PLUNKET SOCIETY

Chronicle (Levin), 22 April 1947, Page 3

PLUNKET SOCIETY

SHANNON SUB-BRANCH'S ANNUAL MEETING The annual general meeting of the Shannon sub-branch of the Plunket Society was held in the Plunket Rooms last week. Those present were Mesdames L. W. Wilson (president) , J. Creagh (secretary) , J- A. Easton, C. Tremewan, E. Barber, C. Wishart, R. Lind, E. Chester and J. McNeile. Mrs. L. J. Hunter (president) , Mrs. H. S. Walkley (secretary) , Mrs. C. Sugton (treasurer) and five members from the Levin branch also attended. The report on the past year stated that steady progress had been made and the year closed with the finanees in a satisfactory condition. The financial membership totalled 47, which was an increase of 10. This was very encouraging, but the committee would be considerably more heartened if more mothers • would enrol as members. To increase the funds of . the society the usual annual dance was held, by which the sum of £13 7s 6d was raised. A children's fancy dress party added £5 ls 6d to the funds. The local sub-brancn was asked to raise £40 as a donation towards the Karitane Hospital appeal. A baby photographic contest was organised and was a wonderful success, the proceeds amounting to £142 4s. The sum of £40 was sent away and the balance was set aside to be . used in donations to Karitane at times when the Shannon ' sub-branch is called upon for further funds. Owing to the Karitane appeal being held so close to the date set aside for the annual Plunket day stall, the committee decided to cancel this effort for tly.s year. The nurse's report showed a disappointing decrease in the number of babies to visit the rooms during the year, although the number of new babies was greater. The attendance • for the year was as follows: — Adults 454, babies 423, pre-school childreh 55. Visits to homes 92, new babies 29. The nurse reported that in the absence of proper scales to weigh pre-school children, resulted in the falling off in attendance of these children. As pre-school Plunket -work is very important, it is necessary to have the scales for

this purpose. Since 1942 the Plunket rooms have been let on one day a week to a visiting doctor. In January of this year Dr. Wilson, who twas then considering setting up a practice in Shannon as a resident1 doctor, asked if the Plunket committee would be willing to let the rooms to him every day with the exception of the, Plunket nurse's day. The members of the committee were not ' entirely in agreement, but since Shannon needed a doctor and there was no other building suitable for consulting j rooms it was agreed that the doctor be allowed to rent the rooms until he could . provide alteinative ac'commodation. The committee wished to extend grateful thanks to Nurse Hight for her efficient and conscientious work, to Miss E. Roach, who had generously provided lunch for the Plunket nurse each week, to Mr. C. M. Cronquest who so kindly audited the books each year, "The Chronacle" for assistance given, Mrs. Hyde and the mothers of the district for their co-operation during the baby contest for the Karitane appeal, and the residents of Shannon and the surroundrng districts for their generous response to all appeals made during the year. The credit balance stood at £156 9s 3d, of which £102 4s was Karitane money placed in a special account.

Election of Officers The following were elected to .fill the offices of the sub-branch for the comrng year: — Patroness, Mrs. E. L. Hyde; president, Mrs. L. W. Wilson (re-elected) ; vicepresidents : Mesdames C. Tlremewan and E. Barber; secretarytreasurer, Mrs. C. Tremewan; committee, Mesdames L. W. Wilson, C. Tremewan, J. Creagh, E. Barber, C. Stern, J. A. Easton, F. Edmonds, V. J. Bateman, C. Wishart, J. McNeile, Hutchinson and R. Lind; auditor, Mr. C. M. Cronquest; advisory board, the Mayor (Mr. R. E. Downes) , Dr. Wilson, Messrs. F. Edmonds and R. R. Lind. A dainty afternoon tea was handed around and at a suitable ' juncture the president (Mrs. Wilson) spoke of the pending departure from their midst oi Mrs. J. Creagh, who, although their secretary for only a short while, had been most efficient and a guiding hand in the beautiful baby contest. They were all very sorry that Mrs. Creagh was leaving Shannon, and as a small mark of the great appreciation they had for the work she had done handed her a small gift as a memento of her association with the local sub-branch. Mrs. Creagh in thanking the committee for the most unexpected gift, said she was Plunket-minded and hac been a member of the society foi 14 years. She had enjoyed working with them and loved the work and of all things to work for she considered the Plunket Societ] the greatest. Beautiful floral sprays weri presented to the president, secre^ ary and treasurer of the Levn manehu and to Mrs, Creagh ara

Mrs. J. A. Easton, a past president and willing worker for the subbranch.