WORK OF WOMEN'S SOCIETIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 180, 25 April 1919, Page 3

WORK OF WOMEN'S SOCIETIES

RECORD FOR THE YEAR The annual meetings of the Wellington Ladies' Christian Society, the Alexandra Home, and the Levin Home Committees wero held in St. John's Schoolroom yesterday. Mrs. Glasson presided. LADIES' CHRISTIAN SOCIETY.' . The annual report presented by Mrs. Glasson was as follows: "Much regret is felt at the serious losses incurred by the withdrawal of the much-esteemed president and two members of the Dorcas Society and Committee after 15 years of 'faithful, untiring work in the interests of t : he society. Mrs. Menzies felt herself obliged to retire from the position as president. This caused much anxiety, as no ono has yet been found to fill the position. Mrs. Glasson, who had assisted to fill the vacancy, lias found herself unablo to undertake the responsibility of the position. Mrs. John Duncan and Mi's. Charles Smitli have al6o retired owing to ill-health. Another great loss to the association was the passing away of Mrs. Birdikin, who was a very active worker and did much to help struggling mothers with delicate children. The Ilorcns is- still controlled by Mrs. A. Anderson, assisted by Mrs. Badham and Mrs. von Dadelszen, and a jrent jimount of warm clothing and comforts have been given. The Boot Club is still in existence, and continues to do good work. Mothers with large families have been especially helped. Children have been warmly clad and sent to the Belmont Convalescent Home on being discharged from the Hospital. More,members are needed for the'Dorca3 Society, as thero are many poor mothers to be helped, who have neither time nor money to keep their children properly' clad. Sickness of the parents or children soon led to difficulties. 'The committee wishes to thank the following for The TwoGarment Society, the Protection of Women and Children Society, Plunket Society, St. John Ambulance, Truant Officers, school nurse, police, and the Sixth Standard girls of the Kilbirnio School for clothing." Garments and material given during tho year: Flannelette, 120 yards; flannel, 114 yards; material, 6,1; calico, 150; galate.l, 104 yards; women's and girls' parments, 227; men's and boys'. 172; babies, ■108; socks and stockings, 80 pairs; secondhand garments, 690; blankets, 10 pairs; quilts, 22; extract of malt,, 14 bottles; maternity bag lent eight times; cases dealt with during year, 101; visits paid, 420. The same committee and officers were re-elected, with tho exception of the president yet to be appointed. The balancesheet shows monev in hand amounting to .£ll2 19s. 6d. ALEXANDRA HOME. The report of the Alexandra Home, presented by the president, Mrs. Gill, was as follows: "Mrs. M'Lean during tho year asked for leave of absence to visit England. Mrs. Pattie and Mrs. Buxton havo been elected members of the lOinniitteo during the year. The girls are taught general housework, laundry work, cooking, nursery work, and to 'help tho nurses in tho wards and the gardens. Vegetables for the homo have been freely grown. In order to preserve tho memory of Miss Greenwood, the much-beloved and 1 respected president for so many years, the committee is anxious to build a wing,'to be used" as a. hospital ward, and to be called the "Greenwood Memorial Wing.' 1 The work was increasing every year, and (the present home was too smail 'for the noeds. ' A: wing to be used as a hospital. ward only would greatly relieve the 1 riressure." The matron reported that they were grateful to Dr. Perkins for medical attention. Miss Inglis, of St. Helens, was also thanked for her kindly help and cooperation. Thanks were dno to Messrs. Izard and Woston for legal advice, ard to. Nathan and Co. for a. large donation of glnxo. The Two-Garnient;Society were also thanked for.a'generons donation of clothing and'gifts of fruit, vegetables, clothing,; etc., hayevbeen. gratefully ieceivetL.'froin: tilrio ; ,to time. The usual amount "was. rcceivocVj from "Chn&tmas, for wliich .gratitude ,was| expressed. Letters of gratitude'have been received from ! outside patients who have all been attended bv the nurses; from parents and friends of the girls, and from the gins themselves after -they have left. The conduct of the girls has been exception, ally good. Emphasis was laid in the report upon the loyal co-operation and help received from the staff, who had done all that was possible for 'the good of the home.and ,thq girls. Many of tho girls were helped both before and after leaving the home by the nurses. All tho nurses wlio 6at for. their examinations i passed and received their certificates. The statistics of the home for the year ; arc as follow:—Admitted to the homei

' Alarrio<l women, 54; single women, 47 j 1 total, 101. Births during the year: MarI vied women, 54; single 45;, total, 199. Boys born, 50. girls. 49; deaths, of S ohildren prematurely born. 3; marriages i to fathers of children, 3: not to fathers, | i fi; adoptions to roo<l homes, 8; girls j ' taking babies to parent, homes, 9; eirle « j bikini? babies to situations, 7; babies | i committed to the State, 5; to licensed j ; homes, G. Situations have been found j I for f>S. girls. Maternity cases attended to i bv the nurses outside tho home, 102. : 'The balance-sheet showed a credit of JM2 9s.' 2d. The' committee was _ re- . elected. The report concludes by savin?! "It is with rerret that we record the i- death of Mrs. Morrah, for many years 1 a member and vice-president of the cqm- ; mit+ee. She was a mine of information with the home, and her knowledge and good advice ore much missed n.t the'meetings. Mr.?. Morra.li showed in a very : practical n;anner her sympathy with the I aims of the home by leaving a legacy i which the committee gratefully acknowi ledges." | LEVIN MEMORIAL HOME. 1 The annual report was as follows: "The . committee are glad to be able to report a very satisfactory year. The health ot : the children has been good, and the homo escaped the influenza epidemic, a.fect that was due largely to the care and ' attention that the matron gives to the well-being of the children.- There v.as ono ease of rheumatic fever, and the child had to be sent to the Wellington Hospital and afterwards to the Macarthy Convalescent Home. for Children. She has now quite recovered. During the year six new children have been admitted, and' four have left the homo, i threo to return to their mothers, nr.d the other to take up domestic work. Thero aro now twenty-four girls in the home. The committee wishes to reoord the ■ splendid work that is being done by the matron, Miss Jolly. Many of the cluld- : re'.i aro very young, and need a wise ana watchful cai'e, which Miss Jolly gives. ; She" is ably helped by her assistant, Miss , Macdonalii. Tne committee desires to thank the following for their generous donations: Mr. and Mrs. John Duncan, i°>s- Two-Garment Socfety, 103 garments; Sir's. M. A. Williams, two pictures; the Pord Motor Co., a load of wood monthly;, Hnwke's Bav Fisheries and Hurcoinbe and Son, a 'fish dinner' weekly ; Mrs. H. Elder, fruit and produce; Mrs. ! cakes weekly; and the pupils of Fitz- ■ herbert Terrace School, clothing for one i child; and other friends. The gift of a gramophone has been greatly appreciated. Tho gift tea which n wos held in September was a great v success. Donations amounting to .£« ss. lOd. were received; also 36 ya.r<L:-.of material and quite a ([imutity of gi>ceries. The committee wish to specially thank Miss Gwon Shepperd, who arranged, tho musical programme, which brightened tho afternoon, also Miss Lcighton and Miss Kanwell, who trained the children in several action songs; Mrs. Archibald and Mrs. Longmore, who saw to a splendid cakes stall; and Miss Elaine West and her assistants for the sale of (lowers. A very appropriate gift which is much prized was the beautiful enlarged photograph pf tho late Miss Ellen Greenwood, president of the homo for twenty-fivo years, presented by Miss Elizabeth Greenwood. This was unveiled at the gift tea. by Mrs. J. P. Luke. The committee wishes to tlianfc Dr. Harold Kemp and Mr. Arthur Hoby for professional services given to llio children of the home. The retiring members of committea eligible for re-election were Mrs. ICnowles, Mrs. J. P. Luke, Miss Morrah, and Miss Eobieson, who were rc-electcd. The committee meets every Bonond Tuesdny at the homo. Tho following were appointed: President,' Miss Archibald; vice-presi-dents, Mm. J. P. Luke and Mrs. \Vest- . ICnowles; hon. secretary, Miss Barry) hon. treasurer, Mies Ida Morrah i com-

mittee, Mrs. William Christie, Miss Dora Greenwood, Mrs. Henry Hall, Mrs. A. Hoby, Miss Bobieson, Mrs. West, Mif» Speed, and Miss Young. The matron is Miss Jolly, and sub-matron, Miss M'Donald." , ... . The balance-sheet ■ showed a cieuit of £,% 146. Bd.