OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 105, 31 October 1933, Page 11

OBITUARY

DR. W. E. HERBERT

GREAT PUBLIC HEALTH WORK •

Although it -vyas known to some of his friends that Dr. W. E. Herbert had been ill for the last two or three weeks, his death early this morning came as a great shock, and undoubtedly removes an outstanding figure from the life of this community.

Dr. Herbert was born at Lawrence, Otago, in 1872. He was the son of Mr. John F. Herbert, a landowner of Tapanui. He was educated at the Boys' High School, Dunedin, and after a short period at Otago University proceeded to Edinburgh. University, where he showed intense interest in his studies and quick perception. At that time he was very, popular among the Australian and New Zealand students, of whom there was a largo number in the Australasian Club. lie graduated M.B. in 1809, and proceeded to the degree of M.D. in 1002, and also passed a fellowship examination of the Eoyal College, of Surgeons in Edinburgh. Later, after somo years of practice, he became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons,, and also of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. After graduation, he was a house surgeon at Liverpool, and came under the influence of the late Sir Bobert Jones, whoso surgical work for soldiers was famous during the Great War.

Dr.' Herbert commenced private practice in Wellington in partnership with the late Dr. Albert Martin, and his professional skill, human sympathy, industry and understanding brought him a large practice. Ho was appointed' to the staff of tho Wellington Hospital, and did excellent surgical work. His name should be remembered in the Wellington Hospital for many years to come for two reasons—his enthusiastic support in raising money io build a new Children's, Hospital,, whiph .is a great credit to the institution; and also for his forceful leadership in helping to raise money .'for the purchase of radium in large supplies, which has become increasingly useful for the treatment of cancer, and is now in the'service of the Cancer Campaign clinic. Tho late Dr. Herbert was one of thoso who did much for the establishment of the Health Department in New Zealand—the first Health Ministry to bo established in the British Empire. Ho was - always deeply interested, in public health affairs—that is in preventive medicine, arid was a kee;i supporter of fresh air treatment, including sanatorium treatment for consumption; the prevention 'of physical uiyfttness, and goitre; the investigation of "cancer, and indeed anything that made for the health and happiness of-the people generally. He was a vice-president of the Children's Health Camp Association, and was interested in the movement from its inception. He was an active supporter of tho Phuket Society, and with the help of the Rotary Club, of which he was at one time president, took a large part in the establishment of tho Karitano Hospital.

Much impressed with the post-gradu-ate medical study available m America, which country he visited on several occasions, he became a personal friend of the Mayo brothers and other leading surgeons. The efficiency of the American hospital made him think of hospital improvement in Jsew Zealand, pf which ho was .an advocate and the Bowen Street Hospital, a pioneer institution of its kind, in New Zealand,. Syasitho..out-, c0me... '..'., '.■'.' ~. ' .-••, . ;■■ ; In'the Great War, -Dr. Herbert served with the rank of major, and ■, did good service in.the New Zealand military hospital? in England!; He maintained his interest in the returned soldiers, and served as the Returned Soldiers' Association representative on the War Pensions Appeal' Board. •' lie was also keenly interested in sport, arid for some years took a prominent part in racing as an owner-and as an official of the Wellington Racing Club. It may here be stated that he was a close student of the thoroughbred racehorse, and some' years back he owned and raced several horses, among the best known being probably. BoPeep, Cotillion, Mary Margaret, Philomela, Struggle, Active, Pqt Pourri, Rugby, and Vogue. He was'an enthusiastic advocate of the .Bruce. Lowe system of breeding horses, and'it.was he who first pointed out the remarkable lines of the yearling to.be offered at the 1928 Trentham sales who was'later to earn such fame as' Phar Lap. Although he was so actively interested in racing, he seldom saw his own horses race.

Dr. Herbert was an enthusiastic Freemason, and,- among other Masonic offices which he held, he was Master o t f the Aorangi Lodge. During the last few years, when he had retired from active practice, he.enjoyed the recreation of golf at tho Heretaunga links.

Dr. Herbert married Miss Florence Gilmcr, daughter of the late Hon. Hamilton Gilmer, and had a family of three daughters—Mrs. Jeffory Manning (living in Karachi, India)^ Mrs. Charles Levin, and Miss Betty Herbert. '

"Dr. Herbert has left his mark not only in his own profession, but as a man of wide interests," stated an old friend and medical colleague today. "He was public spirited and* anxious to take part in every good cause. His advice and sympathy were often sought, and.no man made friends more easily. He was devoid of envy or jealousy, and the success of his friends and acquaintances brought him as much pleasure as if they had been'his own. He belonged to a type of medical man, now perhaps disappearing, when specialism is quite properly the vogue, for ho had by diligent study to keep himself abreast of the knowledge in all fldlds of medicine when.his duties were as diversified as they were responsible and onerous."

A short service will be held at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral at 9.15 a.m. tomorrow. The funeral and committal service at Karori will be private.