LATE NURSE OLIPHANT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 126, 14 May 1935, Page 8

LATE NURSE OLIPHANT

An Appreciation (Contributed.) At the Soldiei. Memorial Hospital, Hastings, last bunuay r.-ernoon there passed away a gieat anu noble woman. Nurse Olipnant luliy upheld the great tiaditions ot her noolc piolession. Uu the outbreak of the South African War, she was chosen as Southland’s representative and was sent as a nurse wuh the New Zealand troops. On her return to this country she showed her skill and ability in rising to the important position of matron at St. Helens and later to a similar position at the Puuiic Hospital, Auckland. Some seven years ago she came to Hawke s Bay as District Nurse to the Maoris, and since her appointment has performed her arduous duties with ability and skill that brought the high, est commendation from ail who camo in contact with her.

Called out day and night to maternity cases, as well as general cases of sickness, she went cheerlully and willingly to any pa within reach. Many pakehas as well trespassed upon her never tailing sympathy, and the timo she should have spent resting was irequently used in helping someone in sickness. At the time of the earthquake in 1931 her experience was made good use ot among tne many suffering ones at that ternole time. Since Christmas life has slowly ebbed away in spite of all that could be done by the medical profession. During her long and paimul illness, tributes ol Howers, etc., and kind enquiries trom doctors nurses, and triends in varioui places, showed the esteem in which she was held.

Of a retiring and modest disposition, she dreaded publicity of any kind, it is understood that her dying requests showed these characteristics, as she requested no Howers, no fuss, but fortunately tew knew of this and the crowd that attended her funeral at the Hastings Cemetery on Monday uiiernoou showed the tunings of those who knew her.

Few that were present will ever forget that burial service. When the cortege reached the graveside it was there awaited by a large crowd of the Maori people—representatives from all the surrounding district—and also representatives ot the deceased lady’e noble profession, nurses in uniform from the Memorial Hospital. Bishop Bennett then conducted the beginning of the service; the combined Maori Choir singing a hymn in Maori in their usual impressive and feeling manner. Many present wished they could understand Maori to know the tribute the Bishop paid, when, in the native tongue, he spoke to his people of their departed friend. Anticipating our desires the Bishop then gave a short summary in English, telling how the Maori people had lost a mother, mole than a mother, for their nurse spoke to them in their troubles of a source of Divine consolation, and now she had "gone to her reward.”

Mr. Burt, a visiting evangelist from Auckland, then conducted the remainder of the burial service, and spoke a word of consolation and comfort to the Maori people assembled in the loss of their beloved nurse. He went on to point out that the entrance into Heaven at the end of Nurse Oliphant'e life was only on the ground of her faith and trust in the finished work of Calvary. He exhorted all present to prepare to meet God in the same way. After the Benediction had been pronounced the Maori women, with swimming eyes and evident tokens of grief on their .faces, filed slowly past the open grave, depositing the many floral tributes they brought to show their appreciation of the one who had done so much in so short a time for their race.

So passed from earth to Heaven at the early age ot 56 one respected and loved by all who knew her. whose Christianity was shown more in deeds than creeds.