ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XXII, Issue 2, 1 April 1929, Page 56

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers then took place. Miss McKenny was elected President, Miss Macdonald (Napier) first Vice-President, Miss Cookson (Wellington) second Vice-President. Miss McKenny stated that for the present she would be willing, if the Council so desired, to combine the offices of Secretary and Treasurer with that of President, and that while absent from the Dominion would ask Aliss Macdonald and Miss Cookson to carry on any important business. Miss McKenny thanked the Conference for the honour done her, and said that while not now officially attached to a hospital, she counted it a privilege to serve the Service whenever she could, and still be able to work for the Matrons and nurses of New Zealand. A hearty vote of thanks to Miss McKenny for the able manner m which she had conducted the meeting, was passed.

Votes of thanks were passed to the Wellington Hospital Board for the use of a room( Miss Cookson (Matron) for hospitality and to those who had entertained the visitors, including Miss Bicknell, Miss Kohn, Miss Bagley, and the Wellington branch of the N.Z.T.N.A. During the Matron's Conference the visitors were entertained at a very enjoyable evening function given by Miss Bicknell and Miss Kohn, at the Pioneer Club. The luncheon room was converted into a lounge and decorated with beautiful flowers. A very pleasant few hours were spent m conversation and m brain-rack-ing competitions, m the intervals of which some charming songs were contributed by Sister Bradshaw, of the Wellington Hospital. A delicious supper was served. Besides the Matrons, the members of the Council of the N.Z.T.N.A. were present, and the Medical Superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, Dr. Ewen, and his wife, Dr. Watt and Mrs. Watt, Mrs. Valintine, Miss Taylor, Miss Kane, Miss Maclean. On.Thursday, the Matrons were entertained at lunch by the Council of the Wellington Branch of the N.Z.T.N.A. The lunch was given at the D.1.C., and the guests were seated at tables placed together and prettily decorated with flowers, and a very pleasant hour was spent. In the afternoon, Miss Bagley and the staff of St. Helens entertained the visitors to tea. They were shown over the Hospital, and afterwards Dr. Agnes Ben-

nett gave a short address. She first welcomed them all on behalf of the staff of the Hospital, and then spoke on the subject of midwifery, saying that before the advent of the use of anaesthetics and forceps midwifery had been entirely m the hands of women, and the present tendency was that it should revert to women. She spoke of the Queen's Jubilee Nurses, who were mostly midwives, and attended women all over England. Their statistics showed far fewer cases of maternal mortality than any other services, and this showed that the service was improving m the hands of women. In New Zealand we had far to go yet m lessening the incidence of maternal mortality. Dr. Bennett spoke of the ante-natal work, and showed how they were bettering* conditions for women, and enabling the doctor or midwife to make provision for the right birth of a child. She assured the visitors that St. Helens Hospital would be glad to give them any help or information which might be" useful m their work. Miss Macdonald, on behalf of the visitors, thanked Dr. Bennett and the Matron and staff for their hospitality. Afternoon tea was then served, and the visitors left after seeing everything possible of the work. An invitation was given to the Matrons to a luncheon by the Hon. Mr. Stallworthy, Minister of Health, but unfortunately they were not able to accept it, as the Conference broke up during his absence from Wellington.