PLUNKET SOCIETY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 82, 24 July 1942, Page 5

PLUNKET SOCIETY

THE WHAKATANE BRANCH

LAST YEAR'S OPERATIONS

An indication of the splendid service -which is still being maintained by the Plunket Society in this district Mas given at the annual meeting last Wednesday, in Nurse E. M. Armstrong's report.

The number of days in each centre amounted to Whakatane 172, Edgecumbc 20, Opotiki 49, Rangitaiki 25, Taneatua 2(5, Ohope 17, Waimana 25 (visits) Nukulion 11, Awakaponga 2. During the year the number of babies under supervision were-.as under : Whakatane ITG, Opotiki 98, Taneatua 32, Rangitaiki GO, total 33(5. The number of visits to the various depots Mere: Whakatane 3103, Opotiki 2825, Edgecumbe 082, Taneatua 514, Ohope 108. General Health The general health of the mothers and babies has been very satisfactory, says Nurse Armstrong. A good percentage of the new cases have been, breast-fed. A number of mothers have borrowed the testweighing scales and have benefitted by being able to test weight for 24 hours or more. Since the room has been discontinued at Ohope I have visited the homes there when necessary. Most of the mothers with the older babies have managed to come into the Whakatane rooms. Of the 22 babies artificially fed when first seen, 12 were over three months old when mothers came for advice regarding diet.

I would like to thank the mothers for their co-operation in carrying out the advice given. Also I desire to thank the committee for their help and consideration and the Medical Practitioners and any others who have assisted my work in an\ way. Mt Abbot has been very kind in taking charge of the test weighing scales for me when they have been returned and I have not been in the rooms. Taneatua Branch The following report from the president of the Taneatua subbranch, Mrs E. C. \ conian, was received.

We are glad to report a very successful year. The interest in the Plunket Society and what the Nurse is able to do in regard to advising mothers about the care ol their babies is largely growing amongst the people. The result is shown in the sight of so many beautiful healthy babies, and also in the amount of money gathered during the year. Other calls are ever before us and yet we have been able to pay our way and even pay one half year's dues ahead and still have a useful balance in hand. I desire to heartily thank the members of our committee for their interest and their willing help during Lhc year, and also to congratulate our able secretary for her untiring efforts. The nurse's report stated that the general health of the mothers and babies at Taneatua had been good. There have been the usual minor seasonal upsets at times, the average daily attendance has been better this year being 20.5. Last year's average was 16.5. I woidd like to thank the members of the committee for their help and consideration, also the mothers for their co-opera-tion . Tlie bank balance showed a credit of £12 I.ls sd.

Rangitaiki Operations

I have much pleasure in presenting the 4th annual report of the Rangitaiki sub-branch of the Plunket Society, said Mrs E. S. Dunning the president. We have held two committee meetings during the year which has been a successful one. Funds were raised shortly be I ore Christmas by a competition, the prizes being donated by Mrs "Winters, Mrs Hauitain and Mrs Hopkirk.

Committee members have very kindly furnished a room in Edgecumbe where Nurse Armstrong is in attendance every other Aveek. The following is her report: I wish to thank committee members for' the use of their houses for meetings and for their support during the year. We also thank Mr Blair for again acting as Hon. Auditor. Nurse Armstrong's report showed that there had been 207 visits to homes and no less than (>B2 visits to the rooms. The balance sheet showed funds in credit to the extent of £13 18s sd. Opotiki Sub-branch. Considering our very difficult year our financial position is very satisfactory; we started the year' with a balance of £102 8s 6d and finished (Continued in next column)