MINISTER AT PATEA

Hawera Star, Volume L, 11 December 1930, Page 6

MINISTER AT PATEA

BUILDINGS OFFICIALLY OPENED , HON. A. J. STALLWORTHY’S VISIT HUNTER SHAW ESTATE DONATIONS. Yesterday was a “red letter occasion iu Patea, when Hon. A. d. btauworthy (Minister of Health) officially J opened the Hunter Shaw memorial building, which includes the library and Plunket- room, the Hunter Shaw children’s ward at the hospital, the dental clinic and the courthouse. In addition, the Minister unveiled a memorial tablet to the late Mr Hunter Shaw, from whose residuary estate of £17,600 a total of £5,700 has Been expended ill Patea. in various grants. . From the steps of the memorial building the Minister addressed a gathering of between two and tlnee hundred, and associated with him were His Worship the Mayor and Mrs Pamsbottom, Mr H. G. Dickie, M.P., Mr F„ W. Locker (chairman of the dental clinic committee), Mr C. P. Hionevfielcl (chairman of the Hospital Board), Mr 33. Poberts (representing Mr H. F. 'Warren, executor ot the Hunter Sliaw Estate, Mr A T. Christensen (chairman of the Jibraryj committee), and Mrs Poberts (president of the Patea Plunket Society). Pef erring to the numerous local grants from the Hunter Shaw Estate,, the Mayor said that Patea had been particularly fortunate in having obtained sums totalling such a large amount, and for which the residents of/ the town were particularly grateful. The new ward was an acquisition of incalculable value to the community and it was hoped that with the co-opera-tion of the Minister the Hospital Board would later he able to still further extend the facilities at the hospital. Thanks were due to Mrs Roberts and tlie committee who had so splendidly equipped the: Plunket room, and who (also were untiring in their efforts on behalf of a very worthy movement. As far as the library was concerned, no one could have done more than Mr Richardson, whose efforts in that connection had been unlimited and iintiring. Mr R'amsbottom also paid a tribute to the work of the architects — Messrs Duffil and Gibson (hospital ward) and bummer and Ford (memorial building) and to Mr Coltman for his donation of the tower clock. In introducing Mr Stallworthy, Mr Dickie emphasised the generosity of Mr Hunter Slmw in enabling the four buildings to be established, and also that of the late Messrs Mcßroom and Hall in other directions. Referring to the Plunket Society, he said that Sir Truby King’s name would be remembered when many of our prominent politicians were forgotten, and stressed the importance of the children’s ward, the Plunket room and the library to the community.

ALMOST UNIQUE CEREMONY. Expressing his pleasure at being present, Mr Stallworthy said that the celebration of opening five practically new buildings was almost unique for any town in the Dominion. On account of the spirit of service and sacrifice animating the hearts of a few citizens I Patea had buildings which would grace any town and their value to the community could not be over-emphasised. ""Referring to the hospital ward, Hon. jMr Stallworthy added that New Zealand had the lowest maternity mortality rate in the world, as well as the lowest genera! mortality rate and the lowest T.B. rate. That was something to be proud of. All would feel very grateful that the children’s ward had been added to the hospital and lie recalled that he had had very much pleasure in removing an impasse to its erection. The ward was very well equipped in every respect and tliei hoard was fortunate in tiie matter of its hospital staff. He desired to congratulate the architects' upon a splendidly designed structure, and also the Mayor and citizens of Patea upon the opening of the five buildings, which showed civic advancement. He was delighted with the library and Plunket room and was glad that the Mayor and: councillors were broad-minded enough to have the Plunket Society appreciated and aided by the civic administration. He had no hesitation in saying that the Plunket Society was doing work of incomparable value, and once the ideals of the society were more widely known, one would get back to the sanctity and beauty of home life. He congratulated [the Patea Plunket Society on the splendid success they had achieved in 1 the erection of a. magnificent building, the equal of which he did not know of in New Zealand. In stressing the value of the library, Mr Stallworthy 1 said that aIL -would appreciate tlie iin- ' parlance -of good literature and he : trusted: that full use would he made of the institution. I i

The dental clinic had its greatest asset in its educational value in correct feeding to avoid dental troubles, and wo had a lot to learn in New Zealand about proper feeding. It was hoped that research would eventually •obviate the necessity for such clinics. A survey of the dental condition of children in New Zealand showed the extent to which instruction was needed, for 98 per cent, in a group surveyed had urgent need of dental treatment—a. shocking state of affairs. He was pleased to see that in Patea all children from the various schools were privileged to attend the clinic and ho congratulated the Patea committee oil that fact. Discrimination because of religion or any other reason was to be deplored. About 70,000 children were being treated in New Zealand in the various clinics, which showed that much had yet to he learned in dental care. Taranaki was fortunate in possessing its present chain of clinics. In the courthouse Patea had a handsome building, symbolic of what was obtainable in no •other but a British country—true justice.

Mr Stallworthy apologised for the una\ onlable absence of the actiiu**Pi ime Minister (Hon. E. A. Bansom), " bo. however, sent his personal regards and congratulations upon Paten’s achievement. He then declared the various buildings opened.

A FTEENOON TEA. Subsequently the residents were entertained at afternoon tea in the Town Hall supper room, songs being rendered by Miss Marion Hamerton, accompanied by Mrs Haddow. Mrs Roberts voiced the appreciation felt by the Plunket Society at the generosity of the Hunter Shaw Estate, through Mr Warren. The work of the society was one of national importance and one that merited every public support, and Patea had been indeed fortunate that such a large sum had been available from the estate to aid the local movement. The Patea branch of the society could not adequately express its thanks to Mr Warren for the unstinted consideration he had shown. Mr Honeyfield said that with the new ward the hospital was now com-

iplete in evcrv respect aiul he desired. t o publicly thank -M r Warren tor the I I handsome donation, Messrs Dutlill and I Hibson. the architects, and Mr Big-1 nail, the contractor, for the erection of a splendidly designed additon. It was seldom that an institution was so generously treated as had been the Hospital ' Hoard in the matter of the ward, and lie, as well as his tellowi members and the residents of Pa tea, was particularly grateful that its I erection had been made possible. Mr Christensen also referred to the Huntor Shaw Estate donations through Mr Warren, who had heen very kind indeed to Paten. Mr Warren had known of the personal needs of I a ten. and the town had heneiited accordingly. When lie had first seen the plans .of the new building, added Mr ( ten sen, he had felt very gratified, but much more so on the completion ot the building. He thanked Mr Stallworthy for having gone to consideiahle personal inconvenience to he present.

BENEFACTOR TO PATEA. ‘■•On behalf of Mr Warren, and as his representativej I express his thanks for the kind words regarding his acts of gift,” said Mr Roberts. The late Mr Hunter Shaw and his family were Mr Warren’s friends in the early days of Wellington, and being sole executor of Mr Shaw’s will, and empowered to distribute the residuary estate tor charitable nurposes, it appeared to Mr Warren only fitting and proper that there should he some memorial of a permanent character raised to memory in Patca, win eh had heen his liome town for GO years, and to which he was deeply attached. In assisting towards the* building of the children s ward, in providing a children’s playground and other improvements in the Domain, and in providing the means for the permanent decent upkeep of the Domain grounds, besides erecting the memorial building to house the library and the Plunket rooms. Mr Warren did what he considered was due to the memory of a worthy and honourable man and due also to the district in which he had spent the greater part of his life and in the advancement and prosperity of which he was deeplv interested. If the people of of Patca now approve of what has been done —and I am assured by the speeches we "have heard and the tributes by all present that approval is given whole-heartedly—then Mr Warren will feel as much pleasure and satisfaction as his old friend Mr Hunter Shaw would experience could he but ItaA-e been present at the official opening bv a Minister of the Crown of those'lmildings erected to his memory and given for public service" in his district.” Ilis Worship the Mayor sincerelv thanked Hon. Mr Stallworthy for his efforts on behalf of the Hospital Board, and trusted that he would give full consideration to further requests made that day. It was a great pleasure to him to helo people who were prepared to help themselves, replied Mr Stallworthy. and there was a dynamic force in the civic life of Patca which was verv commendable. The splendid co-oneration manifested in Patea was a matter for congratulation, and what assistance lie could render would he willingly given.