RED CROSS ACTIVITIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 7, 23 September 1942, Page 5

RED CROSS ACTIVITIES

Whakatane branch meeting

CONFERENCE DELEG ATES

REPORT

The monthly meeting of the N.Z. Red Cross Society (Whakalane Branch) was held in the Borough Council Chambers on September 8, at 2.30 p.m. There was a good attendance. Mrs W. Sullivan was in the chair. Mrs Prideaux reported that Miss Runciman, Matron of the Whakatane Hospital, had agreed to hold ■ classes for Kitchen and Linen Voluntary Aids. There Avou'd be scv~ • eral lectures, and they Avould also get practical experience. Mrs Prideaux said thai the V.A. classes Avere well attended. A class for seniors would start shortly. For the Lady Galway Guild Mrs .. jVloran reported that live eases containing 570 garments had been pack«ed and shipped. Knitting Circle Mrs Timbs stated for the Knitting "Circlc that 98 garments had been completed and sent aAA T ay. They comprised 19 pairs bedsodks, 7 pairs socks, 19 scarves, 2 long-sleeved pullovers, 14 short-sleeved pullovers, 9 Avaistcoats, 7 pairs mittens, 2 pairs gloA r es, 4 skull caps and, 15 balaclaA 7 as. Thanks were expressed to the ladies who had done the work, but still more knitters AA'Ould be welcome. Mrs Shapley, for the Comforts Committee, said they had' 59 Xmas parcels to pack and send aAvay. The Institute had promised .to do live of •these. Men Farewelled Five men had been farewelled from the Borough during the month. They were Cpl T. Morgan, Pte W. Morgan, Pte R. Quintal, Pte 01.O 1 . lioulston and Pte T. Wyatt. Mrs Sullivan expressed regret at 'the forthcoming departure of Mrs Bullard, and, thanking her for the cheerful and Avilling help she had • always given, presented hert Avith a "bouquet. Mrs EL Armstrong also ■paid tribute to the assistance Mrs IBul'lard had gi\ r cn the Entertainment 'Committee. Mrs Bullard suitably responded. The Wellington Conference IVlrs Winstone reported on the Red 'Cross Annual Conference in Wellington which she had attended as delegate. It was most inspiring to see the enthusiasm displayed for branches of Red Cross work. It Avas opened Jjy Sir Cyril Newall,' who expressed their Excellencies admiration for the smartness and effi-j cierncy of the guard of honour of V.A.'s and Transport members, and pledged their support to Red Cross ".work. Lady NeAvall promised to become Lieutenant-in-Cliief of Red Cross V.A.'s, and her acceptance AAas enthusiastically A new office that of Director General of Red 'Cross V.A.'s Avas created for Miss H. I'. Crooke, who is to carry on the 'work that Miss Tcnnant so ably did till she Avas compelled to retire through ill-health. Miss Crooke Avas •capable, enthusiastic and charming, and her appointment Avas a distinct .gain to the V.A. movement. It Avas decided at the conference that Miss "Tennant be recommended for the .Florence Nightingale Medal. International Service A recommendation was adopted that £500 in Ncav Zealand currency be paid to the International Red Cross Committee in Geneva., Canon Coates said that this committee Avas a magnificent voluntary service to the world, done with great expedition and mar\ r ellous skill. A statement to the meeting by Brigadier General Bowerbank, Director General of Army Medical Services was received Avith much interest. He said that New Zealand V.A.'s would in future come under the control of the Army Medical SerA'ices, and Avould no longer be incorporated with the- W.W.S.A. They Avill be known as the Womeivs Army Auxiliary Corps V.A.'s and Avill Avear . the N.Z.AJYI.S. badge on the breast, the- Red Cross brassard Avill be is- . sued and Avorn Avhen necessary, and they wil'l also receive normal Medical Red Cross identity cards. Canon Coates described the activities of the Grey Ladies, a section •of which society had been started in Auckland.: Prisoners of War Nex:t morning some of the delegates visited the Prisoners of War Department in Torey Street, and -saw food parcels being packed. A ■;team of 25 women volunteers pack(Contenued in next column)

Ed tinned foods —beef, sausages-in-| tomato, carrots, coffee and milk, honey, tea, butter, cheese,- raisins, chocolate etc. in cartons, the lids of which were glued and ;they were then packed in cases. Twelve tins of food went into each carton, eight cartons to each case, and 1400 cases were packed every day. On the next relatives parcels to P. of W. were being censored. Each parcel was opened, its contents listed, and examined by the Censor. When -passed by him they were repacked, sewn up and re-addressed. All this work was also done by volunteers.

At Headquarters delegates saw the Stores Department. Cupboards containing pyjamas and dressing gowns (also heaps of material cut out and ready for distribution for making up), all varieties of knitted articles, slippers, bandages and other hospital needs, including amputee pillows etc., testified to the hours of work and hundreds of women who must be daily contributing time and labour.

Mrs Winstone thanked the committee very sincerely for the opportunity they gave her to attend this conference and obtain such an interesting contact with the work and personalities of the New Zealand Red Cross Society.