THE PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5103, 21 March 1927, Page 2

THE PLUNKET SOCIETY.

CONFERENCE OF BRANCHES.

CAR FOR THE NURSE.

A conference' of representatives o’f tire Thames and Hauraki Plains branches of the Blanket Society was held in the Kerepeehi Hall on Friday afternoon, Mrs Miller, president of the Thames branch, presiding over an attendance of 30 ladies.

In opening Mrs Miller explained that the ladies o'f Waitakanrru desired to have a branch farmed in their district, but the nurse would not be able to visit .Waitakaruru unless a motor-car was provided for her use.

Mrs Parfitt detailed the steps taken in Waitakaruru. Of the ladies approached many had promised to take an active interest, and the use of a room as a consulting room had been promised.

The secretary of the Thames explained the financial arrangements i'r a branch was formed at Waitakaruru. The charge for a fcalfday was. £lB and for a full day £25, but if the nurse had a car o'f her own she could do as much in half a day at each centre as was now done in a full day, cm account of the time wasted.

Mrs Miller gave figures concerning the costs and running expenses of various makes, o'f cars.

Mrs Taylor stated that the Kerepeehi branch was- willing to make a special effort to raise its share of the cost of a car.

Mrs Miller explained that the nurse’s regulation hours were from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., whereas, the Plunket nurse now worked from 7 a.m. t,o 7 p.m. on many days in the week. She was afraid that if the nurse was not given some assistance she might resign, and then a difficulty would probably be experienced in securing another officer. The secretary explained that the cost of the car would depend on whether a branch was formed in Waitakarurii or not. There would thus be five districts instead of four, and the cost would be £3B for an English or £3O for a Ford. She would suggest that a central fund be established at Thames to meet maintenance charges. Each branch, incuding Thames, would bear an equal share. This point was discussed at length, and it was agreed that the suggestion was the best solution. The secretary explained the cost if garaging and insurance and the terms if time payment was decided upon. The present Government grant o’f £lO per annum would go to the car account.

A Turua representative pointed out that although the farming community generally was experiencing very hard times there was little doubt that the services of the nurse were of such benefit that when it came to a question of providing a car or doing without the nurse a special effort would be made.

The secretary advocated making an effort to raise funds before deciding what make oif car should be purchased and whether cash or terms would be required. The matter could perhaps be discussed by the branches with their advisory committees. A Turua delegate suggested that a greater proportion of the initial cost be advanced by the Thames branch until such time as the various Plains brandies were able to raise their quotas. A motion to determine whether a car should be provided for the nurse was carried unanimously, as also was a motion asking the Thames branch to advance a larger proportion of the initial expense until such time as the Plains branches raised their quotas.’ The meeting closed with a vot<e of thanks to the ladies of Thames for attending. Afternoon tea was then served by the Kerepeehi ladies, a'fter which the usual silver coin collection was taken and the visitors expressed their thanks to the Kerepeehi ladies.