‘IRREPARABLE LOSS”

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 70, 15 December 1928, Page 10

‘IRREPARABLE LOSS”

DR. G. J. BLACKMORE RETIRES GIFTS FROM PAST AND PRESENT PATIENTS Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, December 14. To Honour Dr. G. J. Blackmore, who has been medical director of the Cashmere Sanatoria, for the past 19 years, more than 200 patients, both past and present, of the sanatoria, gathered at the middle sanatoria last evening. The doctor was presented with a cheque for £145 from the former patients, and with another cheque from the staff of the The Mayor of Christchurch (Rev. J. K. Archer) presidM. and with him were Mr. A. T. Smith, chairman of the publie health committee of the North Canterbury Hospital Board: Dr. and Mrs. Blackmore and I heir two daughters: and Dr. I. C. Macintyre. who will succeed Dr. Blackmore. The Mayor and Mr. Smith spoke very highly of Dr. Blackmore’s work. “Dr. Blackmore’s name is a household word throughout New Zealand. When people get consumption they immediately think of Canterbury and Dr. Blackmore. In losing him I am losing the kindest and most considerate chief I have ever had” said Dr. Maclntyre. “About 1910, when Dr. Blackmore came to Christchurch, the city had the highest death-rate for pulmonary tuberculosis in New Zealand. For some years now the death-date in Christchurch had been the lowest in New Zealand.”

Dr. Dobbs, an ex-patient, on behalf of those now in the sanatoria, and those who had passed through it. said tliat Dr. Blackmore’s retirement was an irreparable loss to the whole of New Zealand. He said that in any circumstances whatever. the patients at the sanatoria would be behind the doctor though he had never courted pomilarity nt the expense of discinline. He presented the doctor with a cheque for £145 from the ex-patients, nnd Dr. Maclntyre presented the one for £2O from the staff, inside nnd outside, the fresh air home, the middle sanatorium nnd the Coronation Hospital. Dr. Blackmore, in responding, said he had snent very nearly 20 years of his life with the institution, but he could not have done half his work without his very valuable assistants., from whom he nnrted with regret. He could only hope that thev would always bear their burdens in life with the same fortitude that had characterised —-nv who had courageously faced death under his care.