LATE DR. HERBERT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18235, 2 November 1933, Page 2

LATE DR. HERBERT

PROMINENT SURGEON VARIED PUBLIC SERVICE Following an illness lasting) two or three weeks, the death occurred on Tuesday of Dr. W. E. Herbert, one ot Wellington’s most prominent surgeons and a man of numerous and varied public activities. Dr. Herbert was born at Lawrence, Otago, m 1872, being, .the. son of ; Mr. John E. Herbert, a landowner of lapanui. lie was educated at the ]{iii-li School, Dunedin, and after a short period at Otago University, proceeded; to Edinburgh University. After graduation, he was. a, house surgeon, at layer, pool, and came under the influence ot the late Sir Robert Jones, whose surgical work* for soldiers was famous duung the Great: War. Dr. Herbert commenced private prac, tire in Wellington in partnership, with the lute Dr. Albert Martin, and Ins high professional and personal qualities brought him a large practice. He was. appointed to the honorary staff of the Wellington Hospital, and did excellent surgical work. WORK FOR HOSPITAL Dr Herbert did much for Wellington Hospital. He was prominent, m. rthe raising of money to build a new cluldreu’s hospital; and also in helping to raise mouev for the purchase -oi- largo supplies of radium, winch lias become increasingly useful for the treatment oi cancer, and is now in the service of the Cancer Campaign clinic. Dr Herbert devoted a .great deal of attention to other aspects . of pub m health, ,and lent his assistance to the establishment in New Zealand to the first health department in ..the- Hmtsh; Empire, liis esialilishment pf the .Boweiej street Hospital followed observation pel hospitals in the United States .after several visits to that country, during -which, he became a personal friend of the Ala\ o\ brothers, lie was a vice-president ol the Children’s Health Camp Association, and was interested in the movement from its inception. He was an active supporter of the Plunket Society, and with the lielp of the Rotary Club, of winch he was at one time president, took a large part in the establishment of the Karitune Hospital. In the Great War, Dr. Herbert served with the rank of major, and rendered notable service in the New Zealand military hospitals in England/ He maintained 'his interest in the returned, soldiers, and was the Returned .Soldiers Association representative on the War Pensions Appeal Board. Ho was also keenly interested ip spoit Dr. Herbert was a Freemason. For many years up to the time of, his death he was a director of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society Life Office. Dr. Herbert married Miss Florence Gilmer, daughter of the , late Hon,Hamilton Gilmer, who survives him,- as do his three daughters—Mrs.. Jeffery Manning (living in Karachi, India), Mrs. Charles Levin, and Miss Betty Herbert.