s. 6d. That was a very fair sum, but it would be realised that they were likely to have a continuance of claims, and they must be in a position to do more than they had done. If they could increase their allowance in the future it would be (gratifying to members to be able to do so. Mr. Chamberlain reminded him that owing to the withdrawal of the Government subsidy they had had to increase the payments to annuitants, and their action in doing so had been gratefully acknowledged. They had done their best to make up for the loss of the Government subsidy in all necessitous cases, and were assured that their efforts had been appreciated by the annuitants. They all felt that the fund was a very desirable one, and that the action taken was not only justified, but necessary. Mr. James Begg seconded the motion, and said he was very pleased to hear that it was probable the funds would be augmented from Auckland within measurable time, because it was necessary the funds should be increased. The withdrawal of the Government subsidy had been rather a blow. It was possible it might be restored, but he was afraid it would be many years before they enjoyed it again. He thought that in particular cases members might draw the attention of those making wills to the fact that there were few objects more deserving than the New Zealand Nurses' Memorial. The motion was carried unanimously. The following office bearers were elected: — President, Dr. H. Lindo Ferguson; vice-presidents, Sir George Fenwick (Dunedin), and Dr. Wm. Young (Wellington) ; Committee — Miss H. Maclean

and Mr. W. C. MacGregor, K.C. (Wellington), Miss Ethel A. Kidd and Mr. Oliver Nicholson (Auckland), Miss J. L. Beck and Dr. L. S. Manning (Canterbury), Dr. James Young (Invercargill), Miss Holford, Miss Lancaster, Messrs. James Begg, C. W. Rattray, and C. R. Smith (Otago) ; Trustees, Dr. H. Lindo Ferguson and Mr. C. W. Chamberlain; Hon. Auditors, Messrs. W. T. Monkman and D. Crawford (Dunedin) ; Hon. Secretary, Miss Helen Williams (Dunedin) ;

and Hon. Treasurer, Mr. C. W. Chamberlain (Dunedin). Mr. C. W. Rattray drew attention to the valuable work done by Dr. Young, of Wellington, and it was resolved to record appreciation of his services and to thank him. Votes of thanks were accorded Messrs. Crawford and Monkman (auditors), Miss Williams (secretary), and the Mayor for the use of the Council Chambers. — "Otago Daily Times."