A BUSY MONTH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 51, 22 February 1944, Page 3

A BUSY MONTH

RED CROSS-PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE V.A.D. ACCOMMODATION

The first monthly meeting for 1944 was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Tuesday, Bth February, Mrs W. Sullivan was in the chair and there was a good attendance. A meeting of the Red Cross Executive Committee had been held previous to the general meeting to discuss the matter of a Red Cross room. Correspondence, was read and discussed. A letter from the Wellington Centre was read asking Bay of Plenty to assist in the sale of a cookery book they were producing. It is of special interest and dealt with the best way to carry on with rationed butter and sugar etc. The amount raised from sales is to go to the Disaster Relief Fund, and after discussion it was agreed to order 100 copies. They will: be for sale in the shop. Junior Red Cross: Miss Lawes of the district agreed to take, on the duties of J.R.C. organiser at the Whakatane School. Appreciation was expressed and her appointment confirmed by the committee. V.A.D. Mrs Prideaux reported classes were still in abeyance owing to the lack of accommodation. Il was hoped to have a meeting of V.A.s soon. Miss M. Righton had been appointed delegate to the North Island Voluntary Aid Committee meeting in Auckland, but "this had been postponed owing to the traffic restrictions. Mrs Sullivan said the hospital was in urgent need of staff and V.A.s were not coming forward as they should, there were a number of V.A.s who could help hut were not doing so- She hoped they would realise their responsibilities in the matter. Sewing: Mrs Ramson reported that she has still on hand 4 pairs of. cut out pyjamas to be made up. The High School had taken three pairs. There was still a quantity of grey flannel not yet returned. Mrs Buddie had handed in three shirts. . Knitting: This was still somewhat slow, said Mrs. Timbs, but she hoped to get a knitting circle going shortly. Everyone present was asked to get one knitter to malic up the wool at present, on hand. The following articles were despatched: To Joint Council —Six pairs socks, 3 pullovers. To Patriotic—One pair mittens, 3 pulovers, 16 balaclavas, 2 pair socks, 1 cap, 19 scarves.

Entertainments: Mrs E. ArmStrong reported that the following men had been farewelled during the month: Bert Lucas (navy), J. Young, T. R. Henderson, C. Smith, E. "Walker, B. Woolliams, A. Jeff ares-, C. Harris. The special effort for room funds organised Jar Christmas Eve, when the V.A.s had assisted had resulted in the sum of. £58 14s 3d being raised.' Lady Galway Guild: Mrs Moran sa'id that this organisation now had the use of a shop next to the King Street Hall. They had, a sewi ing machine there, and met every other -Wednesdaj 7 . Mrs Cockerell "would take, garments etc. for the Lady Galway Guild at the King Street dairy. , Hospital Visits: Mrs James said she visited sick and wounded men in the hospital every week and distributed comforts. The number of men varied. Mrs James suggested that a collection of walking sticks be made for use of the men. Mrs Pearse asked for old copies of women's magazines for tho; use of W.A.A.F's learning dressmaking. They learned to* cut out garments from illustrations in the books. Magazines could be left at the shop (when they should be labelled for Mrs Pearse) or left at Mrs Pearse's house ia Douglas Street. Shop: It was decided to continue with the streets scheme for stocking and staffing the shop as being the most equitable method. Mrs A. G. Allan said the cash box and key could be left at their shop, but must be left before 4.30 and on Saturday morning before 12 nono. Mrs James agreed to take over the shop for the next two months. Mrs Allan said ta'kings up to Xmas Eve were just under £200. This was eon~ gidered excellent. Mrs Barry said takings for the day the shop was used for the. Hospital Comforts Fund came to approximately £8.