RED CROSS SOCIETY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 177, 28 June 1937, Page 2

RED CROSS SOCIETY

PALMERSTON NORTH BRANCH. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Red Cross Society was held on Saturday evening, Mr A. J. Graham presiding over a good attendance, including Dr A. Gillies, of Wellington (chairman of the Society for New Zealand) and Mr L. Stein (president of tho Dannevirke sub-branch). Apologies for absence were received from • the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs A. E. Hansford). Interesting reports were presented, indicating that the branch had made good progress during the year. Reporting on the Red Cross classes, Mr G. Gapper stated that the number attending during the year had not been as large as on other occasions mainly duo to unforeseen difficulties. However, the number of classes that were attended and the amount of work covered had been maintained up to the usual standard. As well as the courses in home nursing and first aid, tho V.A.D.’s, under the leadership of Mrs Aitchison and the tuition of the superintendent, Sister Burdett, competed in the Collins Cup competition at Napier, their performance being very creditable; they finished in fourth place. The competition would be held tn Palmerston North this year and the team hoped to improve their position in that competition. The Tucker Cup was competed for for the first time, and the trophy was secured by Miss M. Mcßean’s team. The results of examinations were most satisfactory. Candidates stood for examination in the home nursing division and 19 were successful. In the first aid examination 18 pupils sat and 15 passed. For the first time in the history of the Red Cross 'Society in Palmerston North there were gained four bars to medallions, three in first-aid and one in home nursing. As usual, parades were held on Anzac Day and Coronation Day, and when the picture “The White Angel” was screened selected V.A.D.’s were on parade each evening. The society sustained a serious loss when the superintendent, Sister Burdett, resigned owing to her departure for New Plymouth. The students are greatly indebted to Sister Burdett for the interest she took in their work and in the welfare of the society. The class secretary, Mrs W. N. Huntington, also resigned and to her sinccrest thanks were due. The society had also had the misfortune to lose three lecturers, Miss Kelly, Sister DaJgleish and Sister Burdett. Thanks were extended to these ladies. Thanks were extended to these ladies. Thanks were also due to the new superintendent, Sister Heap, who had kindly offered to carry on_ in Sister Burdett’s place; to Mr J. K. Patou for His valuable assistance; to tho nurses and sister for conducting the examination; to the sewing guild under Mrs Richardson and her helpers for their valuable work.

Mrs L. A. Richardson presented the report of the sewing guild, which stated that owing to the rooms being closed for various reasons there was little to report. During Christmas week a parcel of materials was received from headquarters, the material to be made into garments for the Spanish relief. Ninety-five garments were made. There had been very few calls for clothing, etc., during the year. Donations for £1 Is from the Sunshine Club and £2 per Mr Paton were Gratefully acknowledged. The junior division report was presented by Miss T. Purdom and stated that classes had commenced on March 28, 1930, with 100 members, a further 20 joining during the year. Twenty home nursing lectures were given by Sister Dalgleish, to whom grateful thanks were due, as in addition she invited memters to her hospital for practical training. On June 27, 00 members were presented with their cups and certificates gained during the previous year. On May 11 about 00 members joined with the seniors in a Florence Nightingale service at All Saints’ Church. Thanks were due to the sewing division for all the work they had done for the juniors. In November the annual expetition for the Aknroa Cup presented by Sister Dalgleish. This was the first occasion on which the cup had been competed for, the competition covering oral and practical work, merits and portfolios. The best portfolio or scrap book was to be forwarded to the Junior Red Cross of Japan and the others to the children’s ward at the hospital. The competition was won by a team from College Street School. with Technical School second. Eighty-three sat for the oral and practical examination, all passing, whilst 2G sat for the written, these also being successful. The presentation of certificates and cups took place n November at an afternoon party. On February 27, Sister Stringer, the Junior Red Cross organiser for New Zealand, visited Palmerston North. Owing to the infantile paralysis outbreak a start on the year’s work had not been made till Saturday. Burs to medallions were presented bv Dr Gillies to Miss Norman (first aid bar), Mr G. Gapper (first aid bar), Mrs S. F. Aitchison (bar to first aid medallion, also home nursing medallion, both examinations being passed with honours). The election of officers resulted; President, Mr A. E. Ma.nsford; chairman. Mr A. J- Graham; secretary, Mr J. K. Paton ; vice-presidents, Mesdames M. Aitchison, J- A. Nash, Richardson, H. Palmer, A. E. Mansford, Miss M. McLagan, Messrs B. J. Jacobs. C. Louisson, A. J. Graham, J. A. Nash. J. Murray; executive members, Mesdames R. L. C. Aitchison W. H. Richardson, Carruthers, Wilde, W. G. Black, F. J. Nathan, N. Blackmoro, Misses Crombie and Pegden. Later Mr Graham was re-elected chairman of the executive. Four members of the junior division gave demonstrations of bed-making. The team, which recently won the Akaroa Cup, comprised Melva Niven (captain), Shirley Colsen. J. Drvden and .T. Christmas. Their work was warmly commended by Dr. Gillies. who said the attention to detail really amaz°d him. “You have a wonderful branch in Palmerston North,” he said, “and you have a wonderful leader in Mrs Aitchison.” Public interest in the society was disclosed in the fact that in a recent, canvass Mrs Aitchison had collected £2O in cash and goods to the value of £ls, and many people had not yet been approached. Mrs Aitchison was accorded a vote of thanks.