“LOUISA ROBERTS” HOSPITAL

Evening Star, Issue 17850, 22 December 1921, Page 1

“LOUISA ROBERTS” HOSPITAL

BUILDING OPENED TO-DAY. A big delegation from town, including Mr W. E. S. Knight, chairman of the Otago Hospital Board, and many members, went to Middlemarch to-day for the opening of tho "Louisa Roberts” Hospital, which is named after Lady Roberts to emblazon in the district the generosity of Sir John Roberts in providing the fundsjor this district institution. Mr Alex. M‘Kinnou, chairman of tho local committee, presided, and during the ceremony an embossed leather blotter with Lady Roberts’s initials on the back and an inscription in poker work inside, was presented to Sir John Roberts for her acceptance. Tho matron of the hospital (Airs Paddock) provided lunch for town visitors, and afternoon tea was provided for the general public. Mr Knight, in opening the proceedings, gave a short "history of the inception of the idea, lie said that when Dr Roberts, vvuo was well and favorably known in the distent, was medical officer he was a member of the Otago Hospital Board, and he first submitted the proposal that the board Mould establish an institution in tho district. However, this was not favorably considered at the time, and the matter remained in abeyance. Later Sir John Roberts came to the assistance of the district, and intimated that the property could lie purchased at a certain figure, ami that, lie would provide sufficient moimy tar- he was anxious to leave some evidence of ha vmg been so long in U l!b district), winch, with the Government vib-idy thereon, would enable tho board to acquire'the firm bullc.t* now opened. T ho -matter was placed Wune the department in Wellington, which favorably considered and tee board decided to accept Sir John’s very generous offer with very many thanks. Arrangements had to bo marl* t o provide a mail on, and he thought that in tho appointment of Mrs Paddock Urn district was to be congratulated on having secured a Lady with great qualifications. The local committee had had much dillicultv in obtaining a medical man for the district, and it was hoped now that Dr Gunn had received the appointment, and had be-ni appointed medical officer in ,-haver of the hospital, that matters in that line would lie settled. The board also had to provide a staff te keep up such an extensive establishment (which was really more than was requir'd fur the district), which, no doubt, would provide for futuie extensions as tho district giew. The land comprised a little more than seventeen ceres, and, of course, would requite attention to l;o."p it in presentable order, (t was hoped that the- le.sidnits of tho district, would render such assistance to the committee as woidd enable it to keep its <wpen«e.* down and make the hospital re’f-suppnrtinli in so far as vegetables, milk, etc., were conrmnmL “11 is also hoped. ’ cur,n md Mi im igut. that vou will be a hie to grow sufficient vegetables to provide the other institutions of tho board will) uccessite's. [or which ihis_in-r-t]futiou will receive credit, and thus lessen the cost of maintenance. In addition. Sir John 11 o 1 ;ts Las into; wded his one-time partner. Mr John Sanderson, in this institution, and he has provided tho mini of £l5O. which, with the Government subsidy the I, cci. will neatly pay for the whole’of the eaiiiiimmit. The cqrt of the hef trial '-as £2 905 18s fid; equipment to dale. £'ss 7s fad; ami the alterations, £.443 ; a-, you will have come idea of what, it torts to start an imdilulion such as this. Our one regret is char Lady Roberts, ‘■fir John’s esteemed helpmate lor over liftv vears, i.s not with n- to-dav at tho opening of this institution; but Sir John advises Hi at. her health would not permit of liar mailing the jou'aivi. However, we a=k. on behalf of the board, that he will accept on her behalt this small souvenir of what is one of the. most interesting events in rogerd to the board's activities and' "lore than interesting to the people of ibis district. Tire inscription thereon is j Prcmifwl to Lady Roberts | hv the (dago Hospital Board on the occa-rt.-u , f |he ohmia! opening. of the Louisa Roberts Hospital, Middiernarch. 2212/21.’ Tn view of (be building not, having been j a new oim. if, war, thought that the usual i *rif(. of a 'mid kev would be inappropriate: I t.„t we tenrt this will be- acceptable to i Her Ladyship. It is the work of returned j soldiers, and to rne sec ins most suitable, in view of Sir John’s estate having been 1 sold to the Government and out up for ! soldiers’ a'Mmeuls. The institution ha? appropriately been called the ‘Louisa Roberts ’ Hospital in honor of the principal donor?, and we (met that Sir John and Ladv Roberts will have many years, of health aml happiness before them.” The bui’din" wa? then declared open by Sir John Roberts.