PLUNKET ACTIVITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 June 1943, Page 3

PLUNKET ACTIVITY

MASTERTON BRANCH’S WORK ANNUAL REPORT. PROGRESS WELL MAINTAINED. The progress of Plunket work in Masterton and district has been well maintained during the past year, states the annual report of the Masterton branch of the Plunket Society, to be presented at the annual meeting on June 30. The report states, inter alia:

Thanks to the District Oil Fuel Controller (Mr Simpson), the visits of the nurses had been regular, excepting during the earthquake period, when the roads were damaged. Special visits were paid in town to all mothers after the earthquake, with offers of help, but, in spite of the damage to homes, no cases of illness were reported. Dr Mulholland, School Medical Officer, continues her visits on the first Tuesday of the month. Tuesday afternoon in each week is reserved for the pre-school child, which allows more time to be devoted to the individual child, and mothers realise the benefit of this arrangement. If the advice given is followed, there should be a definite improvement in the general condition of the pre-school child. Four lectures have been given by Nurse Cocker at the Plunket Rooms in the evening to the V.A.D.’s on Mothercraft, etc., also four to the Ist Masterton Girls’ Life Brigade, followed by an examination. SERVICES OF WORKERS. The committee records its appreciation of the valuable services given by the executive and members of the council to ensure the health and comfort of the mothers and babies in these very difficult times. At the request of the Karitane Hospital Committee mow at Featherston) the president (Mrs J. Caselberg) was appointed a member of the house committee, and attended four meetings. Owing to transport difficulties, regular attendance has not been continued. The annual appeal, held in February, was again most successful, and is a definite tribute to the excellent work and teaching given by Nurse Cocker and Nurse Humphries, not forgetting the committee and the many willing collectors, who devoted time and energy to ensure such a satisfactory result. FINANCIAL POSITION GOOD. The hon auditor, Mr Owen Jones, | reports as follows: “The financial position of the branch is very satisfactory, and reflects great credit on the execuI five officers and committee for the careful management of the expenditure; also to the band of voluntary helpers, who made such a wonderful success of the house-to-house appeal. Receipts exceeded expenditure by £134 14s 4d, against £9O 2s 6d last year.” It is difficult to over-estimate the value of the work undertaken by Mr Owen Jones on behalf of the branch. Again the committee express to him deep appreciation. Sincere thanks are given to Mrs S. L. P. Free, hon secretary, and to Mrs N. M. Irwin, hon treasurer, for their continued valued services.

Gifts of all kinds have been gratefully received during the year. Mrs C. A. Cameron generously continues to supply beautifully knitted infants’ jackets. Special thanks are recorded to the Mayor and to the Borough Council, Trust Lands Trust, Macarthy Trust for grants, and to one and all who have shown such a practical interest in the branch.

The report is signed by the president, Mrs J. Caselberg.