PLUNKET AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 136, 1 August 1941, Page 5

PLUNKET AFFAIRS

ANNUAL REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET A DIFFICULT' YEAR [ In presenting her report at the annual meeting of the Wliakatane Piunket Society, the president, Mrs C. C. Southey, stated that in spite of the increased effort put forth, tlie year had been a most difficult one, the finances showing a marked decrease. The report read:— "It Avas arranged for Nurse to visit Ohope once a week, and Ave thank the members of the Ohope Progress League for their assistance in this matter. We arc grateful to Nurse Armstrong for using her • -car on Piunket work. We feel this will enable us to extend our activities still further. To raise funds we have held two Garden Parties, organised a street and a house to house coll'ety tion and conducted several "500" evenings in the Parish Hall. To those people who have assisted the committee, avc tender our sincere thanks especially Mesdames Prideaux and Eggers for the use of their grounds, Mrs Miller for loan of crockery, Mr Chrisp for advertising help and Mrs Morgan and Mr A.tMnsorv for their assistance at our card evenings. In her report on the year's activities the district nurse. Miss E. M. Armstrong, gave the following figures:— Badics under supervision: Wliakatane 110, Opotiki 58, Taneatua 14, Rangitaiki Plains 40, Ohope 7. Total 229. Prc-school children: Wliakatane 10, Opotiki 30, Taneatua 10, Rangitaiki Plains 6. Total 8(5. Babies under supervision: Headquarters 110, Outstations 119. Preschool children: Headquarters 40, Outstations 4fi. New Cases for Year: Wliakatane 102. Opotiki 53, Taneatua 9; Rangitaiki Plains 42, Headquarters 102, Outstations 115. Visits to Homes: Headquarters 259. Outstations 51 fi. Birth notifications received: Wliakatane 283 (including native), Opotiki 97 (including native) .

The general health of the mothers and babies lias been very satisfactory—there have been the visual seasonal minor upsets—summer sickness has been prevalent. Mothers have been advised to consult their doctors in some cases. Re the dieting of the babies, it is the general principle to use a modified cow's milk mixture if the baby cannot be breast fed, bu* some of the mothers have had their babies on dried milk for various reasons. In one or two cases Bcngers food has been used in conjijuuctibn with the humanised milk. As this food pre-digests the milk, it is sometimes bencficial where a bfaby f ts digestively upset—but is only used as a temporary men sure. I would again remind mothers that they are welcome to bring their babies; for regular weighing until they are 5 years of age. Several mothers visiting the district have brought their babies to be weighed. [ would' like to thank the mothers for their co-operation. A great deal depends on these mothers and upon their faithful carrying out of the advice given—but T am sure they will be well repaid by seeing their babies growing up healthy men and women. I would also thank the committee for their help and consideration — the doctors and any who have assisted me in my work in any way. Financial Position. The balance sheet showed as under:— Receipts: Balance 1/4/40 Gcnera'i Funds cash in band and in hand 2s 7*l; Cash in PJO. Savings £115 2s 7d; Cash in P.O. Savings Bank £119 2s; Annual subs qf members £23; Contributions by local authorities £17 2s; Donations £71 14s 9d; Contributions from sub4)ranche< for service of visiting nurse £75 14s (1(1; Grants from Gov. (towards Nurses' salary £62 14s (id; Travelling expenses £10; Sales, Karitane products, books, etc. £15 12s 4d; In tor-' est on deposits £3 lis sd; Other receipts 18s 2d. Total £514 12s 3d. Payments: Nurses' salary (including superannuation deductions) £258 8s 9*l; Nurses' travelling expensed £20 3s; Repairs and renewal of equipment £G 7s 3d; Rent, aleansing. light, fuel £14 Gs; Printing, stationery, postages, etc. £12 10s lOid; Putchases, Karitane products, books, etc. £14 5s sd; Contribution to HeiU Office expenses £18 13s 3d; Levy foi Society's contribution to Superan(Continued in next column)