RED CROSS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 20, 23 April 1947, Page 5

RED CROSS

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Whakatane branch of the Red Cross Society was held in the Red Cross rooms on April 15. Those present were: Mrs W. Sul-. livan (chair), Mesdames Barry, Winstone, Whittle, R. Morpeth, E. Armstrong, James, Prideaux, Shapley, Alan Bridger and Lovelock. Apologies: Mesdames Creeke, C. Armstrong, M. Ramson, N. Patterson, Comiskey, Caisley, Bennett and Miss Armstrong. Report and Balance Sheet

The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. The balance sheet for the year and the president's report were read and adopted. Secretary's Resignation

Mrs Winstone tendered her resignation as Branch Secretary which was received with regret.

Mrs Sullivan, in moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Winstone, spoke in eulogistic terms of her excellent and untiring efforts in her work for the Red Cross Society and expressed the pleasure of everyone in Mrs Winstone retaining her position as secretary to the centre. Mrs James then presented Mrs Winstone with a floral bouquet as a small gesture of appreciation from the committee.

Mrs Winstone, in voicing her thanks, stressed the urgency for continued work for the Red Cross. - Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows:

President, Mrs B. S. Barry; vicepresidents, Mesdames W. Sullivan and James; executive, President, vice-presidents and secretary and Mesdames Shapley, Armstrong, Prideaux and Winstone; secretary, Mrs L. D. Lovelock; treasurer, Mrs Patterson; auditor, Mr Mollgaard; delegates to Centre, President and secretary. Vote of Thanks Mrs James moved a special vote of thanks to the retiring president, Mrs W. Sullivan, and spoke in glowing terms of her inspiring leadership and untiring efforts in connection with the Red Cross building. This was carried by acclamation. Votes of thanks were also passed to the treasurer, Mrs Patterson; auditor, Mr Good; Mr KingsleySmith and Mr J. Henry. Mrs Sullivan moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Caisley for her splendid effort in enrolling new members.

The meeting then closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.

DIRECTOR-GENERAL'S VISIT

ROOMS PRAISED Miss Crooke, Director-General N.Z. Red Cross V.A.D., visited Whakatane recently. She visited the high school and was the guest of the staff at morning tea. Later Miss Crooke was formally welcomed by Mr Hubbard, headmaster, and introduced to a group of junior Red Cross circles. Home nursing certificates were presented to a number of senior girls who had attended classes taken by Mrs Prideaux, Lady Superintendent of the VA.D. All had passed in the examination, some with honours. Miss Crooke congratulated the recipients on their work and said that the juniors were very lucky in having Miss Lawes as their organiser and to have the help and enocuragement of their headmaster, Mr Hubbard.

Film Evening

The Red Cross rooms were filled for a screening of some films brought by Miss Crooke from Wellington and loaned to her by C.0.R.5.0. headquarters and the Famine Emergency Committee. The films gave the audience an idea of the suffering in wartorn countries which the Red Cross Society is working to alleviate.

The Society gratefully acknowledges the loan of a sound projector by the A.T.C. and the services of Sergeant Mead who operated the machine.

Letter of Appreciation

Since her return to Wellington Miss Crooke has written a letter saying how much she enjoyed her brief visit to Whakatane, and to express her thanks to all those who helped her to . organise functions. She also thanked the people who had arranged entertainment, including an enjoyable-picnic at the Heads with members of the V.A. Detachment, for her. Miss Crooke added: "I must congratulate you once again en your enterprise in obtaining your excellent rooms and have held you up to other centres in this as an example." Before she left Whakatane Miss Crooke was the guest of Mrs W. Sullivan, President .of the Red Cross Centre, who invited a number of officers and members of the Society to meet the guest.