A NOBLE BENEFACTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16842, 28 April 1915, Page 8

A NOBLE BENEFACTION.

Miss Jaxe Chalmers, of Ashburton, has removed a considerable difficulty and done a noble action in giving £BOOO towards the erection of a chronic ward at the Christchurch Hospital. For a considerable time efforts had been made before the war commenced to collect subscriptions for this very necessary work, but the movement was naturally sidetracked by other benevolent activities arising out of the war. It would probably have taken a long time, under tbe circumstances, to gather anything like enough money to erect an adequate ward if Miss Chalmers had not come forward so generously. There will, of course, be no difficulty in usefully laying out the money previously collected in some other suitable kindred work.' Miss Chalmer's gift will be subsidised by the Government, bringing the total amount available r<> nearly £IB,OOO, for which sum a large and handsome ward can be provided. Miss Chalmers has shown good sense and broadmindedness in giving to Christchurch where she might have localised her benefaction.' She realised, of course, that the expenditure will produce wider results, that the chronic ward will serve a, more useful purpose in this city than would have beeu the case if it were established at Ashburton. The request that poor patients from the Ashburton district shall receive special consideration as to fees is quite fair and reasonable, and <ve feel sure that the donor's wishes in tins matter will always be carried out faithfully. It is at all times a great pleasure to hear of benefactions of this kind, not only because of the immediate gain to the community affected but also because of the example that is set to other citizens who may have the means and be persuaded to have the inclination to do likewise. The vame of Miss Jane Cbalmers will be revered throughout Canterbury.