PRESENTATION TO DR. MAC KELLAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6827, 3 October 1883, Page 6

PRESENTATION TO DR. MAC KELLAR.

Dr. E. D. Mackellar, late House Surgeon at the Provincial District Hospital, and who is leaving for Dunedin, was yesterday presented with a testimonial, signed by upwards of 500 residents of Auckland, patients, and others. Tbe presentation was made at the Chamber of Commerce. Amongst those present were—Archdeacon Mannsell, Dr. Purchas, Mr. 8, E. Hughes, jun., Captain D. H. McKenzie, and other gentlemen; also, Miss Crisp (Lady Superintendent of the Hospital), Mrs. Anaell, Miss Carter. Mrs. Hughes, and other ladies. Captain McKenzie occupied the chair.

In making the presentation, the Chaieman said: Ladies and Gentlemen, —Ton are aware of the reason why we have met here to-day—namely, to make a presentation to Dr. Mackellar, on the occasion of his retiring from the position of Resident Surgeon at the Hospital. I may say that it was only a short time ago that I was called upon to occupy this position, and 1 have not had much time to think over the matter ; but in a very few words I shall say all I have to say on the subject, I think it will be a consolation to Dr. Mackellar to know that the skill and ability with which he has conducted his duties while in charge of tbe Hospital is shown by the testimonial now to be presented to him signed by upwards of 500 of the general, ptfblic of Anck r land ; also, by the majority of the visiting staff of the Hospital, and I believe by the patients and officials of the Hospital, which speaks very highly of the conduct of his duties when in charge. The presentation made to you, Dr. Mackellar, by the nurses, servants, and othera employed about the Hospital, shows the appreciation in which you are held by those who have the beat opportunity to judge of your character and conduct to those under your immediate authority. A large section of the public are ander the impression that Dr. Mackellar haa been treated in an arbitary manner by the Hospital Committee, to say the least of it, particularly when we know that no reason has been assigned why he should cease to occupy the position he has held for some time past. In inaugurating a new thing or system, such as Dr. Mackellar had to do when he first took charge of the Hospital, there are very great difficulties, as we all are well aware, particularly ' when a system is changed. Very few indeed have succeeded in giving satisfaction in the position Dr. Mackellar was called upon to occupy at the time, and I think it is the general opinion that he haa not had time enough given him to give him a fair trial, aud also to Bhow what he could do in managing the Hospital. I think that the expressions now put forth by the pnblic in presenting this testimonial will at least be a consolation to Dr. Mackellar. I have much pleasure in calling on the Secretary to read tbe address.

Mr. S. E. Hughes, jun., then read the addresa as follows:—

Auckland, New Zealand, September 12, 18S3: Edward Duncan Mackellar, M.D. C.M.,—We, the undersigned patients in tbe Auckland Provincial District Hospital and ethers resident in Auckland, having learned with sorrow and concern that you are about to leave us, desire to erpress oar great esteem for yon personally, and to assure you of our gratitude for yonr unceasing kindness, care, and attention to the patients nnrier yonr charge as House Surgeon at the Hospital. We also desire to express oar admiration for tbe great skill and knowledge displayed by yon in the performance of yonr duties. Heartily wishing you may meet with the success to which your skill and kindncß3 so well entitle you,—We are, Sir, yours most respectfully (signed on behalf of the patients and others resident in Auckland), Annie Alice Crisp (Lady Superintendent), Henry C. Lewis, Thomas Hill. Murray Moore, M.D. M.R.C.S.; W.G. Auckland, Bishop; Bobert Maunsell, Archdeacon ; B. T. Dudley, Archdeacon ; C. S. S. George, J. Dacre, Wm. Stoekwell, L.R.C.S., Edin., late Visiting Staff; C. 11. Haines, M. A. M.D. M.C., Visiting Staff: J. fl. Hooper, M.R.C.S. Eng., Visiting Staff ; £. K. Cooper, S. Coombes, S. Jaggar, D. H. McKenzie (Chairman), S. E. Hnghet, jun. (Hon. Sec.). J I

The Chairman then said: I have much pleasure, Dr. Mackellar, in presenting you with this testimonial on behalf of the citizens of Auckland; also, with this parchment signed by all the patients and by about 500 othera. It ia a pity that Anckland should lose Dr. Mackellar's services. He has attained the highest honours in his University aud his profession, and at some fnture time we hope his services will be made use of. In a short time, as the city progresses and population increases, we will have a medical school in connection with the University, and it is hoped by Bome residents—and I believe largely—that Dr. Mackellar's services might be made use of in connection with that medical school as a teacher in our University. (Applause.)

Dr. Mackellar, in reply, said: —Mr. Chairman, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—l cannot express tho pleasnre and gratification I feel in the testimonial you have presented me. It has been so largely signed by the residents of Auckland—many of those signing, in fact the majority, not being personally known to me—that it seems clear that it is the general impression that I have endeavoured as far as possible—in the face of some difficulties, I must confess—to perform my duties at the Hospital in the way which I understood was best for the benefit of the public and the institution. I think it is not taking too much upon myself if I say that that seems to be the general impression. Perhaps I may also refer to the fact that a few days ago I received a present from the officials, nurses, and patients in the Hospital. That present gave me very great pleasure. It was valuable in itself, but it had a particular value to me, because it seemed to indicate very clearly indeed that those who saw me every day, and knew everything 1 did, to whom my own private life was quite familiar, had very warm feelings towards me, and felt that I hisd done my beßt for their welfare. I have great reasons for feeling thankful at this presentation. About nine months ago I came to Auckland a perfect stranger to tho city aud to colonial life. I came from a country where customs were quite different— to an entirely now state of society. I have been here not much more than half a-year; and now when I go away I am treated as if I had been an old and popular resident, who had no need to explain or defend his own position. In the midst of so much pleasant feeling, I do not care to bring up anything invidious, but I think I should mention a matter which happened to appear on one occasion in connection with my resignation— I refer to the amount of alcoholic stimulants used at the Hospital. This ia hardly tho timo to state my own views as to alcohol as a medicine ; but with reference to the consumption of alcoholic stimulants at tho Hospital, perhaps the public may think that I was not sufficiently careful in seeing how the stimulants were used, or perhaps that I may be too fond of making people well (?) by pouring alcohol into them. Of course the majority of those present do not know the working of the Hospital, and will require to take my word for it when I say that thoso Btimulants were not received by me from tho tradesmen who supplied them, were not ordered by mo for patients except in raro ana generally urgent cases, and were not issued to the patients by me; therefore my share in the matter was very small indeed. It may not also be forgotten that at the meeting of the committee a prominent member of that body—l refer to Mr.' J. M. Clark—said, if my memory serves me true, that i was impracticable, and seemed wanting in common sense. I do not attach the least value to this statement, and wish it to be forgotten, because subsequently Mr. Clark, in the presence of other members of the committee, said he never meant the remarks to be made public, they had given him great annoyance, and he withdrew them. You, who know Mr. Clark so well, could only expect that he Bhould act in this straightforward way. In conclusion, I think it would be ungracious in mo if I did not oxpress my appreciation of the impartiality of tho Auckland Press. In any questions affecting the Hospital and myself, it has stated matters free from party feeling, and looked at the truth and the truth only* I again express my thanks to you for your kindnesß. (Applause.)

Archdeacon Maunskll said: It is my duty as a clergyman to visit the patients at tho Hospital once a week. lam very thankful to Dr. Mackellar for the kindness and courtesy with w.hich he received me, and holped me in my visits. In discharging my duties amongst the patients, I used to have to talk to them and ask them how they were getting on, how they liked the Hospital, and how they were treated, and I may say that I heard one uniform testimony from them all, that things were in a very improved state. I have pleasure in stating that ono of these patients told me that, having heard of the ability of Dr. Mackellar, he had come up from Tauranga for the purpose of placing himself under his care.

Two persons who had been patients there spoke highly of the way in which they were treated at the Hospital, Dr. Mackollar being unwearying in his attention to them. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the proceedings terminated.