TESTIMONIAL TO MRS. RHODES

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1072, 10 March 1911, Page 9

TESTIMONIAL TO MRS. RHODES

ON LEAVING FOR ENGLAND. H/^fv 1 ? forming the committee of the District Nursing Guild of St. John: are very reluctantly parting with their president, Mrs. Rhodes, for the nest few' mouths. During her absence from' the Dominion she will be very much missed by those associated with her in "overning the district nursing work. Just previous to the'departure of the Tongariro', Mrs. Rhodes was made.the recipient of a handsome illuminated address prepared by Mr. Bock. It was signed by her Excellency, Lady Islington,. and other officers of the guild. The presentation was made by Mrs. Balcombo Brown, who eulogised the efforts made by Mrs. Rhodes for the welfare of the sick poor, and expressed the hope that Divine Providence would protect her on her journey to England and grant her a safe return to Wellington with her health thoroughly renewed. In returning thanks tor the expression of'goodwill from her confreres, Mrs. Rhodes feelingly referred to the harmonious relations existing between them and expressed a hope that a blessing would always rest on the work. She trusted that those with whom she was associated would sometimes remember her in their prayers while she was away from them.

.Mrs. Luke also made a few brief remarks and presented a basket of the choicest (lowers obtainable in the city. Mrs. Rhodes also received a beautiful bouquet from the district nurses. Following is the text of the address:— St. John Ambulance Association.—District Nursing Guild of St. John. To Mrs. S. A. Rhodes, Lady of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem; President of the District Nursing. Guild of St John, Wellington, New Zealand. ."Dear Madam.—On the eve of voiir departure from 'Wellington to visit tho United Kingdom, the office-bearers of the District Nursing Guild of St. John desire to accord their appreciation of your unremitting efforts on behalf of the District Nursing Endowment Pund, which has placed Wellington in the proud position, of being the first and only citv in the Dominion to provide two district nurses to work among the sick poor for all time. Your name will always be held in .grateful remembrance by those associated with you in directing the beneficent work of district nursing, which has helped to lighten the calamities of many who have been subject to need, sickness, and..distress.. We recognise you as one of the splendid band of women who have been inspired by natural benevolence to mitigate human suffering. It was a woman disciple of St. Jerome who founded the first hospital in Rome. Moreover, the Ladies of the Ordor nf St. John of Jerusalem have for hundreds of years been actively engaged in hospitaller work, conspicuous among whom was St. TJbaldesca, whose zeal in this direction was almost unrivalled. We trust that you will be benefited by your visit to Great Britain, and return to New Zealand with renewed health to co-operate in the nims of our organisation, pro utilitatc. I hominnm.

"(Signed.) Anne Islington. patroness;F. Fialcombo-Brown, vice-president; .Tp«io J[oorliouse. vice-president: S. T>. Tripp, member of committee; Knthorinn Preston, member of committee; Jacobiua Luke, member of committee; Patty jr. Corrigan, member of committee; jr. F.. Pobieson, member of committee; Stella H. Fisher, hon. secretary."