Obituary DR. T. R. PLUNKETT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29017, 5 October 1959, Page 12

Obituary DR. T. R. PLUNKETT

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 4. Dr. T. A. Plunkett, one of New Zealand’s most distinguished obstetricians and gynaecologists, died in Auckland last night, aged 54.

He qualified at the University of Otago and was later appointed house surgeon at Timaru Hospital. From there he took up practice at Papatoetoe in 1940. Dr. Plunkett became the first qualified obstetrician and gynaecologist to the Auckland Hospital Board’s institutions. He was largely responsible for the establishment of the obstetrics and gynaecology unit at Auckland Hospital, and as it now exists at the National Women’s Hospital. He was senior obstetrician and gynaecologist for the Auckland Hospital Board for a number of years. He was chairman of the New Zealand O. and G. Society and a fellow of the Royal Col’lege of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and served on the New Zealand regional council of that college.

Dr. Plunkett was prominent in establishing the post-gradua f e unit at the National Women’s Hospital and in both undergraduate and post-graduate training. He was external examiner for the University of New Zealand in obstetrics and gynaecology. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

MR W. J. L. COUGHLAN

(New Zealand Press Association) TIMARU, October 4. A man who, in his heyday was described as one of the two best wrestling referees in Australia and New Zealand, died in Timaru on Friday. He was Mr William James Lawton Coughlan who was 71. A foundation and life member of the Otago Wrestling Association, Mr Coughlan was mainly responsible for the introduction of the sport in the South Island He was president of the Otago association for five years, and served one term as president of the New Zealand Association in 1939-40. Mr Coughlan was for 16 years a steward of the Forbury Park Trotting Club, and a foundation member and triple champion of the Taieri Golf Club. When serving with the New Zealand Army in England during World War I he trained the New Zealand tug-’o-war team which won the inter-services championship at Stamford Bridge.