Plunket Society Reviews Year's Work

Chronicle (Levin), 12 May 1949, Page 2

Plunket Society Reviews Year's Work

The annual general meeting of the Otaki sub-branch of the Pxunket Society wa s heid last week. Mrs. W. Morton (presiden't) , extended a welcome to Mrs. G. A. Monk, president of the- Coastal Towns branch, members of Pukerua Bay sub-branch and Mrs. Tomlinson, guest speaker for the afternoon. Mrs. Morton thanke'd members of the committee for their help and co-operation 'throughout the year, and extended her thanks and appreciation to the honorary secretary, Mrs. R. T. Mortiboy. Mrs. Monk was in the chair and the president and secretary 's report and balance sheet was approved and the nurse's report rea-d and adopted. In commenting on the balance sheet, Mrs. Monk congratulaied the committee on the sound finiancial position of the subbranch, and said it would be noted from the figures that the committee had kept the running expenses for the year down to a very low figure. Speaking in a similar strain, Mrs. D. Blake also offered her congratulations to the committee on the work of the past year. It is regretted that there was not a larger number of mothers and interested members of the public present, if only to give encouragement and show interest in the activities of a voluntary committee of ladies, who work hard throughout the year to further the objects of the society. Three apologies were received. The nurse's report showed that the number of babies and preschool children, under her care totalled 117. The number of new baby cases for the. year was 67. Dr. Furness, of the Health Department, now pays regular three month'y visrts to the rooms and examines the pre-school children. Mrs. Monk urged all mothers to keep their appointments and so help to further this very imporlant side of the society's work. New Officers. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — President: Mrs. W. Morton (reelected) ; vice-presi'dents: Mesdames H. Nicolson and S. EUott, Drs. E. G. Atmore and F. A. H. Neate, and Messrs C. F. Atmore, W. Morton and A. G. Kirkwood; committee: Mesdames E. Edwards, L. G. Gimblett, J. Hewitson, M. Holmes, G. M. Kirk, A. *G. Kirkwood, L. Moss, L. G. MacDonald, H. O'Brien, E. Pothan, J. Reid, F. Rule, W. Rzoska, A. Saunders, J. Stuart, E. Tooby, J. Urquhart and C. Williams; honorary secretary-treasur-er: Mrs. Mortiboy; delegates: Mesdames Morton and Mortiboy. • Mrs. Morton thanked members for her re-election as president and said that she found pleasure in passing a vote of thanks to ihe retiring members, Mesdames E. M. Souihcomfce, N. •Radcliffe, C. Jacobs and R. Roiri, who were not seeking re-election. A vote of thanks to Mrs. Monk for conducting the meeting was carried by acclamation. Mrs. Tomlinson, of Plimmerton, gave a very interesting talk on nursery play centres, which the speaker considered are a great boon in providing an afternoon each week of companionship and play for the toddler, and for children up to five years of age. These centres are in charge of a trained person, preferably a kindergarten teacher, and with the help of mothers who take it in turn to give an afternoon, children soon learn to play happLy with others. They become very adept at the games and very interested in the toys provided for their entertainment. Mrs. Tomlinson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for her address, which was of great interesfc to all who had the pleasure oi lisiening to it. Annual Report. The president's and secretary's report read as folloWs: "Throughout the year the work progressed steadily and we are pleased. to report that we have had another successful year. Our go'od financial position has been maintained, and although the balance on the year's working was not quite as good as previously this is accounted for by ihe increase in salary and heavier car levy. "The bazaar brought in the very satisfactory sum of £89. We would like a greater interest to be taken in* the affairs of the sub-branch by those who benefit by the work of the voluntary committee. We do hope this coming year will see added interest in the running of the sub-branch, and would appeal to all mothers who are able to join the committee to do so, or to help in the aciivities organised from time to time to raise funds. "The nurse's report shows that the work is steadily increasing and that the number op babies "and preschool children under her care is now 117. We extend our thanks to Nurse Potter for her continued efforts in her work for the care ,of mothers and babies in the district. We record with great regret the death during the year of . Mr. II. Witchell, who had been a foundation member and honorary auditor of the sub-branch for over 25 years. "In conclusion we would like to express our thanks to Wilson's Pharmacy, Mr. Rule, Mr. Morton and all who have helped us. throughout the year, and hope that ihe year fihead wjll see even greater

activity to further the aims and objects of the society." Nurses' Report. The nurse save the following statistics: — "Number of new baby cases for the year, 62; visits to homes, 482; visits of . adults. to rooms, 590; babies, 566; pre-chool children, 61; transfers to Otaki, 7; from Otaki, 2; number of babies under supervision, 79; pre-school children, ■ 38. "Progress has been steady and figures 'show 'a slight increase on last year. The large increase in home visits was brought about by the polio epidemic and consequent restricted rooms attendance. During the year Dr. Furness commenced examination of children under clinic supervision. Our aim is to have all pre-school children under clinic supervision examined yearly by a doetor. May this coming year show a big increase in this. May I extend my appreciation to Mrs. Mortiboy and committee members for their assistance during the year, and to mothers for their cooperation."