VALEDICTORY

Grey River Argus, 25 January 1943, Page 2

VALEDICTORY

DR. AND MRS B. L. WILSON, HOKITIKA. [Our Own Correspondent.] HOKITIKA, Jan. 24;' There was a large gathering at the Soldiers’ Hall/ Hokitika, on Saturday afternoon to bid farewell to Dr. B. L. Wilson, Mrs Wilson and Miss June Wilson, ,on the eve of their departure from Hokitika. The Mayor of Hokitika (Mr A. R. Elcock), presided, and seated also on the platform with the guests were the County Chairman (Mr T. P. O’Neil),

Mr D. J. Evans (President of the Savings Bank), Mr T. W. Duff (Westland Hospital Board), and the Mayoress.

The Mayor apologised for Messrs E. W. Heenan (Chairman of the Westland Hospital Board), W. A. Jamieson (Koiteranki), wno were unavoidably absent. The Mayor said that the gathering was something unique in the locality, as seldom were borough and county seen officially joining in farewelling a man who had not taken a large part in public life. It was, however well known that the service of Dr. Wilson to the community had been so • outstanding that there was a universal desire that, they should be rcognised, and therefore this gathering was being held. During the past twelve yelars Dr. Wilson’s s'ervice had been outstanding both as a doctor and a citizen. He would not touch much upon the doctor’s technical capacity as that came within the scope of the Hospital Board, but that it was admitted that he thought firstly of his hospital,, and secondly of his oatients. but of himself not at all, and as a result his health had suffered and therefore they had to lose him. All his spare time, Dr. Wilson had was given to Red Cross, gymnastics, and other things for the benefit oi the town. They all hoped that when the Doctor departed that he might ..find the climate warmer, but he was sure he would not find the hearts of the people warmer to him than those here. On behalf of the borough he extended to Dr. Wilson hearty thanks, trusting that in ms new sphere his health would be regained and that long life would be his to give his great •service to the people. The Mayor thanked Mrs Wilson for the part she had played in the'community and. said the doctor would be the first to admit that he had receivevd great help from her. Mr O’Neill, Chairman of the West- [ land County Council, said that there was no one more appreciated in the whole of Westland than was Dr. Wilson. Although the Doctor had not taken a large part in public life, it was his belief that he had kept more people alive than any other man in th e district. The people who owed their lives to Dr. Wilson were many.

He spoke also of the fine work which Mrs Wilson had done in the community and the way in which everyone appreciated this. He wished Dr. and Mrs Wilson and Miss Wilson a very happy and long life and prosperity they might go, and trusted Dr. Wilson would be in a very lew months as well as ever he was. Dr. Duff, on behalf of the Hospital Board, spoke in detail of Doctor Wilson’s fine work at the Hospital, and wished the guests the very best of health and happiness for the future. Mr .D J. Evans said that the Savings Bank had helped Dr. Wilson in any way it could, and he was sure that Dr. Wilson would leave well pleased. He spoke of the Doctor’s very pleasing manner and kind disposition, and joined with the other speakers in wishing the Doctor and Mrs Wilson happier times in Christchurch. Mr T. Tainui spoke highly of Dr. Wilson’s work in the Maori settlement at Arahura, and as a token of the gratitude of that community, called upon Mr John Tainui to make a presentation to Dr. Wilson and to Mrs Wilson. > The Mayor then presented Dr. Wilson with a cheque on behalf of the inhabitants both of the borough and county, whil e Mr O’Neil made a presentation to Miss June Wilson. Mrs Wilson was presented with a bouquet by’ Miss Shirley Andrews and Miss June Wilson bv a small member oi the Maori Concert Party. Dr Wilson, after thanking the various bodies, said that leaving Hokitika was not an occasion that he was looking forward to. He recollected various amusing incidents in his twelve years of service. He spoke highly of the Westland Hospital, and of the expensive hospital equipment that, with the help, of the Savings Bank, they had there installed. On behalf of Mrs Wilson, his daughter and himself he thanked everyone tor the function and for turning out as they had done to bid him farewell. Items were given bv Mrs Harrison, Mr Arnold Perry and the Jtmior members of the Maori Concert 1 arty. The meeting was brought to a close with afternoon tea served by the W.W.S.A