FAREWELL TO MRS T. N. GIBBS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25207, 11 June 1947, Page 2

FAREWELL TO MRS T. N. GIBBS

GATHERING OF NURSES Many members of the Christchurch branch of the Nurses’ Christian Union gathered last evening to bid farewell to Mrs T. N. Gibbs, who has been actively associated with the union since its inception in the Wellington Public Hospital in 1923. She was a member of the first executive, which was formed in 1924, When Mrs Gibbs came to Christchurch in 1927 she was one of the pioneers in the formation of a branch of the union, and for many years weekly meetings of the branch were held at her home. Last evening a tribute to Mrs Gibbs’s faithful and inspiring service to the union was paid by Mrs B. Gillespie, president of the “scattered nurses group” of the Christchurch branch of the union. The pioneer work in this group, which was a continuation of the hospital nurses’ group, had also been done by Mrs Gibbs, Mrs Gillespie said. “Mrs Gibbs has been a leader, guide, and friend to every one of us,” she said. “There must have been many difficulties in the early days of the union; but if there were, Mrs Gibbs kept them to herself,” Mrs Gillespie added. She also spoke appreciatively of the work done by Mrs Gibbs in the regular visiting of sick nurses. Presentations of gifts and flowers were made to Mrs Gibbs on behalf of the scattered group and the hospital group of the branch, and on behalf of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Registered Nurses’ Association. Presentations of flowers were also made to Miss G. Widdowson, matron of the Christchurch Public Hospital. and to Mrs D. M. Neilson, who has been associated with Mrs Gibbs in her work for the union from the beginning, and who was the union’s first travelling secretary. Mrs Gibbs briefly outlined the devel.opment of the branch, and expressed her best wishes for its future. There were former members of the Christchurch branch in many parts of the world to-day, she said. .During the evening a song was sung by Miss Avis Renner, and the accompanist was Miss Joan Salkeld. Mr and Mrs Gibbs will leave Christchurch sqon to live in Wellington. SANATORIUM COMMITTEE INCREASED ACTIVITY The sum of £364 was spent by the Sanatorium Service Committee during last year on relief for patients and former patients of the Cashmere Sanatorium—more than double the amount spent in the preceding 16 months. This money was used in buying necessary clothing for patients or their dependants, in providing Christmas gifts, fruit, and small comforts for patients, and parcels of foods as Christmas gifts to 30 discharged patients. These particulars were set out in the annual report of the Sanatorium Service Committee presented at the annual meeting held last night at the home of Mrs H. A. Young, Cashmere. Because the committee had received a substantial grant from the Tuberculosis Association, with which it is now incorporated, and because some donations, including one of £32 from the Cashmere Bowling Club, had been received, the committee’s financial position, it was stated, was satisfactory, in spite of the additional expenditure. The committee’s official visitors - Mrs A. Hazleton and Miss M. Enright-re-viewed the work carried out by them during the year, and were accorded a vote of thanks. Miss M. Lance, director of occupational therapy at lhe sanatorium, reported that the number of patients taking part in the wprk had again increased, and that the making of gloves, shippers, toys, leather and felt work was the main activity. One hundred and eighty-six patients had been engaged in occupational work, with a 1 average cf 6b a month. It was decided that the committee should meet quarterly, and Mrs Young offered the use of her home for the meetings. Regret was expressed that the Rev. D. D. Thorpe was unable to seek re-election as chairman. Appreciation was expressed of his work for the patients, and it was decided to write to him wishing him a complete and sneedv recovery from an illness, from which he was now convalescing. Officers were elected as follows: chairman. Canon A. H. Norris: honorary secretary. Mr C. H. Colechin: committee. Mesdames Young. Hazleton. P. Delargey, W. D. Johnston, J. Bradbury. Foster. Misses A. P. Watt. M. Enright. A. Bowker. J. Henry. Sister M. Rountree. Mr and Mrs A. V. Winchester. the Very Rev. Dr. J. Kennedy, the Rev. D. D. Thorpe, the Rev. J. Baird the Rev. A. R. Dr. I. C. Macintyre. Messrs J. W. Hillary, P. P. J. Amodeo. E. H.’ Down, and J. McNae.