CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1943, Page 2

CRIPPLED CHILDREN

WAIRARAPA SOCIETY’S WORK ANNUAL MEETING. INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP WANTED. A warm tribute to the splendid work carried out by the executive 'officers with the whole hearted co-operation of interested sections of the community was paid by the chairman, Mr E. M. Hodder, at the annual meeting of the Wairarapa branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children’s Society held in Masterton yesterday afternoon. In moving the adoption of the annual report, Mr Hodder said the report'! hardly did justice to the large amount ’ of detail and work . that was got through. They were inclined to take for granted the goodwill of many friends, the long hours and the detail work put in by the Welfare Officer, Mrs S. N. Kilgour, and the secretary, Mr H. A. R. Dunderdale. It was desirable to draw the public’s attention to the fact that many people in the community were prepared to give generously of their time and efforts. Under the Social Security scheme adequate treatment could be given to crippled children free of expense but the society was not absolved from carrying out the multitude of arrangements necessary in order that treatment could be given, Without the co-opera-tion of the Wairarapa Hospital Board a lot of the specialist treatment given to cases would not be possible. Some cases involved an expenditure of £lOO which it was not possible for- the society to bear. The hospital board shared the expense and where possible the child’s relatives assisted. All relevant factors were taken into account before the funds were spent. The society’s aim was to spread the funds as evenly as possible over the community. An enormous amount of secretarial work was involved. The society was indebted to the “TimesAge” for the free use of its car. CASES UNDER NOTICE. ■ The number of cases under the society’s notice was 131 and it was interesting to know that of 20 new cases, 11 were under the age of one year, said Mr Hodder. It was the aim of the society to get hold of the cases as early as possible in life. There was room for a big increase in membership. Mrs A. Clark, of the Lower Valley, had offered her services in organising a membership drive in her district and i her offer had been accepted. Mr Hodder expressed the society’s grateful thanks to the orthopaedic specialists, to the medical superintendent of the Masterton Hospital, Dr. T. L. Parr, and to all the doctors in the district for their services. The society had yet to receive an account for their services. Mr Hodder said it was largely clue to Mrs Kilgour’s work that the society was in the position it was today. ‘She did the lion’s share of the work and the community was indebted to her for the keen interest she took and the very able manner in which she handled the cases. Mr Hodder also thanked Mr Dunderdale and his staff for their sterling services. CHILDREN RESTORED. Mr R. C. Drummond said the society had experienced a most successful year. As proof of that in a number of cases children who were incapacitated had been restored to activity.- The ■ society was indebted to the community for its assistance. Assistance had never been refused. They were fortunate in having a driving force like Mr Hodder as chairman. Mrs Kilgour and the administrative staff had given wonderful service. Mr L. Robinosn, as a member of the executive of several years, said the society had been groping in the dark before Mrs Kilgour took up her work as welfare officer. Mr S. L. P. Free was elected president. Mr Hodder said he was a tower of strength to the society. Although he was absent from the meeting through indisposition he was keenly interested in the affairs of the society. Referring to the new year’s activities Mr Hodder said it might not be possible to get cases treated as in the past. There was a terrific demand for the services of the specialists through war and other demands. OFFICERS ELECTED. The election of officers, resulted:— President, Mr S. L. P. Free; vice-presi-dents, Messrs R. C. Drummond, E. M. Hodder, T. Jordan (Mayor of Masterton), J. W. Card (Mayor of Feather-' ston), C. R. Holmes (Mayor of Martinborough), A. W. Horton (Mayor of Greytown), W. Olsen (Mayor of Eketahuna), S. K. Siddells (Mayor of Pahiatua), D. L. Taverner, Mayor of Carterton). A. E. Reid (chairman of Wairarapa South County), E. W. Cheetham (chairman of Mauriceville County), J. B. Carruthers .chairman of Eketahuna County), A. W. Bissett( chairman of Pahiatua County), A. B. Martin (chairman of Featherston County), S. Schofield (chairman of Castlepoint County), C. P. Hunter (chairman of Akitio County), G. R. Lee (chairman of Masterton County), H. H. Mawley (chairman of Wairarapa Hospital Board), A. C. Pearce (chairman of Wairarapa El ectric Power Board), and P. Davies (chairman of Tararua Electric Power Board); general committee, Messrs R. C. Drummond, W. A. Michael, F. L. Price, L. Robinson, E. R. Rogers, F. J. Gair, N. Lee, F. E. Wells, G. G. Hancox, S. E. Burridge, P. F. Fagan; Mesdames J. Caselberg, Arch Clarke, J. W. Perry, H. E. Pither, S. L. P. Free, T. W. Wardell; Misses K. Kerins and E. V. Cocker; executive committee, Messrs ! E. M. Hodder, S. L. P. Free, R. C. Drummond, L. Robinson; Mrs H. Ez Pither; Misses K. I. Craig and E. V. Cocker; auditor, Mr D. B. Curry, A.P.A., N.Z.