SIR THOMAS SIDEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22052, 7 September 1933, Page 2

SIR THOMAS SIDEY

SERVICES TO DENTAL PROFESSION MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED The gratitude of the members of the dental profession for the assistance which they had received from Sir Thomas Sidey found expression yesterday afternoon in the unveiling of a tablet to his memorv in the entrance hall of the Dental* School of the University of Otago. The president of the New Zealand Dental Association (Mr D. V. Donaldson) presided at a brief ceremony during which speakers stressed the importance of the work done by Sir Thomas Sidey in bringing about the establishment of the Dental School and in having placed on the Statute Book legislation for the protection of the profession and the public. “We are gathered to do honour to one who was a great friend of the dental profession in New Zealand and who did a tremendous amount of work

to assist the Dental Association and the school, said the president, who called on Mr T. A. Hunter, a founder and original member of the association, to pay a tribute on behalf of the association to Sir Thomas Sidey’s services. Mr Hunter stated that he considered that it was not necessary at this time for him to refer to the many services rendered to the Dominion by Sir Thomas Sidey during his lifetime, as a private citizen, member of Parliament, or Minister of the Crown. There was, however, one activity in Sir Thomas’s life which had not been given the prominence which it deserved. It was now over 28 years since a meeting had been held in Dunedin to discuss the question of forming a dental association for New Zealand. This step had been considered necessary in the best interests not only of the profession but also of the public generally. The result of the meeting had been the formation of the association. At the first meeting of the new association it had been decided that steps be taken for the establishment.of a dental school, and further that an effort be made to have amended legislation placed on the Statute Book which would protect the public as well as the school. This step forward had required a much greater effort at that time than might be imagined to-day. He considered that one of the most fortunate steps the new

association had ever taken had been to approach Mr Sidey (as he then was), placing its views before him and asking his assistance. Idealising that this forward move was in the public interest as well as that of the profession, he had promised his support. “ The manner in which he kept his promise is best known only to a section of our profession,” Mr Hunter continued. “ I have said that the task was not an easy one, but, with that tenacity of purpose which characterised his work for any good cause, he never relaxed his efforts. His services, both professional as well as political, were always at the disposal of the executive of the association. The result you know. A dental school was established, and legislation protecting the public as well as the profession was placed on the Statute Book. But this is not all, for during the history of the school he proved a most munificent benefactor, showing that his interest had never abated. “In this busy world of strife and turmoil we are apt to forget the good done by those who have gone before, and I wish on behalf of the profession to thank the executive of the association for giving us the privilege and the opportunity of expressing in this simple way to the family, as well as to the public, our appreciation of the services rendered by Sir Thomas Sidey, and also

to thank the University Council for allowing our humble tribute to be housed in this building with a view to perpetuating the memory of one who did so much for us.” After the tablet had been unveiled by Lady Sidey the president asked the Chancellor of the University (Mr W. J. Morrell) to accept it as tangible evidence of the association’s gratitude to Sir Thomas Sidey. The chancellor thanked the association for the happy thought that had prompted the erection of the tablet. The University, he stated, valued greatly the keen and constant interest shown by the association and the school. To the association, working with Sir Thomas Sidey, was really due the foundation of the school, to the cause of which Sir Thomas had been devoted. Great and unremitting as had been his services to education, and the University in particular, there had been no school in which he had taken a keener and more personal interest than the Dental School, the progress of which he had watched with the greatest care. It was appropriate that his services should be commemorated in the school. The chancellor assured the association that the tablet would always be valued in the school as a lasting encouragement to continue the work begun so happily under the joint assistance of the association and Sir Thomas Sidey.