PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1922, Page 6

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

V NEW PLYMOUTH BRANCH. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth branch of the Plunket Society was held yesterday afternoon, the president (Mrs. W. C. Weston) occupying the chair. The report of the committee presented by the secretary (Mrs. Stuart Russell) recorded a moat successful year’s work and congratulated members on the growth and extending influences of the work they had in hand. Reference was made to the fact that owing the work in the district the services of an extra nurse had been secured, Nurse Castle having commenced duties in June, thus relieving Nurse Petersen. The two nurses had worked together splendidly. Branches had been opened at Waitara, Inglewood and Okato, although the last-named had been closed again. The nurse’s annual report showed there had been a large increase in the number of breast-fed babies, and as this was the chief plank of the society’s work the record was very satisfactory. It was gratifying to the committee to find that the society’s rooms continued to be a source of comfort to mothers from the country with their babies. There had been a big increase in the number of mothers who had sought the advice of the nurses. MORE MEMBERS WANTED. Referring to the work during the year the report mentioned the institution of a small rest room for mothers at the winter show and an attractive stall for the sale of the society’s literature and patterns was also arranged. During the year visits had been received from Lady Jellicoe, Dr. Truby King, C.M.G., and Miss Patrick, director of Plunket nursing for the Dominion. With reference to the financial side it was stated that though expenses had increased considerably the society was still in a good position. Thanks were due to the people who had made baby day such a great success, the total proceeds being £529 18s 3d.

The treasurer's report showed a balance of £598 6s, but the committee felt that it was time to urge all mothers to become subscribing members. The minimum fee was 5/-, and if sufficient members could be obtained it would be possible for the society to meet all its liabilities without an annual effort, which entailed a great deal of work. The committee expressed their thanks io the Borough Council for the free use of the trams for the nurses; to friends who had sent donations and subscriptions; to the auditor (Mr. J. S. S. Medley); to Mr. Butcher, for painting the Plunket car; to the advisory board, and to the Press. There was still much to be done, and the hope was expressed that the incoming officers and committee would meet . with the hearty co-opera-tion of the citizens in furthering the movement. WORK OF THE NURSES. Nurse Petersen’s report started that the number of babies, on the list was 207, compared with 20 in the previous year, while the number of new .babies recorded on the list was 122. The number of babies dealt with was 311, while 2786 adults and 2269 babies had visited the rooms. Sixty-seven mothers were shown the methods of preparing milk. Visitors for advice numbered 716. Visits to houses were 2496 (old) and 684 (new). The receipts and payments account showed tliat the receipts were £1216 10s, including cash on hand at April 1. 1921, £306 14s 3d; subscriptions £73 9s 3d; proceeds of baby day, etc., £554 4s 8d; grants from Government £163 10s lOd. Payments included nurses’ salaries £3BO 13s 4d, nurses’ travelling expenses £lO3 4s 2d, rent, etc., £B9 2s 2d, baby day expenses £55, purchase of sugar of milk £36 8s 3d. The cash in hand was shown at £469 2s. The half-yearly subsidy of £125 received from the Government on April 19 and £4 4s from Okato for nurses’ services brought this total to £598 6s. Assets were set down at £659 2s, and there were no liabilities.

The adoption of the report and bal-ance-sheet was moved by the president

and carried. In the course of her remarks, Mrs. Weston expressed her thanks to the nurses and to the committee for their co-operation. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Patrons, the Mayoress and Mrs. Newton King; president, Mrs. G. Home; vice-president, Mrs. W. Am'bury; treasurer and secretary, Mrs. Stocker; committee, Mesdames W. C. Weston, D. Brown, Blackley, Cock, Jenkin, H. Russell, T. 'Shaw, Valentine, Wade, Hay, Stuart Russell, H. Fraser, Horne and Roebuck. GENERAL. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mrs. Stuart Russell who is retiring from the position of secretary, and Mrs. Weston, the out-going president. In reply to the proposal that a bonus of £lO should be given to the retiring secretary, Mrs. Russell thanked the members and said she would be pleased to return the amount to the funds of the society, as all her work had been in the interests of child welfare. It was decided that in future an honorarium of £25 be paid to the secretary and treasurer, an amendment moved by Mrs. Stuart Russell that the society advertise for an honorary secretary lapsing for want of a seconder.