TRUBY KING HOUSE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 101, 26 October 1938, Page 18

TRUBY KING HOUSE

INTERESTING CEREMONY

The deep interest taken in the work it was suitable to have the opening on of the Plunket Society and the rever- "Rhododendron Day,", for it was alence in which the memory of the late ways a special day for members and Sir Truby King is held were well ex- friends. Later it was intended that emplified yesterday afternoon when the house should be used as a trainher Excellency Lady Galway opened ing place for senior students where his late residence at Melrose, which he they could undertake special work bequeathed to the society in Welling- under the advice and supervision of ton, for there was a large gathering of the matron They hoped to keep one members of the society, its officials, [°™/^the"^ H brLy and interested people. concluded with thanks to those who Those who had not been there be- had helpe( j w i t h arranging the proceedfore realised the wisdom of Sir Truby in g S) and anno unced that tea would be in placing his home in a place which servec i a t the mothercraft end of the [commanded such a perfectly glorious Karitane Hospital, view, not only of part of the city, but The Hon. W. Nash then expressed of Lyall Bay (which was "darkly, his pleasure at being able to be predeeply, beautifully blue" yesterday sen t with Mrs. Nash, and said that the with the white waves curling up on Government would take special care the shore), the vistas of hills in the to help in any way possible to keep distance, and of the South Island. His going one of the greatest works ever enjoyment of these and the shipping instituted by one man. He paid a was shown by the,fine telescope in the'cordial tribute to Sir Truby, and said

library window which is a wide, clear one, and can, be removed by turning a swivel to make the view uninterrupted. EXQUISITE FLOWERS. Around the house on . the hillsides' are brick walls, adapted for growing rock plants which beautify them wonderfully, while the sloping borders contain wonderful trees and shrubs from many parts of the world which Sir Truby had acclimatised with much skill. The flowers, of course, are exquisite, and the rhododendrons "a sight," causing the many visitors the greatest pleasure in viewing anything so fine in colour and growth. These, perhaps, "were the more appreciated in the house, for, arranged by the artistic hands of Mrs. Bassant, they were in all directions and could be enjoyed nearby. In the living-room they were in tones of palest to deepest pink,,.while on the dining-room table was a floating bowl of magnificent "pink pearl" rhododendrons which commanded the admiration of all. On the mantelpieces were sprays of the fine "fragrantissima," but in the study, Mrs. Bassant had chosen yellow flowers which set off the rich browns of the walls and furniture. Delicately drooping laburnum was there in high vases, with other yellow blooms to add to the effect. A point of interest there was the excellent portrait of Sir Truby, a real "speaking likeness," and a very nice portrait of Lady King on the wide writing table. There are many rooms in the house, all arranged to present a view of some kind, either of garden or sea. The kitchens with their full equipment and green and white tiled walls, showed that the owner had thought for the practical as well as the beautiful side J of life. One of N the most beautiful paths leads to the tomb of Sir Truby and his wife, and there yesterday were groups of beautiful rhododendrons showing j that though "gone before" he was "not forgotten." OPENING CEREMONY. The little opening ceremony was very interesting. Mrs. Jowett (president of the Wellington branch of the Plunket Society) met her Excellency, who was accompanied by Captain R. StuartFrerich, A.D.C., and introduced to her the matron, Miss Hitchcock, R.R.C., who was wearing with her uniform one of the scarlet capes which marks the war-service nurses. LadyGalway was in a smartly-cut tailleur of blue woollen tweed, and a blouse of ciel blue, her wide-brimmed hat being of navy straw, and she wore also a sable stole. Mrs. Jowett was in a dainty frock of- black marocain embroidered in white "flowers,'her smart black lowbrimmed hat had touches of white, I and" she wore fox furs. The Hon. W. Nash and Mrs. Nash were present, the latter wearing navy blue and a hat with a white quill. On the verandah also were Lady Myers, Lady Mo Gavin, Mrs. Hassell, Mr. Patrick, Dr. and Mrs. T. Gray, Dr. and Mrs. W. Young, Mrs. Charles White, Mrs. A. McVicar, Mrs. Crawford Scott, Mrs. Caselberg (Masterton), Mrs. Steele (Carterton) , and representatives from branches of the society ■■ at Masterton, Carterton, Lower Hutt, Plimmerton, Upper Hutt, and the coastal towns. Mrs. Jowett expressed the pleasure felt by all that Lady Galway had consented to perform the opening ceremony of the house, as it was a great occasion to all the members of the society. She also extended a welcome to the Hon. and Mrs. Nash, and to officials and visitors from the Wairarapa, Levin, and the coastal towns, as well as to the Wellington members. She felt it was an honour to be president of the society when such a great event had taken place as the gift and opening of Truby King House. The house was very beautiful in itself as well as in its setting, and would be an inspiration always to the committees to follow up his work and keep his ideals pure. Sir Truby had always meant his home to be part of the Karitane Home, and to be part also, of the privileges given to the mothers and babies who made use of the care and attention ,giyen there. They had all Mi that

he was responsible for an uplift in child welfare not only in New Zealand but in many other parts of the world— in Palestine, Great Britain, Russia, and many other countries. He considered him the greatest benefactor to child j life he had ever known. VICEREGAL INTEREST. Lady Galway was then given the I key of the house, and spoke of her great interest in the work for children, and said that she had special pleasure in that done in New Zealand. She had always been interested in the Plunket Society's activities, and had come to New Zealand prepared to help in what she considered a very great work. Her predecessors, from Lady Plunket onwards, had all done what they could, and with all this the. work was well and widely known. She felt that it was really a "great day" when the hotfse of a truly wonderful man was opened for usefulness to the society, and she was glad to think that those who carried on the work there, or were at the hos- j pital, would be surrounded by the J flowers and other beauties which he prized so much. Her Excellency then opened the door, and was presented with a huge basket of rhododendrons. The house was then inspected and admired, and later the visitors, went over to Karitane, where tea was served. At the entrance the Karitane nurses formed a guard of honour. Tea was served in the nurses' diningroom, which had . been charmingly arranged. Tulips, anemones, rhododendrons, and lilac were used for decoration. The members of the executive, who were the hostesses, were assisted by Mesdames Godfrey Wilson, Roy Matthews, W. Bullock, E. D. Good, Douglas Whyte, G. Bassant, Ernest Hunt, Tythe Brown, Richardson, T. Craig, Partori, R. M. Jack, David Aiken, M. Barnsley, Vickerman, Misses Barrett, Elsmie Ward, and K. Hayes (secretary) ♦ BABIES VISITED. Later, her Excellency visited the babies, and before she left a number of the nurses and others, * who have helped the society in various ways, were presented to her. A large number of the public availed themselves of the opportunity to visit the lovely house and grounds. Tea was served to them on the hospital balcony. A bring-and-buy stall was run in an alcove in the garden, and altogether the afternoon served to augment in no small way the funds which carry the splendid work.

"Rhododendron Day" will be celebrated again on Saturday, when the house and grounds will be open to the public when buses will be again provided.