RED CROSS SOCIETY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 9 August 1937, Page 9

RED CROSS SOCIETY

COLLINS CUP COMPETITION. TROPHY RETAINED BY NAPIER A. Under the auspices of the Palmerston North Sub-Centre of the Red Cross Society, the annual inter-centre and sub-centre competition was held in Palmerston North on Saturday. There were two teams from Napier and one each from Hastings, Wellington, Hawera and Palmerston North present, and proceedings opened with the inspection, for which Miss Flower was the judge. A handsome challenge trophy,' the Collins Cup, was at stake, the present holders being Napier A, who retained it.

The competition was divided into seven sections, with separate judges for each, as follow :— lnspection, Miss Flower; bandaging, Miss Kenning; dressings, Miss Dean; oral questions, Miss Powell: sponging, Miss Cronibie; bed-making,' Miss Lawson; charting, Miss Kelly.

Napier A scored in all 640 marks, and Palmerston North were only five behind.

Following . were the detailed results :

Napier A.—Uniform and deportment, 95; bed-making, 97; bod bathing, 95; oral, S 3; bandaging, 90; dress ings, 100; temperatures and charting, 80; total, 640 points. Palmerston North.—Uniform and deportment, 90; bed-making, 96; bed bathing, 94; oral, 82; bandaging, 95; dressings, 90; temperatures and charting, 88; t total, 635 points. Hawera.—Uniform and deportment, 90; bed-making, 95; bed bathing, 80; oral, 71; bandaging, 95; dressings, 88; temperatures and charting, 90; total, 609 points. Wellington.-—Uniform and deportment, 85; bed-making, 94; bed bathing, 80; oral, 74; bandaging, 85; dressings, 86; temperatures and charting, 66; total, 570 points. Napier B.—‘Uniform and deportment, 85; bed-making, 85; bed bathing, 80; oral, 72; bandaging, 85; dressings, 86; temperatures and charting, 70; total, 563 points. Hastings.—Uniform and deportment, 85; bed-making, 92; bed bathing, 86; oral, 70; bandaging, 85; dressings, 74; temperatures and charting, 60; total, 552 points. The personnel of the teams was as follow:

Napier A.—Misses K. Carroll (captain), A. Dailey (vice-captain), T. White-Parsons, McDonald, Gibson and Jones. In charge, Miss E. King and Mrs Collins.

Napier B.—Misses T. Taylor (cap tain), E. Nicholson (vice-captain), N. McGregor, A. Brown, C. Waddell, Mrs Rossister; emergency, Miss Horsfield. Hastings.—Mesdames L. Roberts (captain), V. Robson (vice-captain), Misses I. Ware, E. Frame, I. Spence and B. Brown; emergency, P. Rae. Wellington.—Misses A. Nicholls (captain), E. Armstrong (adjutant), Mesdames Wray and Lawson, Misses 0. Bell and P. Orr; emergency, Mrs Preston. In charge, Miss Cooper. Hawera.—Misses V. Parsons (captain), F. Best (vice-captain), M. Brogli, V. Westwood, B. Catran, T. Hetet. Miss D. Bryant in charge.

Palmerston North.—Mrs R. L. C. Aitchison (captain), Misses M. Mcßean ( vice-captain), F. Mcßean, Mrs L. Baigent, Misses N. Ryan and D. Purdon ; eemrgency, Mrs Honey. In attendance, Mesdames Mcßean, Wilde and Richardson, PRESENTATION OF CUP.

The presentation of the cup to the Napier A team by the Dominion president (Dr. Alexander Gillies) was made at a special function held in the St. Andrew’s Hall on Saturday evening. Mr A. J. Graham presided, associated with .him on the platform being Dr. Gillies, Mrs I. M. Andrews (Dominion secretary), the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) president of the Palmerston North Sub-Centre, and Mrs Mansford; Mr J. K. Paton, secretary of the Palmerston North Sub-Centre; and Miss King, a member of the Dominion executive. Apologies for absence were received from the Dominion president, Mrs T. H. Lowry, 0.8. E., of Hawke’s Bay, and Mrs F. J. Nathan. In introducing Mr Mansford to the gathering, the chairman voiced his pleasure in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress, wlio were always willing to give their assistance to such institutions as the Red Cross. Not only was the Mayor well-known to Palmerston North for his great interest in the welfare of suffering humanity, but throughout the Dominion offered his keenest sympathy to the lied Cross and allied societies, and at all times was ready to further their objects, Mr Graham said. Mr Mansford eulogised the work which had been clone and was being carried out by the Red Cross Society. In extending a welcome to the visiting teams, ho said the society was fulfilling a social service in the community which was helping to preserve civilisation. This was a democratic age which called for the co-operation of all individuals. What had brought about the present troubles in the world was a. lack of foresight. No better form of democracy could be exercised than that which helped our fellow-men. Congratulating the Napier A team on their auspicious win, Mr Mansforcl referred to the spirit-which permeated those who dedicated themselves to social service. That service might he small, hut the sum total was great. The aim of the people should be to do tneir best for the community. Mr Graham, who also extended a welcome to the visitors, stated that it had been pleasant to be associated with the teams throughout the day. | He also extended a welcome to Mrs Andrews and Miss King, a prominent V.A.D. worker in Hawke’s Bay, who is a member of the Dominion executive. A welcome to Dr. Gillies, chairman at the headquarters in Wellington, in which he stated that Dr. Gillies abounded in good works, was also extended by the chairman. When presenting the cup to the Napier A team, Dr. Gillies said the tronhy had been presented by the late Hon. Dr. W. E. Collins and was one of the focal points of Red Cross work in New Zealand. Its presentation was an important event in the society’s year. The speaker stated that the cup was the symbol of a great ordeal: an ordeal l>y battle, which had been the wav of civilisation for countless centuries. A great deal had been said about tests, their inefficiencies and their shortcomings, but when facility came felicity fled. If the trophy were easv to win it would not be so "reatlv valued. In tendering his congratulations to the Napier A team. Dr. Gillies stated that Wellington had held the cup six times, New Plymouth three Hawera two and Napier twice. Palmerston North had been runnerup on one occasion —the present —only five marks separating the local team from Napier A, who secured 640 marks. He also referred to the brilliant 100 per cent, of marks for dressings secured by the winning team. In losing it was essential to have the spirit of “never say die.” If a team was at the liottim this year it might easilv be that its turn to come top would be next year. Circumstances changed. There might l>e an element of luck in a win. but luck did not give one team 640 marks and another 100 less. Ail teams would, lie thought, admit that the best team had

won the competition, That being so, he sympathised with the losers. Dr. Gillies then presented the cup to the Napier A team, three cheers for whom were given by the other teams. . Miss King stated that she was proud of every girl who entered for the competition, as it needed a great deal oi spirit. Every girl who entered did so with the idea of doing something lor somebody else. The winning team had given up all their spare time so thatthey might win, and, under the circumstances, it was a very meritorious victory. The Red Cross stood for sacrifice and service. A Hawke’s Bay family, destitute at the time of the earthquake, who had been aided by the Mayor of Palmerston North, had given lier a message to him. She had not been able to deliver it, however, owing to his early departure from the function. Miss King concluded with a tribute to the skill of the judges and to their attention to their work. Mr Graham mentioned to Miss King that ho had been Mayor of Palmerston North at the time of the earthquake and that consequently the message had been delivered. The chairman then thanked the peoplo of Palmerston North who had billeted members, those who had catered for afternoon tea, Mesdames -H. Palmer, R. Carruthers, and M. Aitchison, and Miss N. Norman, the entertainers, those who had assisted in the preparation of the room for the competition, other helpers too numerous to mention and a very “healthy looking patient” (Betty Bailey). Greatly appreciated vocal items were presented by Miss I. M. Sutherland, while moR tuneful and well executed instrumental numbers were played by a trio, Mrs R. S. Law (violin) and Misses E. Eyre (pianoforte) and J. Paton (’cello). The members of the trio also rendered solos.

Supper was served by the ladies’ committee.

CHURCH PARADE. Yesterday morning a full-dress parade of members of the Manawatu Red Cross Society and visiting teams was held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Mrs R. L. O. Aitchison, Palmerston North captain, and Miss K. •Carroll, Napier captain, led the parade of V.A.D.’s. In the unavoidable absence of 11-'frs M. Grigor, superintendent, and Mrs Mcßean, the infant division was led by Miss Richardson, assistant commandant, and Mrs Wilde (coach). Among the officials of the Red Cross Society present were Mrs A. E. Mansford (Mayoress), Dr. Alexander Gillies, Wellington (chairman of the Red Cross Saciety), Mrs Andrews (Dominion secretary), Miss King, Miss M. McLagan (V.A.D. director for Palmerston North branch), Miss Cooper, Miss Bryant, Sister Heap (superintendent of the Palmerston North Nursing Division), and Mr J. K. Paton (Palmerston North secretary). Also in attendance were members of the local executive. The president of the Manawatu centre, Mr A. J. Graham, presided at the organ. Before dismissal, Dr. Gillies addressed the assembled teams, urging them to infuse all their enthusiasm into this wonderful organisation. Following the induction of deacons, Rev. J. Hubbard, M.A., 8.D., addressed a special welcome to the members of the Ited Cross Society and delivered an arresting sermon, taking as his text, Ephesians 1, iv. Mr Hubbard pointed opt that any member of the community,, who had undertaken any work of service, whether for the Church or for his fellow men, should realise that he was carrying out his part in a Divine plan which had been formulated ages before; indeed, in the words of St. Paul, “before the foundation of the world.” The speaker showed how God in His wisdom had elected certain individuals to carry out certain works of service, and when one found himself called to such service he should realise that it was because of his special gifts and that he had a sacred duty to use those gifts in the furtherance of God’s purpose. All who were called upon to perform service to the Church or to their fellow men should remember that they were elected by God and should gladly, and to the utmost of their ability, discharge their trust. Through 1 the generosity of Palmerston North citizens who lent cars, the visitors were taken for an enjoyable drive, afternoon tea being later provided. Dr. Gillies and Miss King expressed appreciation for the hospitality received and Mr Paton expressed his thanks to the visitors and to all who had made the conference so successful.