VALUABLE WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 223, 19 September 1940, Page 12

VALUABLE WORK.

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY.

REVIEW OF YEAR'S EFFORTS.

The wonderful work carried out by members of the Auckland Hospital Auxiliary, both for patriotic and charitable needs, was paid a tribute by Lady Davis, the patroness, at the thirteenth annual meeting held yesterday afternoon.

This work, she eaid, included the after-care of tubercular patients, the provision of wireless sets in the wards, and the running of a canteen for light refreshments for outpatients. The auxiliary took a special interest in the isolation wards. Owing to infection, the patient* were not able to use their own clothes in the wards, and the auxiliary had come to the rescue with supplies *of comfortable clothes for each patient.

Lady Davis also made mention of the help given by the auxiliary at the time of the epidemic, when the hospital had been required to accommodate a large number of soldier patients. Under the guidance of the president, Mrs. A. D. Campbell, Mrs. M. Carr-Smith, and the secretary, Mise L. Curson, the auxiliary had assisted in outfitting the wards with dressing gowns, pyjamas and slippers. A special tribute to the excellent work of Miss M. Ormond, investigating officer, and Miss Curson, jjvas paid by Lady Davis. Increased Demands. "The activities of the auxiliary are continually being extended, and our aim it to meet any and every charitable need that arises," said Mrs. Campbell, in presenting her report. "The demands on the hospital have increased and so, consequently, have the demands on the auxiliary." Mrs. Campbell-"went on to speak of the help given in paying the fares to and from the hospital of patients receiving after-treatment. Three hundred and twelve patients had been assisted in this way. The auxiliary had also assisted diabetes patients with their diet and supplementary foods. Special reference was made by Mre. Campbell to the splendid work carried out by Mise M. Gorr-Martin, manager of the canteen.- She aleo expressed the appreciation of the executive of the cooperation of the branches and circles, and appealed for their continued efforts during the coming year. Mr. W. Wallace, a former chairman of the New Zealand Hospital Boards' Association, paid a tribute to the work of Mrs. Alfred Kidd and Mrs. Campbell, and praised the excellent spirit of cooperation existing between the members of the auxiliary. Mrs. M.. M..Dreaver, on behalf of the Hospital Board, thanked the members for the work carried out for hospital patients. Assistance of Depot. Another very busy year, was reported by the depot, calls made on it showing an increase on the previous year's figures. During the year 2104 patients had been assisted with clothing, food orders had been issued to 769 patients, and 83 had been assisted with footwear. A total of 9081 garments had been distributed to needy patients. The reports of the sewing circle, the district nurses, nurses' home, tuberculosis after-care committee, ways and means, wireless installations, canteen, and of the Mental Hospital, Wilson Home, Mount Eden and Onehunga branches, also showed excellent work throughout the year. Bouquets were presented to Lady Javis, Mrs. Campbell and Miss A. Basten, hon, auditor. Lady Davis made a presentation of a nest of tables to Mr. A. D. Campbell in appreciation of 'his services as honorary treasurer.

The election of officers resulted as follows.—Patroness, Lady Davis; president, Mrs. A. D. Campbell; vice-presi-dents, Mre. Kenneth-Gordon, Mrs. C. E Maguire, Mrs. J. J. O'Brien, Mrs. David Nathan, Mrs. T. J. G. Neill, Mrs. H. M. Buchanan, Mre. J. W. Craven, Mrs. W J. Simkin, Mrs. W. Kirkham; associate members, -Mrs. A. H. Webster, Dr. Woodward Horsley, Miss E. M. Nutsey Miss A. Smitli Gray , , Major A. Gordon,' Major Hart; Mrs. Fitzgerald,- Miss Blewett; secretary, Miss L. M. Curson; minute secretary, Miss M. Ormondtreasurer, Mr. A. D. Campbell; auditor Mies A. H. G. Basten.

92 YEARS OLD. Mrs. .M. A. Whitcombe, of Albert Road, Devonport, is celebrating her »2nd birthday to-day. Mrs. Whitcombe is the widow of the late C. D. Whitcombe, at one. time Commissioner of Crown Lands for Taranaki, and Foreign Secretary to the Government of Tonga. She was one of the early pioneers of Taranaki. .