SOUTHLAND HOSPITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14460, 1 March 1909, Page 5

SOUTHLAND HOSPITAL

AN IMPORTANT ADDITION. (From On; Special CoimnsroNDKXT.t INYKHCAROILL, February 28. The ceremony of laying the foundationstone of the new surgical block being Iniiil at the Southland Hospital fnt the sum of £2600--the proceeds of Southland's lirsi • Hospital Saturday collection—look place mi Satmday afternoon. The chief apEnkers were Messrs A. F. Hawke ((hiiirmau of the 110.-pilal Trust), ,1. A. Hanan, M.P., W. IS. ticandrett (Mayor), James Ward (president of the. Hospital Saturday Association), and Archdeacon Stocker.

The function took the nature of a garden party,, tennis and croquet being played, and afternoon tea was provided. There was a very huge attendance of Hospital Saturday subscribers and collectors. An apology was received from the Prime Minister.

The actual ceremony was performed by Mr J*. A. llanan, who was, afterwards presented by the Hospital Trust with a gold trowel as a memento of an important, occasion.

Mr Haiiah, in laying the stone, expressed gratification at seeing so many present, as if indicated the interest that was taken in the hospital, which was one of the largest and most valuable institutions in the district. The attendance showed also that there was a general dcsiia to have the hospital well equipped in every way, and to have its usefulness extended. Southland was very proud of its hospital, and the liberal response that had recently been made to the appeal for help towards erecting a new, up-to-date operating theatre testified to tiro public appreciation of the good work done in the- institution and to the philanthropic feelings of the people, who had shown themselves in the past not- behind any part of the Dominion in cheerfully and liberally supporting movements for the public good. At no previous time in the world's history had there been such interest shown in human life, or such benevolent sympathy for, and generous aid given to, relieve human suffering. The hearts of all civilised people were becoming mom sensitive to every kind of wrong, s-nlicring, or want, and great was the desire evinced to diminish or prevent those afflictions. Ho thought there were many present who did not fully realise the great amount of unsellish and magniiicent humanitarian work done throughout the world. All the, lesourcrs ol mankind were devoted to the, discovery of new remedies or agents for the cure and alleviation of disease, to mitigate suffering, to prolong life, and increase human happiness. Remarkable were- the advances made by modern science in this connection. It was, he was convinced, by understanding and giving more direct and practical attention to primary causes or ,'ecds of disease, and to the pievention of those conditions which caused disease, that sickness and the need for hospitals would be reduced, (treat as were the discoveries of the past, Alley were -by scientists regarded as but glimpses, and awakened but a faint conception ol fulme achievements. The eyes of the whole world were inti Lilly and anxiously fixed upon tit'.i researches at:d experiments now being made to discover some treatment or measure.? that would bring those dreadful maladies cancer and consumption more completely under or subject to human "skill. He earnestly hoped that God would speed that memorable day when the glau news of success would he announced. In closing an interesting address Mr ITanan congratulated the people of Southland for their liberal response ».i an appeal which would give to the ho-pital a modern operating theatre properly equipped. He then uncovered the memorial stuna. and. in declaring it In he well and truly laid, expressed the wish that the Southland Hospital would be an ei'.dioing honour and an enduring monument'to the public, spirit and generosity of the people of Southland, and a source of incalculable benefit and blessing to the sick and suffering.—(Applause.)

Thii stone bears the inscription :—" This .surgical block was circled with funds subscribed by llic people (if Southland on Hospital Saturday, March 28, 1908."