THE LATE MISS PAYNE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 130, 29 November 1926, Page 2

THE LATE MISS PAYNE

TABLETS TO HER MEMORY.

On Saturday afternoon at the Wellington Hospital a tablet to the memory of Frances K. Payne was unveiled by the chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr. C. M. Luke). The tablet was erected by tho nurses to commemorate the services of Miss Payne, who for over twenty years was connected with the institution as nurse, sister, and matron, and who died in June, 192 . Amongst those present were the members of tlie board, many members of tho medical profession, and a large gathering of the nursing staff. Mr. C. M. Luke, in unveiling the tablet, said that Miss Payne joined the staff of the Hospital in 1890, ultimately, became matron, and resigned that position in 1916 owing to ill-health. She was held in the highest esteem, and devoted ; her unusual ability to this noble . service. Although ' a strict disciplinarian, Miss Payne was kindly of heart, and had been held up as-a great example anil inspiration to the nursing profession throughout the Dominion. Short addresses were also delivered by Dr. Hardwick Smith, Dr. .J. S. Elliott, Dr. D, M. Wilson, and Miss Thurston (matron of tho Waipukurau Hospital). . Speaking with long and intimate knowledge of -Miss Payne and her work, Miss Thurs toil, emphasised the fact of her special talent for organisation. No record of Miss Payne would be complete without reference to her wonderful disciplinary powers, not al. ways perhaps appreciated by probationary nurses, but which nevertheless served its purpose in keeping the hospital in high repute. That disciplinary teaching resulted in strengthening the characters and improving the nursing qualifications of the younger members of the profession under her control. Many nurses and matrons now in other hospitals - admitted, the value and inspiration of her teaching and the splendid example she set' o,f devotion to duty. ;;.;' Miss Thurston urged the members of the nursing profession to strive for higher educational advantages, and so bring nursing qualifications to a university, standard—thus raising nursing in this respect to a level with other professions. ■ The greater and wider .their knowledge the more-extended''would be the usefulness of the nursing. service in the ever widening field, of preventive.medicine, scientific treatment, and'bedside'attention to the sick.

A tablet to the memory of the late Miss Frances K. Payne was dedicated at the evening service at .-St. -Mark _ Church yesterday, by.the Yen. Archdeacon A. M. Johnson, ivho in his address referred to Miss Payne's skill as a nurse, and the high esteem in-which she was held by tho medical, and nursing professions. "■':.-