DIRECTOR OF NURSING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 75, 30 March 1931, Page 13

DIRECTOR OF NURSING

MISS BICKNELL' RETIRES

A cordial party assembled at the Pioneer Club on Saturday evening to do honour to Miss Bicknell, who is retiring from the position of Director of the Nursing Servico of New Zealand. The reception rooms were crowded with guests, including leading citizens, representatives of the Public Health Department, the medical profession, and many nurses and matrons of hospitals. Beautiful flowers decorated tlie rooms, and later a delicious supper was served. Miss Kohn, who received the guests, wore black lace, with a large pink posy, the guest of honour being in black chiffon with touches of cream colour.

Mr. M. Luckie, on behalf of the Mayor of Wellington (who was unable to be present) spoke of the many good qualities of Miss Bicknell, and congratulated her on the fyigh position she had attained in her profession. She had been for 25 years in the Government service, and was retiring on well-earned superannuation. During her time of office as director she had instituted the post-graduate course for nurses which had been of great value as a "refresher," and had taken special interest in the development and improvement of maternity nursing. She had made many friends, who would miss her in her work, and she might be well assured that her good works would live after her.

Mr. CM. Luke spoke as having been for many years chairman of the Hospital Board, and remarked that he had been, called the "Father of the Nursing Service"—which was a big order! He referred to the fine work accomplished by Miss Bicknell, who, he was proud to say, was the first New Zealand nurse to be placed in such a high position. He felt that the New Zealand trained nurses had earned a wonderful place for themselves in the estimation of tlie world, especially when they went to the war. Other good work, for which Miss Bicknell was largely responsible, was in the establishment of the: superannuation for nurses. He extended good wishes to Miss Bicknell for a long and happy retirement.

Miss Kohn referred briefly to the more private side of the work of the guost of honour, to her kindness and readiness to give helpful advice to those who went to her. As Miss Bicknell had expressed a wish that there should be no presentations, they had resolved to "say it with flowers," and the presentations of these would be by nurses representing the hospitals from all over the Dominion.

Then followed a very charming little ceremony of the presentation of bouquets, sheaves, and ehaplets of flowers to the guest of honour, who, when her arms were full, had the romainder heaped np on a table in front of her. Miss Bieknellj in replying, paid a tribute to the fine women who had preceded her in the office, Mrs. Grace Neill and Miss Hester Maclean. Their good works, she said, were well known to the nursing profession. She felt that the present gathering wag a delightful one, arid she was very happy in seeing so many of her friends together, and, she remarked jokingly, she thought of "adding a room" to her house to take tho flowers that had been so kindly given her. In mentioning Mrs. Graco Neil], Miss Bicknell said that they had In tii,ink her for the arrangements in ado f'ni' tlic proper registration of nurses, which had added a great fle?tl to tho

strength oi! their position, and had other advantages as well. She concluded by praising the work of those with whom she had worked so long, and bade an affection ato farewell to all. Among those present were Dr. and Mrs. Paget, Dr. and Mrs. Findlay, Dr. and Mrs. W. Young, Dr. and Mrs. Corkill, Dr. Ewen . (Wellington Hospital), Miss Hester Maclean, Sir John and Lady Luke, Mrs. H. D. Bennett, Mrs. B. W. Kane, Dr." Ada Paterson, Dr. Sylvia Chapman, Dr. Agnes Bennett, Miss M. M'Leah, C.8.E., Dr. and.Mrs. Pattie, Mrs. T. Corkill, Misses Kane, Mrs. Bennie, Mrs. Gilman, Miss Cookson, Miss Ewart, Miss Baglcy, Miss Lambie, Mrs. Preston, and a large gathering of other matrons and nurses, some of whom had come from a distance to be present. A great number, of telegrams and letters of apology were read, among them being one from Dr. J. S. Elliott, president of the 8.M.A., Miss Ormiston, Miss M. Bennie, and Miss Bradshaw sang delightfully, the D.I.C. Orchestra played, and the Nurses' Song" was tunefully given to the air of "Auld Lang Sync" before the evening closed.