SERVICES RECOGNISED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23463, 30 March 1938, Page 7

SERVICES RECOGNISED

HOSPITAL BOARD’S OFFICERS FAREWELL FROM ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Members of the Otago Hospital Board’s administrative staff met yesterday afternoon to bid farewell to two members who have rendered valuable service to the community over a large number of years—Miss E. P. Tennent (matron of the Dunedin Hospital) and Mr P. J. Priest (the board’s chief clerk), who are retiring at the end of this month. The chairman of the board (Mr J W Dove) presided. The chairman said that they were present to bid farewell to two members of the board’s administrative staff who had been with them for many years and who had rendered devoted service to the community He referred to Mr Priest’s prowess on the Rugby football field and recalled incidents connected with his association with the game. Mr Priest, he said, had ..given yeoman service to the city as a member of the board’s staff, and he would, ne felt sure, continue to do so in his retirement. The board was equally

satisfied with the work of Miss Tennent since her appointment. The board and the city would always be indebted to her for her services, and the hundreds of girls who had jpassed through her hands would remember her for years to come. He wished them both a happy retirement. On behalf of the administrative staff, Dr J. Thomson, medical superintendent, referred to Miss Tennent’s high ideal of duty. Her first thought, he said, was always for the patients, and her staff came next. Her sympathy, enthusiasm, and loyalty were reflected in the high position the Hospital Board held in the public esteem. This was undoubtedly due in large measure to Miss Tennent’s work. In presenting her with a cheque from the administrative staff, he wished her many happy years of retirement. Miss Tennent briefly replied and stated that the staff was noted for its generosity, and expressed her deep thanks for its gift. Any success she had attained in her position could not have been possible without the co-operation of the staff. The board’s secretary (Mr John Jacobs) said that Mr Priest, like himself, had been engaged in the more mundane side of the board’s work. Mr Priest had been a faithful servant of the board, and it was difficult to say farewell to him. All members of the staff wished Mr and Mrs Priest a long period of happiness in their retirement, and on behalf of the staff he presented Mr Priest with a rug and travelling case. Mr Jacobs also wished Miss Tennent a happy retirement. Replying, Mr Priest said that during his 28 years with the board he had seen many changes, and he referred to the work of several former members of the board who had rendered the community valuable service. He mentioned that Mr Jacobs was the sole survivor of the first administrative staff, having joined in 1910, when there was a staff of only four or five compared with 20 now. He thanked the chairman and Mr Jacobs for their kindness to him and the members of the staff for their co-operation at all times. He, too, wished Miss Tennent long life, health, and happiness in her retirement.