MEMORIAL PLAQUE

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4818, 2 August 1939, Page 5

MEMORIAL PLAQUE

UNVEILED AT REST ROOM. LATE MRS. A. EDGAR. EARLY EFFORTS RECALLED. A very pleasing ceremony took place in the Rest Room on Tuesday when the ladies of the Plunket Committee, together with the original Rest Room Committee, gathered for the purpose of paying a tribute to the late Mrs. A. Edgar, president of the W.C.T.U., and for the unveiling of a plaque to her memory. Mrs. G. Elliott drew attention to the fact that sometimes those who have been instrumental in promoting various schemes in the town were apt to be forgotten as the years go by, and so it was suggested that something tangible should be placed in the rooms to remind the public how this building, which is a credit to the town, originated, so the Plunket Society decided to provide a plaque with a suitable inscription. A brief account of the initial stages of the Plunket and Rest Rooms was outlined, it being stated that 20 years ago at a meeting of the executive of the Women's Christian Temperance Union comprising Mrs. F. Hill, Mrs. J. Nicholls, Mrs. G. Elliott, the late Mrs. Wilton, late Miss Sutherland, and Mrs. Edgar, the president, the question of having a Plunket Nurse stationed in Te Kuiti was discussed. The secretary was instructed to write to the late Dr. Truby King for particulars of the proposed scheme and the outcome of the correspondence that passed was that a representative from the parent body visited Te Kuiti and addressed a public meeting convened by the Mayor, Mr. Hubert Hine. A provisional committee was elected with Mrs. Boles and Mrs. Dunkley added later to launch the scheme with Mrs. Edgar as convener.

The W.C.T.U. secured two rooms upstairs in Gough's buildings and the Council provided free electric light. The townspeople gave all the furniture necessary to make the rooms comfortable, and a nurse was duly appointed in 1923. For three years the Union paid the rent, which was met by contributions and musical afternoons and evenings. Later it was thought advisable to have a building on the ground floor and a public meeting was called, with the result that subscription lists were circulated and the town canvassed. Street stalls were also in evidence. By these efforts £3OO was raised and this was subsidised by the Borough Council, making approximately a total of £6OO. The electric light was installed by the joint efforts of the Plunket Society and the W.C.T.U.. The rooms were nicely furnished and these were presented to the Council to become their property. A silver key was purchased and handed to the Mayor for the official opening and the building was opened free of debt.

Mrs. Dunkley, treasurer of the Plunket Society, then spoke of her long association with Mrs. Edgar and of the good work she did in connection with the Plunket Society and Rest Room.

Mrs. Isaac, president of the Plunket Society, referred to the pioneering work of. the early members and the arduous tasks they encountered which made the way smoother for those who carried on.

The plaque was then unveiled by Mrs. Elliott, the ladies standing in silence as a mark of respect. The plaque is inscribed as follows: "In memory of Mrs. A. Edgar, President of the W.C.T.U., Founder of this Building, erected 1926." At the conclusion a dainty afternoon tea provided by Mrs. E. G. McKenzie and served in the Plunket Room, was much appreciated.