PLUNKET SOCIETY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 534, 11 December 1928, Page 4

PLUNKET SOCIETY

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Te Awamutu branch of the Plunket Society was held recently, Mrs. A\ r . 11. Mandeno presiding over a fair attendance of members. A circular was received from the central council emphasising the stress laid at the recent general conference on the necessity for members of committees adhering loyally to the basic principle of the society that the services of the nurse shall be free to all. Voluntary contributions toward Tuning expenses from parents who benefit are welcomed, but to make a compulsory charge is entirely against the rules of the society. Committee members were agreed that the monthly contents of the donation box at the rooms proved that local parents show a grateful appreciation of the assistance they receive. Branches of the society are dependent upon public support for practically two-thirds of the yearly income necessary to cary on the good work, but once parents realise this fact they are in nearly every case glad to do what they can to help. The circular also dealt with the alterations (to come into force on September 1, 1929) in the period of training for karitane nurses, and the training fee for the course. The period is to be increased from one year to one year and four months, and the fee from £25 to £35. Advertising in the newspapers for engagements by* karitane nurses was deprecated. Accompanying the circular was a set of rules for karitane nurses and mothers employing them. Mrs. Mandeno extended a welcome to the new treasurer, Mr. F. A\ r . Bevin, who presented the financial statement for the month, which showed the branch’s affairs to be in a very satisfactory state. Nurses’ reports for the month of November showed 21 new cases; nurse’s visits to the homes, 53; adult visits to rooms, 122; babies, 107; older children, 30; total visits, 312, with 11 visits to out stations. Accounts for the month amounting to £4l 3s 3d were passed for payment. The box donations for the month reached the gratifying total of £1 12s sd. The date of the next committee meeting was fixed for February 4, 1929.