RED CROSS SOCIETY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 77, 1 June 1943, Page 5

RED CROSS SOCIETY

WHAKATANE SUB-CENTRE

PRESIDENTS REPORT

lift presenting licr report at the annual meeting of tlie Whakatanc Sub-Centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society. Mrs W. Sullivan, the president stated: —

I have much pleasure in presenting our fourth, annual report. Our year has been an extremely active one., and we realise that we must

continue to increase our scope of work. Our membership is now 104!. This is tlian last year as no special drive for membership was conducted. I would like the ladies to try and again increase, the -membership for the current year. The revenue for the year has been raised mainly by special effort in the shop and the catering for the A. and P. Show. A special effort for comforts for Prisoners of War realised £22 which has been forwarded to headquarters.

Sewing has been undertaken b3 r some of the. sewing groups for the local hospital, for which the Matron has been grateful. Full sets of clothing have now been completed for all ages from infants to X.O.jS. both sexes. These have, been stored in four depots in the Borough. Clothing has been supplied to several cases in the Borough and one family has been assisted with a weekly cash donation.

Work has been undertaken Tortile Joint Council of the sick and wounded. Material for pyjamas was received and 7(J pairs were cut out and despatched, also 13 bed jackets and six tray cinHis. Further material has been received and from it has been made 44 pair? of pyjamas, 10 dressing gowns and six bed jackets and these arc ready for despatch. The Whakatane Women's Institute has been of great assistance with this sewing, and for their kindly co-operation and material assistance I thank them. i

The Knitting Committee this year has completed 1045 articles, comprising pullovers, both long and, short sleeves, waistcoats, cardigans, balaclavas, socks, bed socks and skull caps, and this committee is

again grateful to the Women's Institute for their assistance, also to the League of Mothers, Te Tcko and the Onepu Committee. eases of small tOAvels and dressings <?tc. have been sent to a New Zealand hospital in the Middle East, and one large case of used linen to headquarters.

Our V,A.D. Detachment has remained in the charge of the Lady Superintendent Mrs Prideaux who has faithfully carried, on the Avork of instruction in Home Nursing, and arranged the necessary classes for tlie completion of the training of the V.A.D.'s.

Four members have also commenced the course of Kitchen and Laundry. The Junior Red Cross has been stimulated by our secretary, Mrs "Wins,tone, Avho put in a week organising the Aarious activities. Now the High School has a circle, and two new circles in Standard VI.

1 Avish to thank our secretary and treasurer, Mrs Wins-tone, for the wonderful energy and very capable manner in Avhich she has carried out her duties. This meeting is asked to appoint a treasurer to her some relief from the OA r er heaA-y burden. To each convenor of committees, Mesdames Ramson, E. Armstrong, Shapley, Timbs and James, I tender my sincere thanks as I fully realise the success of the yccSr is due to> their untiring Avork and interest. We arc greatly indebted to Messrs Nathan and Co. for the. free use of two of their shops in the Strand, one of which Ave use as a training room. Our Lady Superintendent reports this room is now too small to hold all the V.A.D.'s in training, and'l recommend that this committee be-prepared to obtain suitable premises when the time is opportune.