LONG SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 117, 18 April 1939, Page 8

LONG SERVICE

ON HOSPITAL STAFF. DR PEACH’S RETIREMENT. After many years of service to the Palmerston North Hospital Board, in recent years principally as obstetrician, Dr C. W. Peach tendered his resignation yesterday, when he forwarded the following letter to a meeting of the hoard “It is only now the time lias come for me to sever my connection with tile Hospital as a member of the staff that I have fully realised the signiennee of the lines, ‘None but those who love can tell how sad it is to say farewell.’ I can truly say that T have loved my work at (lie Hospital. It is a very long time now since the late Dr A. A. Martin asked me to join the staff as nnnethetist. Since then I have seen many changes and have held nearly every position, including that of medical officer in charge.

“It was, however, when I lie maternity annexe was opened and T was appointed to the position of obstetrician that I really came into my own proper sphere, as maternity work has always been and always will be my particular specialty.

“You have, in the maternity home, an institution of which you may ho justly proud. Tt will compare more than favourably with any similar place anywhere, and it is giving a service to motherhood second to none. For this happy state of affairs you arc mostly indebted to the two splendid women (Sisters M. A. Henderson and D. Heaps) you have had in charge since the opening.” Both, added Dr Peach, had that quality so difficult to define but without which all the knowledge and theory was like something excellent in a bottle of which the cork could not be drawn. They had a wonderful way with them, which was so very important when dealing with expectant mothers and relatives on the one side, and also supervising and touching the pupil nurses on the other. “It has been for me the happiest time of my term as a member of the Hospital staff, and it is with the deepest regret that [ give it up. 1 should like also to express my heartfelt appreciation of the more than cordial relations that, have always existed between us. Our relations have always been of the friendliest, and T shall always look hack upon the years spent as a member of the Hospital staff ns among the most pleasant of my life. I have seen the Hospita grow from a modest beginning to the splendid institution it now is, and hope to live to see it still expanding its size and its sphere of usefulness.” The chairman (Mr J. A. Nash) paid a warm tribute to the valuable work done by Dr Peach, particularly during the War years, and expressed regret that he was in indifferent health. On the motion of Mr A. E. Hansford, it was decided to place on record the board’s sincere and deep appreciation of the services rendered by Dr Peach over a long period of years.