PLUNKET WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1940, Page 6

PLUNKET WORK

ACTIVITIES OF MASTERTON BRANCH HOPE OF THE FUTURE. IN CHILDREN OF TODAY. “Once again it is satisfactory to note an increase in town and country of the number of babies coming under the nurses’ supervision,” states the annual report of the Masterton branch of the Plunket Society. “Today more than ever nothing must be left undone to disseminate knowledge in the best methods of Motherhood and food values. by which teaching it is hoped to improve the health of the new generation,” the report proceeds. After referring to the business dealt with at the last annual meeting of the society the report records deep regret at the death of Mrs W, J. Martin, one of the pioneer Plunket workers in the Wairarapa and refers to the activities of the branch in the district. A visit was paid during the year by the Dominion president, Mrs James Begg, delegates attended the Provincial Conference and mothers were entertained at a social evening. A house to house collection realised £215 12s, • to which subscriptions from new and old members brought the total to £232. The hon auditor, Mr Owen Jones, states that the finances of the branch are very satisfactory and the position reflects credit on the executive in keeping a careful watch on the expenditure in relation to income. The income for the year exceeded expenditure by £44 2s 7d. Thanks are expressed to Mrs S. L. P. Free (hon secretary), Mrs J. D. O'Connor (hon treasurer), the committee, and Nurses Cocker and Humphries. Parents, the report states, can show their gratitude by being loyal and following their teaching. Reference is made to the display in the Centennial procession, to the donation of infants’ clothing by the pupils of St Matthew’s School and Solway College and to other workers who help to keep up the supply of clothing for necessitous cases. Thanks are given to the Government, for subsidies towards the salaries of the Nurses; the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, who never fails, to give advice and help to any request for the benefit of the work of the Plunket Society; the Macarlhy Trust; the Trust Lands Trust; Borough Council; Hospital Board, and the Registrar of Births; the hon auditor, Mr Owen Jones, for all his work in connection with the finance of the Branch; Mr Neal. Irwin, convenor of the car committee, for his great interest and active assistance; the Advisory Board and the A. and P. Association; the “Wairarapa Times-Age” for extensive publicity in all that concerns the progress of the branch: Messrs T. Borthwick and Sons; Hugo and Shearer; Page’s, and W.F.C.A. for their generous help; and. finally, to all who have assisted and may not have been mentioned in the report. The report concludes with the words I of the Dominion President, which, it I states, will be the keynote for the continuance of the work of the branch; f “Not to relax the efforts for the society ) because of other patriotic efforts. In a distracted world the hope of the future lies in the children, and the work of the society is doubly important in view of the wastage of human life, caused by war.”

The report is signed by the president Mrs J. Casclberg.