WOMEN’S WELFARE LEAGUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1939, Page 10

WOMEN’S WELFARE LEAGUE

ANNUAL REPORT. YEAR'S OPERATIONS REVIEWED. The annual report of the Women's National Welfare League, which will be submitted to the annual meeting next Friday, and which is signed by the president (Miss M. A. Kummer) states:—The membership of our League now stands at 80. We are very pleased with the increase in members, and are hopeful of reaching a hundred . members. Our meetings are held on the first Friday in each month, and we are always delighted to welcome new members. The Masterton Hospital has been visited fortnightly throughout the year. Mrs Tolhurst and her helpers have done everything possible to make the visits pleasant for the patients, and have distributed special food for afternoon and proper tea, besides flowers and reading matter, and, during the winter, bed socks and other warm clothing. I am sure all visiting members will join me in our heartiest thanks to the Matron and Nurses for their courteous treatment and kindness. We have farewelled our Matron, Miss Barnitt, and given her our best wishes for the future. At our annual meeting we hope to entertain the new Matron, and she may be kind enough to give us a short address. Deck chairs were presented by the league for the use .of the nurses in the new home, and members of the league were responsible for the decorating of the reception rooms on the occasion of Lady Galway's visit to open the Home. The girls and boys have been given games, etc., and on three occasions crippled children have been taken to pictures and a drive into the country and tea at homes of members. Mrs Whyborn and Miss Brockett have done wonderful work in teaching the children knitting and handcraft. Mrs Munn and Mrs Kilgour have taught the boys how to make miniature gardens. We wish to thank Page’s for receiving parcels, etc., and helping us with provisions; also Miss Butcher for similar help. We deeply appreciate the loyalty of our regular hospital visitors, and tender best thanks to those who.knitted for us. Several visits have been paid to the Buchanan Home, and gifts of woollen comforts, books, tobacco, cakes, biscuits, fruit; sweets and flowers were given. A musical programme has been a special feature of each visit. On Christmas morning a gift was given to each inmate, also a. Christmas cake, sweets and flowers. Two Garment Room. — We had notice from the Borough Council that the room was needed, so Mrs Coleman, Mrs Garland and I sorted the clothes, etc. Some were sent to the hospital, Miss Hodges took some for the Maoris, and I still have a box full at home for those in need. Lighthouses.—Parcels of literature have been forwarded regularly, and letters of appreciation received. Institute for the Blind. —In connection with this work, sales have kept up very well indeed. Takings in 1939 were £127 12s Id, and last year £125 7s Bd. The day at the A. and P. Show was most encouraging. The acting-director and board of trustees wished us to know how deeply they appreciate the efforts of our league, and also the care and attention the blind are receiving in Masterton. Each blind person in Master ton was given a gift, which had to be for their own use, amusement or beneficial help. The money for same was allotted to this district by Lord Nuffield. One new case has been enrolled in Masterton, and all are surprisingly happy; in fact, they are a great example to us. Welfare work. —During the year about 50 distressed cases have been visited by the Social Welfare Committee. Immediate relief was given wherever it was found necessary. Clothing and groceries, meat, milk, bread, fruit and vegetables were supplied. Fuel has also been given. In one instance, assistance was given to a woman from Greymouth. She was stranded in Masterton in a penniless condition, and in very poor health. Arrangements were made for her to go into the Maternity Ward of the Masterton Hospital, and clothing supplied to her and her two children. Recently a young girl was charged in Court with vagrancy and having no means of support. The case was brought to the

notice of the league, with the result that she was placed in their care. Work was found for her in a home where she will be given help ana friendship. We are glad to report that she is giving satisfaction, and is very happy in her new surroundings. This case stresses the need of a Government Welfare Officer in Masterton. The Social Welfare is a very interesting part of our work. Those who receive assistance are most grateful. >Ve extend our hearty thanks to Sergeant Doggett and his staff for their kindly assistance from time to time. Mrs Tolhurst placed a wreath on the Cenotaph on Anzac Day. Several of our members have suffered bereavements. Our deep sympathy is with them. We all miss our faithful co-worker, Miss Reynolds, and hold her memory dear. We appreciated a talk on electrical appliances by Mr Russell, of the Power Board, and an address by Mrs Fletcher on the defence of New Zealand Members of the League went to the Lord Nuffield civic reception and enjoyed it. I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating the heads of the different departments for their organisation, and to thank one and all for their zeal and self sacrifice in the performance of their work. Special thanks are due to Mrs Kilgour, our secretary, Miss Boddington, treasurer, and Mr Norman James, honorary auditor, also the Press for their courtesy to us; the Masterton Printing Company for again printing the Anzac ribbon; Mrs Scharnweber for many beautiful wreaths and bouquets; the A. and P. Association for allowing us space for a tent at the Show; and the members of the Soldiers’ Club for a donation to buy tobacco for the old men at the Buchanan Home. Our thanks are also due to the Rotary Club, Y.M.C.A., Toe H Boys, Boy Scouts, Hospital Board, Plunket Society, St Matthew’s School and Solway College, to Messrs T. Jordan. A. D. Low, H. E. Pither, and numerous friends who have helped us. Just before Christmas, two of our members escorted girls from the Whatman Honie for an afternoon in town. Mrs Jenkins, Midland Garage, kindly conveyed them to town and back to the Home —a kindness which we very much appreciated. I regret to say our treasurer, Miss Boddington, is resigning after eleven years of faithful and ardent service in that position. We hope sincerely that she may be able to take things more easily and that her health may improve.