OBITUARY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 125, 13 May 1935, Page 7

OBITUARY

Nurse Agnes D. Oliphant

Nurse Agnes D. Oliphant, a nurse well-known throughout, the Hawke’s Bay district, passel wry yesierlay. Nurse Oliphant, who had a most creditable record, commenced training in her profession ia tl.o Invercargill Hospital in 1897, and was Southland’s representative nurse in the Boer War. In this campaign she carried out a splendid service and had the honour of being mentioned in Lord Kitchener’s dispatches. In May, 1902, she was awarded the L.O.S. Diploma. After a short period of private nursing, she was appointed sub-matron of St. Helen’s Hospital, Wellington, in 1905. In the following year she was appointed matron of the St. Helen’s Hospital, Auckland, and later to a similar position at tho St. Helen’s Hospital, Christchurch. In 1910 she was appointed matron of the Auckland general hospital. On relinquishing this position she retired from her profession until 1928. when sho was appointed as district Maori nurso in the Hawke’s Bay district. This appointment she carried out with the greatest of satisfaction to the hospital authorities concerned. Her district included numerous Maori pas, where sho gave treatment to the sick among the natives. Her skilful attention and thorough understanding of the native psychology made liar beloved by the Maoris, who were always appreciative of her services. She continued her work, which she had so much at heart, almost to her end, when she was obliged to submit to hospital treatment. Her passing will be mourned by tho nursing profession generally, and by ’ill who were fortunate in having her association, more especially the Maoris in the many pas who will long remember with thankfulness a well rendered service among them.

The funeral took place at the Hastings Cemetery this afternoon.