The Hastings Standard THURSDAY, NOV. 4. 1909 WORTHY OF HONOUR.

Hastings Standard, Volume XIII, Issue 4303, 4 November 1909, Page 4

The Hastings Standard THURSDAY, NOV. 4. 1909 WORTHY OF HONOUR.

The public generally and the members of the Hastings Branch of the Society for the Health of Women and Children in particular, will regret to hear that Dr. Truby King, who was the founder of the Karitane Home/and has been the living force behind the Society which has been the direct result of the successful operation of the smaller and original organisation, has been obliged, owing to failing health, to sever his connection therewith. In notifying his decision the doctor says: " I feel that the time is opportune for me to formally sever my connection with a work in which my services have become less and less necessary of late, and for which I should have less and less time available in the future- The enthusiasm and unanimity shown by the representatives from the various centres, and their confidence in the permanence and progressiveness of all that has been taken in hand, are the best guarantees for the future of your society. Founded by yourselves in the special interest of mothers and babies, it has now passed beyond th<; exp3rimental stage, and there is no reason to doubt that the measure and sqppe of your services to the community will continue to increase and fulfil the promise of a few years during which it has been my privilege to be associated with you." In this modest manner, characteristic of a noble man, does Dr Truby King retire from active work in an organisation which owes its existence to him. Speaking regretfully of his decision to- sever his official connection with the Society, the "Otago Daily Times" says:—" His humanitarian philanthropy has in no one single direction led him into work which has engrossed his attention so much as the efforts made by him to lessen the sacrifice of child life which is such a blot on presentday civilisation Amid much scepticism, without that full help and recognition from his fellow medical men in the community that should have been accorded him, but with never-failing courage and a belief in the ultimate success of his work, he

has with unflinching steadfastness of purpose carried to success the organisation knowri to the public throughout New Zealand as the Society for Promoting the Health of Women and Children. With the invaluable assistance of many earnest supporters among the ladies of most of the principal towns of the Dominion, and especially with the wholehearted and very practical support Dr King has received from Lady Plunket, who has devoted a great deal of time to its affairs, the Society has now attained a strong position. Dr King has consequently felt himself entitled to be relieved from the arduous work that has fallen to his lot. Only those who have been intimately associated with him in the difficulties incident to the early days of the Society know how arduous the work imposed on Dr King was, and how it taxed his strength. Success has, however, crowned his persevering efforts, and no public work with which he has been associated is likely.to afford him more satisfaction than the decrease in the wastage of infant life which should, in increasing ratio, be the outcome of his disinterested and steadfast energy in a field of social work that has hitherto received but scant recognition." We would like to see Hastings the first town in the Dominion to pub" licly honour this benefactor of women and children. The opportunity is afforded at the Garden Fete which is to be held here on Bth December. In what more fitting manner could the doctor's services to the community be recognised than by inviting him to be present to see for himself to what extent the good results of his work have been felt here. He is a man who is passionately fond of flowers and the occasion could be made one which would leave in his mind most pleasant recollections of the manner in which the people of Hastings expressed their appreciation of the noble work which will make his name live through the annals of New Zealand. We submit the suggestion to the committee now at work organising th v e Floral Fete and express the hope that they will be able to give it favourable consideration.