RED CROSS WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1922, Page 6

RED CROSS WORK.

NEW PLYMOUTH SUB-CENTRE. ANNUAL REPORT OF SOCIETY. At the adjourned annual meeting of the New Plymouth sub-centre of the British Red Cross Society, to be held on Wednesday evening, the following report will be presented: This branch was formed on December 14, 1915, when the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) was elected the first president. He vacated the position in favour of Dr. H. B. Leatham on May 24, 1916, and the latter has held office since that date. Amongst “those elected to office at the first meeting, there still remain actively connected with the society our vice-president, Mrs. E. A. Walker (who to-day tenders her resignation), Mesdames Alexander, Bartley, D’Arcy Robertson and Martin, and Miss Percy Smith. Mrs. Crooke and her daughter removed to Marton, Mrs. James Wilson resigned, and Miss Godfrey is on a visit to England. Mesdames Mathews and Fqpr have left the district, and Mrs. Burgess, 0.8. E., continues her membership. The hon. secretary (Mt. A. B. Gibson) was appointed on January 18, 1916, four days after the first meeting, with Mr. Keith Bell as treasurer. The latter held office until April 18, 1918, when the late Mr. W. L. Newman was appointed, and held office until the date of his death last year. Mr. J. S. S. Medley has acted as hon. auditor from] the inauguration of the society. The executive consists of the president, vicepresidents (2), hon. secretary and Mr. Rockel, and one and all feel that the time has arrived for them to lay down the reins of Office, and to-night you are asked to elect a fresh lot of officers. During the past year we instituted, at the instigation of headquarters, a mem(bership campaign, and as a result have ‘ collected £37 2s 6d from this source, mostly junior Red Cross members. An appeal was made for a wedding gift for Princess Mary, and the sum of £5 was sent away by the joint efforts of this society and St John Ambulance Association. The Rev. Mr. Mullineaux, M.C., visited us and, in conjunction with the R.S.A., we arranged a lecture on soldiers’ graves. The amount of the collection was insufficient to pay the cost of the meeting. The newspapers, with their usual liberality, came to light, and with a generous donation from Mr. Roper, secretary of the R.S.A., we were able to meet our charges. Mr. and Mrs. T. C. List entertained the rev. gentleman at “Maranui.” Any person desiring to help in the establishment of hostels in France and Belgium can reach I the lecturer through this society, and the relatives of deceased soldiers will at all times 'be able to approach us for information re soldiers’ graves, per merium of the Red Cross. The N.Z. president, Dr. Collins, paid us a visit, and at the meeting addressed by him the following resolution was carried: “This meeting favours the co-operation of the work of the Order of St John and the Red Cross Society for the future, and advocates setting up a joint council for New Zealand, as has been done in Great Britain.”

Peace time work: Red Cross certificates will be issued to members passing examinations set from the text books issued by the society, and the question -of service stars, medals, etc., is being looked into. Goods: The last of the goods in hand- when peace was declared have been disposed of, and the sum of £5 appears on the balance-sheet from this source. Red Cross Nursing Scholarships: The authorities were offered £250 to cover tuition and living expenses for an open scholarship at Bedford College for N.Z. trained nurses under 40 years of age. A number of applications went from this district, and a Sister with long war service and military training was selected from Trentham. Transfer erf War Funds: We are now relieved from reporting to the War Fund Department, and have transferred the balance of our funds raised for sick and wounded soldiers to headquarters. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the period from April 1, 1921, to May 20, 1922. gives the following particulars: Receipts: Brought forward from last year £2lO Is 2d, to Peace Time Effort £37 2s 6d, sub. to Princess Mary Fund £3 Ils. interest deposit Savings Bank £2 16s 2d, sale of goods £5; total, £258 10s lOd. Expenditure: By postage, telegrams and general £7, donations (Girls’ Hostel £5, Plunket Society £5, Victoria League £5, Crippled Children £5) £2O, advertising. etc.. £lO 12s 6d, motor hire £2, wreaths £1 10s sd. headquarters £2lO 2s lid, balance (bank and cash in hand) £7 ss; total, £258 10s lOd. Mr. M. T. Galloway of the Red Cross, Wellington (who saw extensive war service) writes that he has been deputed to be present at the meeting.