PUBLIC RECOGNITION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 251, 20 September 1933, Page 12

PUBLIC RECOGNITION

SERVICES TO HOSPITAL MR & MRS J. A. NASH HONOURED Public recognition of a quarter of a century of service on the Palmerston North Hospital Board by Mr J. A. Nasi, M.P., was expressed at a complimeiitai’y social held in his honour at the Opera House, last evening, the function having been arranged by the Mayor (Mr A. 15. Mansford), who P re » sided, and a group of leading citizens. The presentation ol a handsome silver teapot was made to Mr and Airs Nash as a. tangible mark of appreciation, warm tributes being paid to the unshaken fidelity by both to the city over a long period.

The guests of honour were received with loud applause when they made their appearance on the platform. Apologies for absence were received from Mr and Mrs L. A. Abraham, the latter of whom was indisposed. Air Abraham, in an appropriate message, stated that he was thoroughly, in accord with the sentiments of the function as he felt that Air Nash had doue splendid work on behalf of the Hospital. Air F. J. Nathan, in forwarding an apology for absence through having to keep a prior engagement, expressed his appreciation of the efforts of Air Nash over a period of 25 years for the Hospital as well as in other avenues of public life for Palmerston North. Air G. HBennett, who sent a letter of apology for bis absence, stated that if anyone in the city deserved recognition it was Air Nash for his fine work. Air' T. R. Hodder sent a letter voicing similar sentiments. Ensign Thorne wrote conveying the sincere appreciation by the Salvation Army of all the sacrifice and toil by Air Nash for the welfare of the Hospital, stating that they had been impressed by his loyalty and devotion. Other apologies for absence were received from Air and Airs W. L. Fitzherbert, Air and Airs Dick, Air and Airs A. J. Graham, Air and Airs W. B. Tennent, Air and Airs H. B Free, Alesdames J. A. Alcßea, J. H. Whyte, W. J. Phillips, Airs E. A. Collins and her two daughters, Alessrs H. F. Gibbons, W. Keeling, R. S. Abraham, W. H. Brown and Adam McDonald. GROWTH OF INSTITUTION. The chairman of the Palmerston North Hospital Board (Air J. K. Hornblow) stated that he appreciated the invitation to join with the citizens in paying a tribute to both Air and Airs Nash. Foxton had been famous in the past for its flax, floods and fires, but bad also produced a very fine citizen of Palmerston North in Air Nash, who was a member of the Hospital Board away back in 1909, had done long and valuable work in that capacity and watched the institution grow to its present fine stage of development. The late Sir James Wilson had introduced into the House of Representatives legislation enabling the establishment of the hospital district, and a cottage institution came into existence. Subsequently _ tlie size and usefulness of the Hospital were increased. Alany names were associated with the wonderful development of the institution. To-day the hospital district, extending from Waikanae in the south to Hunterville in the north, was one of the largest in New Zealand and catered for 60,000 people. Apart from the delightful Old People’s Home at Awapuni, the Hospital had grown from an institutution of 40 beds at the time Mr Nash joined the board to one of 200 beds, with the best facilities of modern medical science. The maternity annexe was doing splendid work and its existence was due largely to the enterprise and activities of Mr Nash in securing Government assistance. He had played a most prominent part in the development of the sixth most important hospital in New Zealand. It was also one of the best staffed and administered institutions. The Palmerston North Hospital Board had more recently assumed control of the Otaki sanatorium, and Air Nash had taken an active part in the negotiations. The board was conducting the institution just as well as did the Health Department. Air Hornblow further eulogised the fine work of Air Nash and the splendid assistance of Airs Nash. Like others who had done yeoman service for the Hospital, he would be sadly missed. Palmerston North had been fortunate and particularly well served by the men and women who had represented it. Finally, the speaker paid a tribute to the matrons and medical staff who had served the institution, of which, he said, all should be proud. During the epidemic of 1918, Air Nash, with Dr. Whitaker, had made splendid arrangements, and from time to time had made successful appeals on behalf of the Hospital. He had been associated with the District Nursing Committee for nearly 30 years, and still occupied the position of chairman. GREAT SACRIFICES ENTAILED. Supplementing these marks, Air B. J, Jacobs, president of the Palmerston North branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and a member of the Alanawatu Patriotic Society, expressed thanks for ilie continued courtesy extended to the R.S.A. in asking representatives of that organisation to participate in civic functions. They, were assembled as citizens to do honour to another citizen for a generous, just and genuine de. votion to service, he said. They could not be blinded to the earnest desires actuating Air Nash’s motives in offering his services, or be stinted in their appreciation. His duties to the board must have entailed great sacrifices, and the present function must be some gratification to Air and Airs Nash for their work. On behalf of the organisations ho represented, Mr Jacobs joined in the eulogies of their services, commenting that the function was particularly appropriate. Speaking on behalf of the Palmerston North Plunket Society, Colonel J. H. Whyte said that Airs Nash was the “mother of the movement” at this centre, having been the first president, while Mr Nash was on~the advisory committee. Both had been of great assistance to the society and Mr Nash had been instrumental in securing the site for the present fine rooms. Representing the District Nursing Guild. Mr J. A. McLeavev added his tribute, stating that Mr Nash had always been straight and true as a friend. Mr Nash had always been an energetic chairman and never neglected his duty. If he put his hand to anything he did it well. The speaker had known Air Nash since 1885, and possibly no citizen had done more for Palmerston North. GESTURE OF GOODWILL. The Mayor expressed regret that the weather had been so inclement for the occasion, or the building would have been crowded to the doors. The social had been arranged at the request of a large number of citizens to show their goodwill towards Air Nash for his magnificent and faithful work over a continuous period of 25 years as a city representative on the 'Hospital Board. It would be presumptuous to recapitulate his lengthy ser-

vice in many capacities, but with untiring effort and conspicuous ability lie had built up an aggregate of over 260 years of public service, which was probably a record for the Dominion. The guest of honour had been 28 years a member of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, and part ol that time its chairman, 15 years Mayor, 15 years membqr of Parliament, 20 years on tlie Hospital Board, 20 years chairman of the District Nursing Committee, 24 years on the l 1 oxton Harbour Board, 15 years a member and chairman of the Palmerston North Fire Board, 20 years a member of the Alanawatu A. and P. Association, ol which he was a past president, and 2Z years a member of the High Schools Board, of which he was for a long period chairman. While some might differ from him in matters of policy, all knew that in his every action he had the interests of the city and its people at heart. He was a first-class optimist and that quality had carried him through public life. He had always taken an active interest in the social and civic life of Palmerston North, and placed the weight of his support behind everything having for its object the progress and betterment of the city. It must be gratifying to him to see the remarkable progress made by the centre he had served so long and faithfully. , r Continuing, Mr Mansford said Mrs Nash had been responsible for raising the whole of the money in connection with the consumptive annexe at the Hospital. Air Nash had been instrumental in securing an increased grant for Otaki Hospital, did great work during the 1918 epidemic and for the 1931 earthquake refugees, and had carried out great activities on behalf ot the Hospital. It would have been impossible for him to have accomplished all he had in public life without the co-oj>eration of an able partner in Airs The Mayor added that the unshaken fidelity of both Air and Airs Nash to the city had won them the esteem and respect of all the citizens. He hoped the train of their future life would be freighted with prosperity, just as it was laden with the best wishes of all. He then asked Air Nash to accept as a slight acknowledgement of his continuous and faithful service a handsome silver teapot. WORK OF PLEASURE.

Greeted with applause on rising to reply, Air Nash stated that lie wondered how. much he deserved all that was said. Twenty-five years’ service to one institution alone was a fairly large slice out of one’s lifetime, but his association with* the Hospital had always been a real pleasure. On many occasions the rules had been far exceeded in relieving those in distress. He had seen the institution grow, and recalled the great bazaar lasting one month, and organised by the late Air and Mrs G. M. Snelson as Alayor and Alayoress, to provide funds for the establishment of the Hospital. They realised what it meant in those days for patients to have to go to Wanganui. Hospital administration in those days was not an authorised charge on the ratepayers and immediately the legislation granting that power was enacted much of the old voluntary help faded away. Air Nash paid a tribute to the past matrons, including Miss AlcLagan and Sister AlcGhie,. the latter of, whom had returned to the institution restored in health. They could not forget the nightly vigils of the nursing staff, who had been termed “angels of mercy.” The late Air Walter Rutherfurd had played a most prominent part among others in the early affairs of the Hospital. He had carried the confidence and goodwill of all, and his name was his monument. Every member associated with the Hospital work had been imbued with the ideal of rendering the best possible service in alleviating the distress of the sick and suffering. A debt of gratitude was owing to the honorary medical staff for their services to the institution.

Air Nash said he had not been alone in his work on behalf of the Hospital and in the 1918 epidemic. Others had done great service, among those who helped being his wife, who had given assistance for five weeks in the food depot. Air Nash thanked all the speakers for their kindly references to Airs Nash and himseif, and the committee responsible for promoting the gathering. He was most grateful to all. Ho did not think any man could have had a better help-meet than he had had in Airs Nash, and he was afraid that at times the strain on her had been great. The gathering was a great recompense and the presentation would be cherished in remembrance of the Hospital Board work and a large circle of friends. (Applause.) Items were contributed by tlie Garrison Band as an expression of apapreciation of the splendid work done by Air Nash over a long period on its behalf; also by Alesdames J. K. Paton and 11. Law and Aliss G. McKenzie (instrumental trio), Alisses N. Whalley, M. Walker, D. Cameron, and Alessrs A. AlcKegg, J. Jones, T. E. Douds and B. J. Jacobs (songs), the programme being greatly, appreciated. The accompaniments were played by Aliss D. Stevens. The Alayor expressed thanks to the entertainers, and was himself heartily thanked on the motion of Air Jacobs for presiding.