RESPONSIBLE WORK

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 198, 19 May 1944, Page 6

RESPONSIBLE WORK

Difficult Year For Ladies’ Christian Association

The work of the AVellington Ladies’ Christian Association is onerous and exacting, specially in such a tune as the nresent. and at the annual meeting yesterday afternoon some of the difficulties it has met during the past year were revealed in the reports. lhe association has in its care the Levin Memorial Home and the Alexandra Home for AA omen, and lhe Maternity Hospital. Mrs. L. Luke is president of the Levin committee and Mrs. O. E. Blamires of the Alexandra C °The tt s e ixty-fourth report of the Alexandra Home and Maternity Hospital was the record of a very busy year with heavy demands on both home and hospital, it said The increased number of patients admitted to the hospital during the year had put heavy pressure on the staff, and the committee thanked the matron, sisters and trainees for loyal support in this very exacting work. Members of the staff had raised funds, by their own effort, to procure a baby trolley for the hospital. This improved way of conveying babies from the nursery had been ot great assistance, in that it reduced the amount of walking the nurses had to do. Twenty-six trainees had passed through the training school during the year, all having passed their examination four with honours and one gaining first place for the Dominion. A’oluntary aids gave 1200 hours’ service during the year besides many hours of work at the home making'dressings and table napkins tor the hospital. This service, so generously given, was much appreciated, and was of great help to the staff.. Eight voluntarv aids had received their practical tuition. The Terrace Congregational Church Women’s Guild helped to make babies’ wollen garments, and spent many hours in hand sewing for the hospital, and 12 doctors’ gowns were made by Mrs. Gray Hassell. Thus difficulties and problems were lightened by the assistance given. ~ , • Kind subscribers would like to know that in addition to Christmas good cheer provided by them, an out-of-doors shelter had been built in the garden for the girls babies, and the matron had reported that the babies seemed improved in health since they spent the greater part of every dav in their sun shelter. Sister Noel had to relinquish her work among the girls of the home on account of ill-health, her place being taken by Sister Christabel. _. , For Homeless Young Girls.

The period under review presented greater financial difficulties than ever, stated the Levin Home report, aud in order to ensure that the home should continue the very importeaut role it played in the life of the community, in providing suitable surroundings for homeless young girls, it was most desirable that nil supporters and friends make a special effort to assist the home during the coming year. Repairs and 'maintenance of such an old building drained a considerable portion of the available income. Such things as spouting, fencing, locks, and windows had to be renewed, plumbing attended to, together with the constant necessity of painting various parts of the building. The garden proved once again one of the greatest assets, and thanks to Mrs. Du Pont for her untiring efforts, this department of the home life remained on a satisfactory basis. The report stated that the committee felt that in spite of the difficulties that had been overcome and those that were ahead, every confidence might be placed in the coming year, and it knew, this would be achieved with the continued loyalty and support of the home’s many friends. , As the war continued, holidays.were becoming quiet and more, limited 'in means of enjoyment for the children. Notwithstanding difficulties,-the. same friends of the home, who for years had made it their duty to provide the girls with various forms of enjoyment, saw to it that they were not forgotten.