A POPULAR DOCTOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19551, 6 August 1925, Page 9

A POPULAR DOCTOR

PRESENTATION AT PORT CHALMERS. A pleasant function was held in the Town Hall at Port Chalmers last night to say an revoir to Dr W. H. Borrie, who is leaving Port Chalmers to reside in Dunedin. Dr Borrie has practised his profession at Port Chalmers for nearly 30 years, and in that period he ht;s mad© many friends and won the good wishes of the community. Several speakers testified to Dr Borrie’s value as a doctor and as a citizen, that gentleman having taken an active part in church work, in sports, and as a member of the School Committee, and a borough councillor, had done good work. The Mayor (Mr T. Anderson) presided, and lie briefly stated they bad met .to do (heir respect to Dr Borrie. , Mr J. Watson was the first speaker called on by tho chairman. He said it must be very gratifying to see so large an attendance there to do honour to Dr Borrie, who during his years in Port Chalmers had devoted his time and bis means to objects for the good of the community. Ho was well and favourably known to all present. They had assembled to tell him what they thought of him, for what he had done for the town was appreciated. They were there to give him a good “pat on the back.’ (Applause) Mr Watson did not know whether the doctor had accumulated many dollars during his residence among them, but they did know he came as a bachelor, and was leaving with a sweet little wife and healthy children. So he had not been treated too badly in Port_ Chalmers. (Laughter.) A doctor’s work m a scattered district like Port Chalmers was very arduous, and it was surprising now ho had found the time ho had devoted to promoting the interests of tho place. Midnight calls to Purakanui or the Heads were not unknown. They all regretted his departure, and it would bo hard to get a man to fill the shoes of so good a citizen. In Dunedin the doctor would find a wider scope for his abilities. The speaker did not not know the reason why the doctor was leaving them, but ho was still ambitious, and there were greater opportunities in the oily and no doubt he wished to excel, and he might yet be Chancellor of the University or some such position of responsiThey all wished him good health anfl prosperity. While in Port Chalmers the doctor had been a pillar of the Church, a useful member of the School Committee, a member and supporter of all the sports associations of the town, and as a member of the Borough Council had been a livewire. To sum it all up, Dr Borne was a Christian gentleman. . " , , Mr J. Y. Love said Dr Borne could always be depended on to assist in anything of a progressive nature. Mr N. Dods said the doctor’s ready sympathy and helpfulness had won the affection' of the community. Messrs J. H. Crawford, J. Tait, W. J. Wilson, E. Booth, and G. A. Wiseman also made brief mention. An illuminated address was presented to Dr Borrie. In making the presentation, the Mayor said it was hard to lose a man of Dr Borrie’s calibre. Other speakers had covered the ground very fully, but his Worship said he wished to mention that Dr Borrie was largely, if not wholly, responsible for getting the local cottage hospital, and that had been a valuable institution. A framed photograph of the members of the local Cricket Club was presented to Dr Borrie in recognition of his services to cricket. Dr Borrie said bo was afraid be had been extolled for good qualities he did not possess. He bad always experienced kindness, and one of those experience were at tho hands of tho Natives at the Kafk. He thanked them sincere.lv for_ their good wishes and the presents, which he would treasure.