OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 11

OBITUARY

PEOMINENT MEDICAL MAN

DR. W..E. COLLINS, C.M.G.

Dr. William Edward Collins, C.M.G., M.L.C., died at his residence, Hobsou Street,, Wellington, at an early hour this morning. Dr. Collins was an outstanding figure in the medical profession .of N,ew Zealand for* more tliau half 11 cciitury, and during his long residence, in Wellington, by liis cour-, tesy, kindness of heart, generosity, and public spirit he won tho esteem and love of tho community. For as far back as the memory of tho present generation runs, Dr. Collins lias been one of tlio loading medical practitioners in Wellington, having practised for many years in partnership with Dr. W. Poll, and later with Dr. W. ,1. H. Hislop, with headquarters in Boulcott Street, where the Young Women's Christian Association is now1 housed. Ho was born near Darjeeling, India, and educated at Cheltenham. College, England, and London University, completing his professional qualification while at ; St. George's Hospital, London, and attaining the dignity of membership of the Eoyal College of Surgeons in 1876. In 1877 ho, gained special experience at the Brd'mpton Hospital for Consumptives. ' Soon after this, he came out to New' Zealand, and, after a few

months? residence in Nelson, settled in Wellington. For many years he was a member of the medical staff of the district' hospital. On.o of his hobbies during his residence in tlu capital was tho encouragement, of ambulance work. In'tho!, days of the volunteer system Dr. Colljns was. actively concerned in tie fence work, being attached to the D Battery, and ho was for a long time principal medical officer of the Wellington;' volunteer" district, also attaining tho rank of lieutenant-colonel iv the New Zealand Medical Corps. tn tho work of tliG' New Zealand branch of tho British Medical Association he took a'prominent ..part, and held high oiEee. , In 1007 he was called to the Legislative Council, where he has sat ever since. In Parliamentary debate ho took littlo part outside questions that, concern the public health and the medical service of the country, but on these ho was able to speak with authority, -and , was..listened- to with ' the greatest attention. ■ ./■

Great interest was takon by Dr. Collins in the welfare of the Residential Nursery, Owen Street, of which he was chairman of the coniinittefl, from the inception. | of the- institution in 1930. In his connection with .this particular work ho showed practical sympathy and understanding, for apart from his executive duties ho was a frequent visitor to the home and thoroughly understood tho difficulties met with in its operation. In the work of tho executive tho late Dr. Collins was a tower of strength. .Sport has lost a true friend through the death of Dr. Collins. In his younger days he was a player of mark both.at cricket and football. Of his Rugby prowess some indication is given in. his having represented England against Scotland and Ireland. As a keen student of the game he realised that it was open to improvement, and it was through him that scrummaging became an organised department of the game. This important change was brought about at tho time wJion Dr. Collins was at St. George's Hospital in England. His interests were just .as Keenly devoted to cricket, of' which game he has boon a grand supporter in New Zealand. In his younger days ho played for some years with the Wellington Cricket Club, and hewns a very fino player. His son, D. C. Collins, also boeamo a prominent figure in the game in this country, not only as a rplayor but also as a captain. Tho interests of cricket in the schools, as well as in its many other grades, were closely watched by Dr. Collins, and many a time his helping hand has been appreciated. One of tho evidences of his interest is the trophy played for annually between tho first elevens of Wellington College* and. Wangaimi Collegiate" School. .'The official records of c.rifckot arc not without honourable mention so far as tho Collins family is concerned. A nephew of the late Dr. Collins had the distinction of making the world's record score in cricket —^in 1899 A. E. J. Collins (who. was killed nt Mons) made 62fi not out for Clarke's House v. North Town, at Clifton College. -Dr. Collins was also an enthusiastic, sportsman and golfer. . Tho late Dr. Collins leaves, a widow, one son, Mr. D. C..Collins, of Featherston, and a daughter,' Mrs. H. L. Milsom. of Wimbledon, England.

Tho funeral service will bo held at' St. Paul's ' Pro-Cathedral tomorrow (Sunday), at 2 p.m. ' .'

TRIBUTE BY MR. L. O. H. TRIPP.

Mr. L. O. 11. Tripp, vice-president of tho ,Now Zealand branch of tho Bed Cross Society, paid the following tribute to tholifo and memory of the lato Dr. Collins:—

• ."Although I huvo known for some months that the health of Dr. Collins has been causing concern, nevertheless the announcement of his death has occasioned mo profound sorrow, which will also be felt not only by members within the Red Cross movement but also by citizens generally. Tho late Dr. .Collins has always been keenly concerned for the welfare of ex-soldiers and their dependants. Following distinguished service with the medical forces during tho war, bo returned to tho Dominion, and, appreciating the potentialities of the Bed Cross movement, 'linked up with it in 1919. In 1920 he was elected to a positionyOn tho Now .Zealand council, in the, same year being elevated' to the position of ' chairman ■of the New: Zealand executive, which ofiico ho continued to hold up to the ,time of his death. In 1926 he represented tho New Zealand Society at tho International Red Cross Conference at Geneva, and again at Tho Hague in 1928. To Dr. Collins is due the forma-, tion of tho Junior Bed Cross movement in the Dominion, his lovo of children making this movement very dear to his heart. ', '

"Tho late Dr. Collins wns a man of vision. This was exemplified by his establishing what; is now known its the 'Dr. Collins New Zealand Red Cross Disaster Belief Fund.' In 1931, just three days prior to the earthquake in Hawko's'Bay, ho inaugurated this fund by making an endowment of £1000 to form the nucleus of a fund for relief purposes, to be released immediately in tho event, of a disaster occurring in any part of Now Zealand. He recognised the supremo importance of funds being nt once available for the relief of unfortunate* sufferers. Striking proof of his, realisation of tho need of instant, action in such circumstances^ can be gathered from the following incident: Two days after making tho endowment, ho left for England llt was on board ship at sea that he received the news of tho tragic happening in Hawke's Bay. He immediately radioed to the Public Trustee to release £750 for the Hawko's Bay sufferers. Being an endowment, the interest only was available, a fact which was intimated by cable to Dr. Collins by tho Public Trustee. Nevertheless, so concerned wns the doctor that he made a donation of £750 to the National Fund opened by the Prime Minister. The value of Dr. Collins's fund has been since demonstrated.by contributions released from it for the relict; of sur-1 furors in the Wuiroa disaster. . Apart from the loyal and practical service accorded to tho cause of tho Ked Cross movement^ JJr, Collins has boon most!

liberal in his benefactions, particularly iv regard to the Junior Red Cross — ardently contending that if the movement looks to tho well-being of its youth, its future is secure. To this end, it is understood that tho -late Dr. Collins has made generous provision."

Mr. Tripp. concluded by adding that of Dr. Collins it could well be said ho was ono of Nature's gentlemen. "By his passing, the society has sustained an irrcparablo loss, and to tho bereaved widow and family members unite in extending their profound condolence"