RED CROSS SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1941, Page 2

RED CROSS SOCIETY

COUNTRY DISTRICTS BRANCH MEETING & SOCIAL GATHERING. INTERESTING REPORT ON ACTIVITIES. A largely attended general meeting and social gathering was held yesterday by the County Districts Red Cross Society at the Country Women’s Club, Masterton. On display were garments ready for packing overseas and also a collection of garments and rugs for prisoners' of war parcels. The Christmas present and produce stalls did very good business, raising £9 5s for general funds.

The president, Mrs A. C. Gawith, gave her’ half-yearly report. “Our biggest effort probably was the shop day in September from which £2OO was added to our funds,” she stated. “A bridge party was also held in September. Twelve cases of clothing for overseas, comprising 784 garments, were forwarded to the headquarters and we are indebted to Mr J. Russell and to the woodwork class at the Wairarapa College for making regulation cases. We are grateful also to the Wairarapa College for making up eight pairs of carders for our spinning circle and to Mr J. Lyttle for renovating a spinning wheel. Our knitters have been busy. Amongst the many garments knitted are 13 waistcoats, four sleeveless pullovers, 10 pullovers with sleeves, three cardigans, a large number of balaclavas scarves, mittens, gloves and socks. We have also made four warm dressing gowns and six pairs of pyjamas, and 125 bottle covers for headquarters. A 601 b tin of honey was sent to a hospital ship. Now we have the Anzac Hospital to work for and 12 pairs of pyjamas were donated; 13 ditty bags, 13 sponge bags and 13 face cloths; 61 screen covers were made up. We are taking our turn with the other Wairarapa sub-centres in sending hampers to the Anzac Hospital and have forwarded two already as well as a supply of magazines. Book and magazines have already been sent to Trentham Camp. For delivery of these goods and hampers free of charge we wish to thank Mr E. Jenkins, the Aard Motors. In August we commenced providing evening meals (each Wednesday) for returned soldiers at the Masterton Hospital and we are grateful to Mrs Brisco for having taken charge of this activity up till now. Mrs Donald McKenzie has kindly taken it over. One returned soldier from Gladstone was provided with a pullover, a pair of pyjamas and a pair of slippers while in the hospital. The sum of £lO had been handed to the matron of the hospital to be used for country districts returned soldiers for luxuries other than clothing. Ten pounds was spent on khaki wool to be made up into pullovers, socks, etc., for prisoners of war parcels. We are also working on Peggy square quilts for the same purpose, as ] grey blankets are in short supply. Each 1 nurse from Masterton who is serving with the Forces has been sent a pair of white silk stockings and Christmas parcels of tinned fruit. Twentynine pounds sixteen shillings was sent to the Registered Nurses’ Memorial Fund for Sister Matthew’s Fund. This made up the £5O sent from the Wairarapa. Besides clothing forwarded -overseas, 34 garments have been given to relieve local distress and £4 from the McCarthy Trust has been spent on clothing for local families through the Child Welfare Association. Mrs W. James has done splendid work in training girls for our V.A.D’s. She has taken a weekly class since September of last year. In the second class Home Nursing examination, so far 9 girls have passed, 18 in first aid, and 12 in hygiene. Those 12 girls who passed in hygiene were listed as St. John trainees. Seventy pounds has been spent on V.A.D. equipment. Fortynine pounds of that went on uniforms, but £29 has been refunded. Mesdames W. Taylor, DeCastro and L. Nicol deserve special thanks. Not only have they been at work here each Red Cross work-day, but have been working days beforehand preparing for work days. We were very sorry to loose our secretary, Miss A. Daily, but congratulate her and wish her every success in her new sphere. We are grateful to Miss Rutherford for taking her place and to Miss Ruby for acting as treasurer. We also wish to thank cur many workers in the country districts who continually send in beautifully made clothing, etc., Tinui, Mataikona, Opaki, Kopuaranga and Wangaehu, Windsor House and Brickman’s Beauty Parlour for knitting and the many individual workers. We have been supplied with a generous number of fleeces so hope our spinners will work hard and use it up. I cannot say enough for all those who come here and work and we could not do without them. I want to pass a special vote of thanks to Mrs Ken Groves, who has taken charge of our catering arrangements. Our levy to headquarters is £24 17s 6d, and for emergency distress is £8 16s 6d. Our thanks are due to the committee and all those who have helped us.” Mrs Donald James, on behalf of the members, presented Mrs Gawith with a posy or roses and expressed her thanks for the wonderful work she had done for the sub-centre.

Mrs Stewart, District Commandant, presented the certificates to the V.A.D. trainees and announced that those who passed in the recent examination were: Annie Budd, Mary Cooper, Constance Evans, Mary James, Flora Jarrett Monica Welch, Eileen McKenzie, and’ Yolande Ruby. All Red Cross Society’s V.A.D’s. are requested to be at the Country Women’s Club at 2.0 p.m. next Wednesday.