PLUNKET SOCIETY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 March 1927, Page 5

PLUNKET SOCIETY

WORK OF SIR TRULY KING. PRAISED BY DUCHESS OF YORK. BY OaBLJS-I-HESS ASSOCIATION—COPY RlGlil. WELLINGTON, March 7. The Truby King Karita.no Hospital, the first' specialty built institution of the kind in the world, was formally opened to-day by the Duchess of York. The hospital occupies a commanding position on Melrose Heights. There was a distinguished gathering. The Duclieas was greatly impressed with all she saw. Mr. Kirkaldde, on behalf of the Citizens’ Committee of the Wellington provincial district of the Plunket Society, said that the hospital was designed to afford adequate accommodation for those women who desired t-o train, and qualify as Raritan© nurses on the lines laid down by Sir Truby King; It was pleasing to be .able to inform her Royal Highness that the whole of the accommodation for the trainees would be immediately availed of, and the long .list of aspirants, for training conclusively proved the interest that the young women of this Dominion were talcing in this important and veiy necessary profession. 'He traced the history and progress of the great Plunket movement, emphasising that the Dominion had the lowest infantile death rate in the world. He paid a tribute to the great debt owing to Sir T'ruby King. He handed the Duchess a gold key to open the building. Her Royal Highness expressed pleasure that she had been asked to perform the ceremony. In a few words to Sir Truby King she complimented him on his great work. Then she opened the main door with the key. The official party made a tour of inspection, the Duchess again complimented Sir Truby and the members of the committee on the valuable work that has been accomplished in so short a time. She also consented to make an appearance on the balcony overlooking the Heads, receiving a rousing reception, from the large crowd, which she graciously acknowledged. A visit wa.s then paid to Sir Truby’s home Where the Duchess was able to see something of the work being accomplished. She visited one of the classes at work and engaged in ooversation with the children for a few minutes.

When the Duchess left she had another rousing reception from the crowd lining the route. At the opening of the Karitane Home this morning Her Royal Highness arrived all in pink. Her frock was of delicate flesh pink georgette cut on simple lines. The soft, swathed belt was caught in front with a diamante buckle. Her hat was of crinoline straw with a brim of tulle caught from the face by a diamante brooch and with a. large chon of tulle on the right side. The Duchess carried a parasol to tone and. wore two ropes of pearls She was presented with a. bouquet of dull yellow roses by Betty Longuet. a three and a half year old Plunket baby. Mrs. Li ttle-G ilmour accompanied Her Royal Highness in a fronk of dark fawn erepe<le-ohino and light green hat. Mrs. Coates was also present in beige with a green hat, and Lady Hosk.ing wore a. black hat and a fawn dress. Miss Trubv King wore green with a black and white hat.

After a tour of inspection through the hospital, tlhe Duchess went up to Sir Trubv King’s home and while there saw a small lrindergarten which Miss King and Miss Marjorie Black have been running for ..sonic time past. She was most interested in the work of the little ones, who were quite at home with their Royal visitor, and was heard to remark: “I’ve seen such lovely hob >'es here.” hut perhaps there were thoughts inst then of another little hnW. a little Kliziaheth far away in Queen’s good care.