NEW PRIVATE HOSPITAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 151, 27 May 1938, Page 4

NEW PRIVATE HOSPITAL.

' OPENING CEREMONY. Much interest was taken in the official opening of the new private hospital in Feilding, yesterday afternoon, when, following the speeches, the doors were thrown open and the public, who were well represented, inspected the interior. Baskets of autumn flowers and foliage adorned the vestibule, while along the corridor bowls of similar flowers were artistically arranged. Mr J. S. Tingey, chairman of directors, on behalf of the directors and shareholders of the hospital, extended a hearty welcome to the ceremony to the Mayor, .Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., Mr V. E. Smith, Feilding’s representative on the Palmerston North Hospital Board, Mrs A. C. McCorkindale, president of the Feilding Plunket Society, and Mr D. C. Cullinane, trustee of the society. The speaker apologised for the absence of Mr R. - M. Watson, S.M. Dealing with the construction of the hospital, Mr Tingey sakl that although the public of Feilding and district had hoped for many years that . the authorities would build a hospital in Feilding, and had made representations to this end many times, it had been considered by the Palmerston North Hospital authorities that the difficulties in the way of establishing a' branch hospital, together with all the surrounding circumstances, were sufficient to preclude the authorities from meeting the request. Now local enterprise had come to the rescue and the ’ result was before them to-day—a wellequipped private hospital, up-to-date in every respect and ready to give the surgical and medical treatment to those requiring it. Much of the credit for the establishment of the institution, continued Mr Tingey, was due to the initiative and enterprise of the medical men concerned. Although most of the capital required was supplied by residents in Feilding and surrounding district,- Mr Tingey desired to make it plain that, the directors could not have gone ahead with their scheme without the very substantial aid of Miss Flower, matron of the Northcote Private Hospital, Palmerston North. Miss Flower was well acquainted with the medical men and enthusiastically supported the scheme, giving of her services most freely in regard to the equipping and staffing of the hospital. The directors were indebted to Mr C. H. Sayers, the architect, for his experience and skill in drawing the plans and specifications, - all of which had been faithfully followed; to Mr R. Burne, the contractor, for his efficient and faithful work in the construction; and to the sub-contractors, Mr T. Tricklebank, who was responsible for the intricate plumbing work; Messrs McLeod and Svendsen, electians, and Mr G. H. Fowler, the painter. Mr Cobbe congratulated the directorate on the fine building they had provided, a. work which reflected enterprise. ’ Great credit was due to those whose enterprise was he Inna the scheme. The institution would fill a very great need and he was sure its completion would be welcomed by the residents as well as the settlers of the surrounding countryside. Mr Cobbe wished the venture every succsss. The Mayor, who was then called upon to open the hospital, was first congratulated by Mr Tingey on lus -election to the Mayoral chair. One of the redeeming ieatures of our civilisation, said Mr Seddon, was the solicitude shown for the sick and the care of those that were distressed in mind or body. In that measure the Ranfury private hospital had been designed s and came into being and it gave the speaker the greatest pleasure in his "first public duty to open such an institution. Although the hospital had been built by private enterprise it was for the public good and the community would he the richer for it. It gave Mr Seddon the greatest pleasure to draw attention to the fact that the matron in charge of the hospital was a Feilding girl—Miss Millicent Barltrop. Mr Seddon went on to pay a tribute to the members of the medical profession whose close contact with life prevented them from forming false impressions of human nature. Mr Seddon concluded by formally declaring the building open and extended his personal congratulations to the share-

holders and directors on their enterprise. The nursing staff of the hospital, in addition to the matron, Miss M. Barltrop, includes Sisteps M. It. Rex and J. MV Bunny (Wellington; and Nurses G. , Corkhill, of Cheltenham,' and Reynolds, of Masterton.