THE CHALMERS WARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17100, 24 February 1916, Page 6

THE CHALMERS WARD.

Nor only Christchurch hut the whole of Canterbury is under n debt of gratitude to Miss Chalmers for the gift of a hospital ward of which the foundation stone was laid yesterday. Appropriately, the stone was laid by the donor in person.' A gift of £BOOO is not such a common event that we should allow yesterday’s ceremony to pass without acknowledging Ihe benefit bestowed on suffering humanity. YVith the Government subsidy £16,000 is available for the erection of a large, up-to-date hospital for cases of permanent illness'. . There arc few objects more pathetic than a chronic invalid, who is denied probably tho slenderest hope of recovery, and one would need a heart of stone to withhold sympathy. But kindness of heart is very much more to the purpose when it takes the practical turn of a generous gift, like that of Miss Chalmers. The touching story is told in another column of how the benefactress was moved to her decision through witnessing the sufferings of a relative in a long illness. YVc may be sure that. Miss Chalmers has saved many another invalid from a considerable part of the suffering they would otherwise have endured. 3he new ward will soon grow into a, stately building, dedicated to a noble purpose. The fund that was in course of collection when Miss Chalmers so handsomely came to the rescue with her cheque will now be diverted to a kindred cause, the provision of a special hospital for women. A fair sum of money is wanted for that, so that there is an opportunity for anybody so disposed to emulate the noble example of our Ashburton benefactress;