RED CROSS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1941, Page 6

RED CROSS

WAIRARAPA CENTRE ANNUAL MEETING LAST NIGHT. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The annual meeting of the Wairarapa Centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society was held in Masterton last night. Mr Norman Lee presided over a good attendance of delegates from the sub-centres. The annual report and balance-sheet was adopted. Miss Tennant, Director of Voluntary Aids of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, spoke briefly. She was accorded a vote of thanks. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr Norman Lee; vice-presi-dents, Messrs D. Pryor (Martinborough) and D. L. Taverner (Carterton); secretary, Miss R. Elliot; treasurer, Miss M. C. Ross; executive committee, Mrs A. C. Gawith and Mr J. Ninnes. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated, inter alia: The membership 'of the centre now stands at 1207, and the Junior Red Cross has 780 members. The number of Voluntary Aids.who have completed their GO hours Of hospital training is 39, and those who have obtained their three certificates, but have not done their hospital training total 61. The number of members in course of training is 288. One hundred and thirty pounds of Wool were, received from the Joint Council, and distributed among the sub-centres. This has been knitted into the cardigans, sleeveless pullovers and waistcoats, as required for the sick and wounded, and forwarded io headquarters. Had twice the quantity of wool been available, it would have been knitted into the requisite garments. Featherston, Mauriceville. Martinborough. Country Dis-' tricts and Greytown sub-centres continue to co-operate with the Lady Galway Guild, in the collecting and renovating of garments. The total number cf garments sent from these subcentres amounted to 4,000 —Greytown leading with 2.481 garments—representing a very good effort for its membershin. Masterton sub-centre concentrated "on sewing for British air raid victims, and 900 garments were sent overseas for this purpose. The grant from the Macarthy Trust amounted to £3s—- — four sub-centres making application for a share of this grant for the relief of local distress. The executive allocated the amount equally tothe Pahiatua, Featherston,’ Carterton and Greytown sub-centres. Masterton sub-centre is at present not engaged on relief work, and the other sub-centres did not require any portion of the grant. The finances of the centre are quite satisfactory. Reports from the various sub-centres indicate that a large number of members are working in the interests cf the sick and wounded, and to' all these, the centre tenders its sincere thanks and hopes that they will continue the good work. The finances of the sub-centres are also satisfactory and endeavours should be made during the ensuing year to build up funds which 'may be required as the work of the Society increases. The Society is indebted to many people for their co-operation, and it is hoped their assistance will be continued in the future. Special thanks are due to the press.

VOLUNTARY AIDS.

ADDRESS BY MISS TENNANT

Miss Tennant, Director of Voluntary Aids of the New Zealand Rod Cross Society, addressed a well attended meeting of those interested in the movement last night at the Country Women’s Club. Miss Tennant stressed the importance of the training of voluntary aids at the present time. Hospitals of ten to twenty beds were being established, staffed by sisters and V.A.D's. at all the military aerodromes. The soldiers' hospitals at Hamner, Rotorua. Wellington and other main centres would also be staffed in that manner. In the last war 16.000 men were killed in action but 1/.000 civilians and soldiers died in the influenza epidemic, said Miss Tennant, in stressing the need of trained nurses. It was hoped to sec all the women of New Zealand prepared for an emergency. Voluntary Aids of the Order of St John were present and gave a demonstration in bandaging. Mr Lee thanked members for their demonstration. He also thanked the Country Women's Sub-centre and the Women's Division for the use of their rooms.

Supper was provided by a committee from the country districts' subcentre.