SEAT VACATED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21697, 26 April 1945, Page 6

SEAT VACATED

MRS. BEER’S RECORD

LONG HOSPITAL SERVICE Alter 19 years’ continuous membership of the Cook Hospital Board, Mrs Ada E. Beer on Monday tendered her resignation from that body in a letter to the chairman, Mr. M. T. Trafford, who Announced its contents at the close of an all-dav sitting. The letter stated that it was with regret that Mrs. Beer had decided to retire from the board, but she felt that it was time the borough ratepayers were represented by a younger member. “This means that we lose one of our number who, beyond doubt, has been a most valuable member of the board,” said Mr. Trafford. “Mrs. Beer and I ,have had our little differences. but she has always come round in the end. (Laughter.) One phase in which she hag excelled is in the welfare work of ,the board.” He added that apparently Mrs, Beer was firm in her determination to, resign, but he hoped that for many years she would take a keen interest in the work of the board. Mr. H. J. F. Tombleson, as next senior to the chairman in years of service on the board, paid a warm tribute to Mr.s. Beer's , work, and stated that she ranked third in seniority of membership. It was deeply to be regretted that she did not feel fit enough to see out the term for which she had been elected. Champion of Nursing Staff Other members of the board, including Mrs. E. R. Scott, Messrs. S. T. Gray, G. D, Muirhead. J. H. Hall, and J. B Williams, also spoke in high appreciation of Mrs. Beer's qualities as a member, and Dr. R. J. B. Hall and Mr. C. A. Harries added their tributes, the medical superintendent referring in particular to Mrs. Beer's championship of the nursing staff, and Mr. Harries saying that she had sponsored the. introduction of, many amenities for the staff and patients. Replying to the chairman and the other speakers, Mrs. Beer said that their kindness embarrassed, her a little. Her decision wds made, however, ah'd she would leave the board with some pride in what she had been able to accomplish on behalf of the patients and staff. The nursing staff had been her special care, and though she had not been able to achieve all she wanted for them, especially in regard to salaries, she had gained some points which gave her much satisfaction. . One other matter which gave her satisfaction was the reform she had been able to effect in the matter of addressing patients, who now received their proper titles instead of being addressed by surnames only. This reform had. been , .later recommended by the Hospital Association conference, she understood, arid was now general throughout New Zealand. Her present hope was that cubic! ising of the wards would be carried on throughout the Cook Hospital. ; On the motion of the chairman, the board accepted her resignation with regret, and the managing secretary was instructed to advise the Gisborne Borough Council of tile vacancy, in order that steps might be taken to fill it.