PLUNKET SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 August 1938, Page 8

PLUNKET SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORT FOR PAST YEAR WIDE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES. MASTERTON BRANCH’S WORK. “It is with profound regret and a deep sense of loss we record the death of our founder and leader, the late Sir Truby King,” states the annual report of the Masterton branch of the Plunket Society. “Although of latter years his health did not permit him to take the same active part in the work of the society, Sir Truby King’s interest never failed, and the very fact that he was with us was an inspiration. It is impossible to realise the magnitude of his labours during the many years of devoted service to the promotion of the health of women and children. May his noble example stimulate all to carry on his ideals, thus enabling the society to immortalise his memory.” “The following motion was passed at the Dominion Council meeting of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children, held in March last:—‘We place on record our devotion to the fundamental ideals of the movement as laid down by the late Sir Truby King. During his long association with the - society, extending over 31 years, the late Sir Truby King gave to us his active guidance, and much research was carried out with the object of perfecting the Plunket system of feeding. It will be the object of the society to continue this research, so that it can at all times be kept abreast of modern developments in this country and abroad. The society is not static, but will continue to develop on. the same broad lines which have marked its history so far. We realise our responsibility to the mothers and babies of New Zealand, and it shall be our constant endeavour to see that the trust imposed in us is not misplaced.’” NEW MEMBERS. The report goes on to refer to the death of Miss Pattrick, former director of Plunket nursing, and to the appeal made to establish a memorial to her, a sum of £2O 13s 6d having been forwarded to Wellington by the branch. After reviewing the business at the last annual meeting and making reference to committee meetings held during the year, the report states: “It is satisfactory to report that 75 new members joined during the year, most of them being young mothers, which is the ideal aimed at by the society. The service is free to all, but if those able to subscribe would do so, the branch would be financial. It must be realised that in the past the support of the society has been from publicspirited citizens, who have not had the services of the Plunket nurses, but who have recognised the benefit of the teaching for the new generation.” Regret is expressed of the death of two most valued members of the committee, Mrs W. H. Jackson and Mr H. M. Peacock. ■ HON AUDITOR’S REPORT. “Mr Owen Jones, hon auditor, states: ‘lncome for the year ended March, 1938, exceeded expenditure by the sum of £42 5s 9d. An analysis of the receipts will disclose that, apart from the (government subsidy, which amounts approximately to 35 per cent of the sum required to carry on the work of the branch from year to year, the balance, namely, 65 per cent of the income is derived from subscriptions, donations, grants and special efforts on the part of the branch. The expenditure shows little variation from year to year, and reflects credit on the executive for very careful control. A sale of badges was held at the close of the financial year, the result being most successful, thanks to the girls who so kindly assisted by selling them in the streets.’ ADVICE OF NURSES.

“Nurse Cocker and Nurse Humphries have the confidence and thanks of the committee for their excellent work,” the report states. “Their untiring efforts to instruct the mothers, if that, instruction is faithfully followed, will do much to improve the new generation. It is ’ regrettable that the parents of the beautiful babies seen at the Plunket Rooms do not always realise the necessity for the continued adherence to the advice given them by the nurses, particularly in reference to diet and rest, as the children grow older.” The report acknowledges the services of the h( n secretary, Mrs S. L. P. Free, the hon treasurer, Mrs N. Irwin, and of the committee. Special thanks are’given to Mrs. J. Reynolds, a lady in her 100th year, who has presented the branch with knitted quilts, and also assisted in making infants’ garments. The pupils of Solway College, St Matthew’s Collegiate School and the Wairarapa College have again shown their kind thought for others by making children’s garments, which’ are distributed almost immediately. OLDER CHILDREN. Attention is directed in the nurses’ report to the society’s work for the older children: “We would like this section of our work to make more progress. A very attractive corner, especially for the toddler, has been fitted up at our rooms, and Tuesday afternoon has been set aside for them, and we do urge mothers to come along and bring their family at least three times a year for weighing, measuring, and for advice regarding feeding and general care. Child nursing talks have again been given during the. year at the Technical School, St Matthew’s School Solway College, and to the Girl Guides and Wairarapa College girls. Each school receives a course of five lectures, and these lectures include the twelve essentials —they are twelve things a ' baby needs for its proper growth and development, whether it is ..well or ill. | The nurses’ report concludes: “We give our president, Mrs J. Caselberg, and all members of her committee, our sincere thanks for their ready assistance, help and consideration received at all times from the'm.’ Thanks are extended to: —The Government for ’subsidies towards the salaries of the nurses; to the executive and officers of the Domiriion Council; to the Macarthy Trust and the Borough Council for grants; to the hon solicitor, Mr T. Jordan, for his help and interest; to Mr Owen Jones for his work and advice in connection with our finance; to the car committee, the advisory board, the A.M.P. Association and the registrar of births; to kindred societies, and to one and all who in any way have assisted during the year.