Lady Cobham’s Interest In The Dependent Aged

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28435, 15 November 1957, Page 2

Lady Cobham’s Interest In The Dependent Aged

Patients of the Wesley Hospital for the aged were honoured by a I second Vice-Regal visit this week when Lady Cobham was shown through the new building yesterday morning. Her Excellency had a cheery word for all the patients and later talked to every resident of Wesley Lodge Eventide Home on the same site as the hospital. The hospital, which is conducted by the Methodist Central Mission on its property in Park terrace as part of its project for caring for the dependent aged, was officially opened on Sunday by the Governor-General (Vis-: ■count Cobham). Lady Cobham, however, was unable to attend the opening ceremony and made her visit yesterday before going to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show at Addington. Official Party Lady Cobham, who was attended by her lady-in-waiting. Miss Jennifer Parker, was met at

the hospital entrance by Mr A. A. Dingwall, convenor of the mission’s Wesley Lodge and Hospital committee: the sister-in-charge of the hospital (Miss I. E. Macadam); and the Rev. W. A. Chambers, who was deputising for the superintendant of the mission ‘the Rev. W. E. Falkingham). Others in the official party included Sisters G. Larkin and E. M. Cornish of the hospital staff. Mesdames W. A. Chambers. W. E. Falkingham. R. A. Marsh, a member of the hospital committee. M. W. Corr, secretary of the mission, and Sister Doreen of the mission staff

After morning tea which was served in the hospital, lounge overlooking the beautiful grounds of lhe hospital and eventide home. Lady Cobham was presented with a book entitled “Science in New Zealand” as a memento of her visit, by Sister Larkin. From the hospital Her Excel-, lency was taken to the eventide home, where she was met by the matron (Miss E. Borrows). Each resident of the home was presented to Lady Cobham by the matron. One elderly resident was too sick to leave her bed. so Lady Cobham visited her in her room. Affection for the Aged While she was at the home Lady Cobham told Miss Borrows of her fondness of old folk and remarked on the attractive arrangement of flowers in all the rooms. Her Excellency said she had been most impressed by the floral arrangements she had seen throughout the Dominion. “You New Zealand women certainly know how to arrange flowers.” she said to Miss Borrows. Both Lady Cobham and Miss Parker signed the visitors’ books in the hospital and the eventide I home. Lady Cobham wore a suit of heather toned tweed, patterned in a light plaid, with a daffodil yellow snood beret. Miss Parker’s jacket suit was of beige boucle flecked with pink. Her unusual off-the-face hat was completely swathed in pink and white spotted georgette, featuring a handkerchief point at the back of the crown.