Red Cross Society

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 85, 27 April 1937, Page 9

Red Cross Society

HASTINGS BRANCH Freparations for a New Year REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES The need for increasing the membership, and particularly the augmenting of the society's funds to enable it to carry on with its work and service to the community were discuBsed at the annual meeting of the Hastings sub-centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society last evening, when Mr W. Selwyn Averill presided over onily a fair attendance of memhers. The balance skeet disclosed that the total repeipts last year amounted to just over £78, but the expenditure came to £146, and in consequence of this excess of £67, the surplus funds account was reduced to a little over £10. "All expenditure has been closely supervised, and it is only Jack of invome which. prevents us from showing a better result on the' vear's workings," stated the annual report in th.is regard. "This position will undoubtedly continue until such tinie as all members realise their responsibilities and endeavour to enroll as xuany new members .as possible." The report went on to point out that at March 31 last the membership stood at only 58, which was very disappointing. "During the current year a drive has been commenced for 100 associate members who will contribute £1 1/eaTch, instead of the usual nominal

subscription of 2/6 a year," it states. "Now that better times have returned we may hope that those who can give more liberally than in the past may see their way clear to do so." In other countries — notably, U.S.A. —business firms were enrolled as members of the Red Cross as a matter of course, it was pointed out. They realIsed the need for the Red Cross and the excellent work it does, particularly in times of emergency such as the recjent floods, "If business firms in Hastings would adopt the same principle it would be most gratifying," stated the report.

The treasurer, Mr A. C. A. Hyde, said that it was quite evident that if the society were to do all the work that it contemplated doing in the normal course of its year's workings, there tvould have to be a drive for members. He said that as the result of the circular letter sent out for the associate members so far £15 had been received. In addition there was £25 from the Lord Nuifield Fund as set up by the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddison, and a further £5 from Waipukurau. Personai Infiuence. Mr L. A. Dento®. said that it was difficult at the present time to make a publio appeal for th© reason that though the society was doing an immense amount of work and providing a real service to the community, practically the whole of its present activities was of such a nature that it was not readily taken note of. "The best method would be 'for members themselves to use their personai infiuence with those they come in contact with and endeavour to Bolicit their help, either as members, or by way of other assistance," he said. The need for some tangible and prominent evidence of the service being rendered by the' society in the community was admitted by others present, and after a brief discussion it was left to the incoming corumittee to investigate various suggestions that were put forward. In the meantime an appeal Was made to all members to endeavour to enroll additional members and seek to interest as many people as possible in the society.

Eiection of Officers, The eiection of officers resulted as follows: — Patroness, Mrs T. H. Lowry ; president, Mr G. A. Maddison; chairman of executive, Mr W. Selwyn Averill; honorary secretary, Mr L. T. Roberts; honorary treasurer, Mr A. O. A. Hyde ; honorary auditor, Mr R. D. Brown; executive, Mesdames J B. Pickering, T. Hill, F. J. Hull, R. Cashmore, W. McKenzie, Selwyn Chambers, H. B. Knight, J. Richmond, Miss H. Ford, Messrs T. Pickett, C. Griffiths, H. E. Toulmin, W. B. Hobbs, Melville Bell, A. J. Manson, L. A. Denton, A. Foddy, and H. J. Grieves. The question of qualified Red Cross girls assisting mothers in poor circumstances in caring for children in the homes and performing household duties so as to relieve mothers who had recently undergone confinements of a good deal of the household cares and worries, was discussed, and it was decided that the ' incoming executive make inquiries as to whether there was a genuine need for such a, service. The inquiries are to be made of the district and Plunket nurses and a report is to be presented. A suggestion was made by Mrs T. H. Lowry that the society sliould make provision for the supply of clothing for children attending the health camps and also for crippled children in need of such assistance. It was decided to also make inquiries into this matter, which was referred to the executive for consideration. The holding of a ball this year was favoured and tlie recommendation was that it be held late in July. ^ Tho Annual Report "Since discontinuance of the relief work formerly performed by the society, our activities have more or less concentrated upon the organisation of first-aid and home nursing classes under the instruction of Sister Norman, of Napier," stated the annual report. "During the past year, Sister Norman has held a class of 33 young ladies on Tuesday evenings in the Red Cross rooms, a class of 32 girls at the High School and also a small number of Girl Guides. The standard of work has been yerv satisfactory, considerinc the

lack of equipment, while the examinations conducted by Boctors Reeve and Comrie and Sister Coulston have shown that excellent results are being obtained. . Two teams entered for the Lady McLean Shield contest in Napier, Hastings being placed fourth and fifth ro spectively. Lack of experience prevented the teams from gaining a higher position and the same remarks apply to the entering of a team for the Collins Cup competition. However, it is to be hoped that better results will be obtained this year when the contests are held in Waipukurau and Palmerston Noifch. Record Classes

"It should be added that the classes started during the current year show signs of exceeding jn numbers all previons years. The adult class numbers 49, the High School has 43,. while a nek class has been commenced at St. Joseph's Convent with a roll of 37 girls. It is felt that there is more than a possibilify of . such classes as are or may b© conducted at the schools and colleges of Havelock North later being induced to enter teams for the various contests and encourage entrants for the society's examinations. "Efforts to re-establish the^" junior Red Cross circles have not met with much success, but following Sister Stringer's excellent address earlier in the present year, efforts were commenced with a view' once more to establish at least the Junior Red Cross Oircle at the High School. Sister Stringer is doing wonderful work financed by the Rr Collins Trust and it is hoped that with the co-operation of the Education Department now under negotiation, considerably better results may be obtained locally. "Preliminary arrangements have been made with the local branch of St John's division so as to eliminate the oyerlapping that has previously occurred in regard to the home nnrsing and first-aid classes. It is hoped that as a result of the new scheme, the training of girls and young women .will be the sole charge of the Red Cross Society in the meantime, while the St. Johji Ambulance division wilj concentrate upon the training of men only. "It is with regret that we record the resignatjon of Mr Grainger from' the office of secretary, which he held for three years. Mr Grainger resigned in order to leave for an extended trip abroad, and the vac£incy was filled by the appointment of Mr L. T. Roberts. I would like to tak© this opportunity of extending to him a welcome to the offiae on yo-ur behalf. "The thanks of the society are due to those members of the general public who have from time to time assisted the society financially and otherwise ; to Sister Norman for her excellent work with tlie first-aid and home nnrsing classes; to Doctors Comrie and Reeve, also Sister Coulson, for Iectures and examination of pupils ; to all officers of the society; to the Press for their assistance jn furthering the aims and work of the society; and to all members who have assisted the society in furthering the aims and objects of same."