RED CROSS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 113, 25 February 1950, Page 4

RED CROSS

MID-CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE SUCCESS OF STREET DAY Mrs M. M. Curtis presided at a meeting of the executive of the Mid-Canterbury Red Cross Society yesterday. Reports on the street day indicated that the total receipts were £3OB 13s Gd, with an expenditure . of only £B. Tribute was paid by the chairman to the excellence of the organisation and the unstinted support of country branches in the effort. Other reports indicated that Miss J. E. Macgregor, recently appointed as organiser of the Junior Red Cross, would shortly be beginning her work in the schools. Mr E. C. Bathurst stated that already the junior branch was taking a new lease of life. The attendance of Beverley Langdon at the junior Conference training course had been most useful and her presence had been much appreciated. Mrs Curtis reported on the Red Cross visit to Malvern Hospital at the Christmas season, and Mrs McIntosh on a similar visit to the Ashburton Public Hospital. Contact had also been ma'de with all local immigrants who had passed through the Pahiatua camp.

Relief and Food for Britain Various acknowledgments were received for clothing and food parcels received in England, and one from Germany. One letter of thanks of more tnan ordinary interest had come from Miss L. J. Watt, one-time matron of -the Ashburton Hospital, and now resident in Scotland. Co-operation with the Food-for-Bri-tain drive being sponsored by the Ashburton Rotary Club was decided upon. The Red Cross is to offer to do the packing of food received and to staff the receiving depot for the first two days (March 13 and 14) of the effort. In connection with this appeal, Mr R. C. Major stated that fat would then be (and, indeed, always is) a most acceptable help. Mr Major explained that edible fat is sent direct to Britain with food parcel shipments, and that from the sale of other fat some 60 per cent, of the money to buy food was derived. He stated that carriers would always bring fat in, with no charge, to the patriotic stall in East Street.

Therapy Service Miss M. Fleming presented the diversional therapy department’s reports for December and January. December, the report stated was particularly busy, there being the usual demand for Christmas gifts. The figures for the month were: Number of patients at work 33, sales of completed articles 10. The variety and scope of work undertaken was apparent from the month’s record, of felt toys 12, woolly iamb skin toys 4,' gloves 5 pairs, feltex shopping and knitting bags 3, leather work article 1, sheep skin mittens 2 pairs, wool pram cover 1, tapestries 3, mocassins 10 pairs, feltex slippers 2 pairs, fancy needle--' work 2, tatting 1. The January report showed 73 articles of similar character made by 33 patients. , Patients were now engaged in preparation of exhibits for the Mayfield and Methven Shows. An appeal for black wool fleeces for the continuance of the work was made by Miss Fleming.