SOCIAL WORK

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 180, 19 April 1918, Page 2

SOCIAL WORK

THREE WOMEN'S SOCIETIES ANNUAL MEETINGS . Tho annual meeting of tho Ladies' Christian Association,) tho Levin Home, and tho Alexaudra Home Committees (incorporated) was held in St. John's Schoolroom yesterday aftarnoon. Mrs. Glasson presided. In presenting the report of the year's work of tho Ladies' Christian Association, Mrs. Menzies (president) stated that they had only an eight months' setfiion to re< port upon, as most of tho members wero busy with patriotic work. The Dorcas Society, however, was still keeping: on its work, and tho Boot Club its membership.' Maternity bags had been lent eight times, and tho mothers on returning them in good order received an outfit of short clothes for their infants. The resignation of Mrs. Dawson \an old member), owing to ill-health, was received with regret. From tho Macarthy Trust had been received a grant of £83, tor which they wore extremely grateful, and much gratitude was felt towards tho committee and all workers who had helped towards tho success of tho' association'? work, including tho Two-Garment Society, Mr. Dineen, and many others. During the year 300 garments had been out out and finished; 90 cases had been dealt with, and 355 visits paid. The number of new garments received wero 159. second-hand, 559; distributed, 1129 (now and secondhand); blatikets, 19 pairs; sheets, 10 pairs; quilts, 2sl; material, 683 yards. Among the materials bought wore 30 yards of sheeting and 709 of material, 8 boys' suits, and 1 8 pairs of men's undergarments Subscriptions and donations to the amount of £102 18s. Bd. had been received during tho year, and various amounts to tho Sixpenny Club had been collected by Mrs. Anderson, Miss Hiecock, Mrs. Bolworthy, and Miss M. 'Wood. The balanoo-shcet, read by tho hon. treasurer, Mi6s M'Leod, showed a balance in the bank of £107 15s. lOd. and in Government debentures £550. Tho retiring mombars of tho committeo were reelected, Miss Smaiioone also being added to thoir number in place of Mrs. Dawson. Tho annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. ■ • Levin Memorial Home.. In presenting the annual report of tho Levin Momorial Homo, Miss Archibald said that the health and general progress of tho children .during tho year had been most satisfactory, this being greatly due to tho caro and able management of Mi6s .Tolly, tho matron, who fulfilled her various and often difficult duties with . great ability. There wero twenty-four children in tho homo. Ono was being trained in domestic duties and. the others attend' school. Tho death of tho lato president, Miss. Ellen Greenwood, who had taken such a whole-hearted aud enthusiastic intorest irt the homo ovor since it was founded, was greatly deplored. Only those who had worked with her could realise the groat loss tho Lovin Memorial Homo and other charitnblo institutions had sustained, for her lifo and high ideals had boon an inspiration to many. Tho drainage of tho homo being very unsatisfactory, a contract had been lot for its overhauling and rearrangement. Tho committee acknowledged gratoful thanks to tho following for kind and generous donations Mr. and Mrs. John Duncan, £25; Trustees of T. G. Macarthy Trust, £83 6s. Bd.; pupils of Fitzherbert Terraco School, £8 ss. Gd.; and a Christmas tree party, gift tea, £31 10s., 3601b. groceries, 88 yards dress' material; Mr.; Larmour, a load of wood monthly, which is especially acceptable during tho shortago of fuel; tho Hawke's Bay Fishery for a fish dinner overy week, and fish occasionally from Messrs. Huroomb arid Sons; Mrs. Elder, for fruit; and to those kind friends who have helped in many ways. Tho children wero entertained at picnics by Mrs. Archibald, Mrs. Christie, Miss. Leighton, and Miss Wright. At .Christmas timo several of those who had no friendß wero taken by girls, formerly in the homo, and now comfortably marriod, and given a pleasant holiday. This was very gratifying; as it showed tho continued interest of these girls and appreciation of the work done' for them. The committee acknowledges its indebtedness to Dr.. Harold Kemp and Mr. Hoby for professional services rendered, and regret .the retirement of Mr. C. P. (Powle's from the position of secretary to the Ladies C;A.'. Trustees. Mr. Powles had freely givon his services and helped in many ways. The balanco : shoot, read l>y tho hon. treasurer (Miss Morrah), showed receipts amounting to £759 ss. Gd., and expenditure of £599 12s. Id'., leaving a balance of £159 15s. sd. Tho report and bal-ance-sheet were both nceeptod. The retiring members of'the committee, Miss Young, Mrs.' Christie, Miss D. Greenwood, and Mrs. Hoby were re-elooted, and (he elections of Miss Archibald as president, Mrs. West Knowles vice-president, and Miss Barry secretary were reaffirmed, Alexandra Homo, The annual report of the Alexandra Home, presented by the president, Mrs. Gill, was as follows:—-A very stronuous year was 6pent at the Alexandra Home by the matron and 'stall', owing to an outbreak of diphtheria among the women and whooping cough among the babies. On account of the diphtheria a number of district and indoor casos had to be passed on or refused. Miss Inglis, matron of St. Helens Hospital, to whoso kind assistahco tho' committee owed much, relioved them of tho district cases during the outbreak. Twenty-four babic3 from a fortnight old >.«ioi,y ill .with whooping cought at the samo' time. Of theso six died, being too young to stand the strain of the cough. The committeo wished to put on record tho good work of tho matron and nurses during that time, the latter putting aside studies and giving all thoir attention to tho babies. Tho doctors attending wero more than pleased with their work. The matron reported tlio behaviour of tho girls had been very good indeed. Their work consisted of laundry, house, and nursery work. At the present time thero wero liuio babies in. the homo whose mothers had gone situations. Tho committeo was greatly indebted to tho doctors who had attonded at tho home.- Eight of the married women who were confined in the homo last year were old girls, aad it spolto well for the influence and interest of the homo that they camo back to it. The committeo was grateful to tho .Rev. Mr. Ballachoy 'and other clergymen and ladies who visit tho homo to take services. Tho Alexandra Homo lost a most cnthusiastio friend and devoted worker through tlio death of tho late Miss Greenwood. Sho . had beon secretary and then president of tho committee, and tho value of her work could not bo over-estimated. Mrs. Gill gavo tho following statistics of tho homo for tho year Admitted lo tlio home, 28 married and 45 singlo womon, totalling 73; discharged, 20 married and 17 singlo women, totai"73; births (males), 23; females, 31; total, til births; deaths from whooping cough, G; premature births, 3; marriages in tho home. 4; just after leaving tho home, 3; mothers talcing their babies to parent*' homos, 12; taking babies to situations, G; infants committed 'lo State, G; infanta adopted just after leaving, 1; infants boarded in licensed homes, 8; district cases attonded by nurses, 82. 'As tlio balance-sheet had not been completed, iho report- was held over fur adoption until next week, when, another meeting will be held lo deal with it mid tho balance-sheet. Mrs. Price and the Misses Watson (Hawke's Bay) aro visiting Auckland. Jerseys for your littlo boys. All sizes and shades of colour. Ik Ud. to 9s. ]ld. Geo. Fowkls, Ltd., Jlauncrs Street.— Advt. Mothers! Save money by getting XAZQL—the best family remedy for coughs and colds. Sixty doses for ts. (id. -mure than thrco (.uses a penny.—Advt.