HONOURING NURSE PEIPER.

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 28, 11 October 1902, Page 9

HONOURING NURSE PEIPER.

One of the- most enjoyable social gatherings ever held in Invercargill was that which took place in Ashley’s Hall on Thursday evening by way of welcome to Miss D, Peiper, who volunteered for duty in South Africa soon after the outbreak of hostilities. Over 200 persons assembled in response to the invitations sent out by the Committee, and the company was a thoroughly representative one. The presence of volunteer officers in uniform, of members of local governing bodies and other citizens, to say nothing of the throng of young people, testified to the popularity of Horse Peiper. The first part of the evening was devoted to progressive euchre, no fewer than 34 tables being in use, and then followed a well-served supper. This over, His Worship the Mayor (Mr C. S. Longuet) recalled the fact that nearly three years had elapsed since Mias Peiper left Invercargill to undertake duty in South Africa. He wished to tell her, on behalf of the people, bow much they appreciated the work she had done, and the manner in which she had represented them in South Africa. (Applause.) While doing her work there she had been attacked by illness, but had made a good recovery, and was now with them once more, and in the enjoyment of good health. Miss Peiper was leaving the district shortly, but the day might come when they would have her with them again, and in that event she could depend upon receiving a right hearty welcome. After referring to the admirable work done by the nursing staffs in tending the sick and wounded, Mr Longuet, addressing Miss Peiper, who was escorted to the platform by Mr M. Hawkins, presented her, on behalf of the civilians of the town, with two beautiful gold rings, one set with opals and the other with diamonds, and hoped that she would be long spared to wear them and to continue the career of usefulness which she had begun so early in life.

I Major Hawkins, "U.D., said that events had proved that New Zealand had sent brave and worthy men to South Africa to fight side by side with the soldiers of the King; and more than that, the colony had also sent kind and loving sisters to succour and tend those men in their hour of need. The noble band of nurses had acquitted themselves most creditably, and he was delighted to know that their guest bad done so well during the campaign. On behalf of the military, whom he had the honour to represent, he had very great pleasure in asking her to accept a small token of their esteem (handing the lady, who was led forward by Oapt. Lennie, a very handsome bangle set with opals), and be trusted she would be long spared to wear it, and whenever it encircled her wrist he hoped it would remind her of the circle of friends she possessed in Invercargill. (Applause). Mr John Stead, chairman of the Southland Hospital Trust, said that the members appreciated the honour done to Nurse Peiper all the more from the fact that she had started her career in tbe Southland Hospital, and, with Miss Brebner, had been one of the first to volunteer for service—this, too, before there was any stir of popular enthusiasm in the matter. Mr Stead, in a few happy sentences, then presented Miss Peiper with a silver sugar basiu and spoons, the gift, he said, of an anonymous donor, who wished to show his appreciation of the manner in which tbe lady had represented Southland while on duty. Mr W. G. Mehaffey then presented the prizes won at euchre, and did it so happily that one wished the trophies had been more numerous, so spontaneous was his flow of drollery and humour. Miss Greenwood proved the winner, gaining 15 games out of 19, and prizes were also won by Mrs J. Galt, Mr Wise, Miss L. Barclay, and Mr Galbraith. Oapt. J. B. Watson wished to say a few words on behalf of Miss Peiper, and also as a former chairman of the Hospital Trust. Miss Peiper had come to the institution as a probationer, and then became a nurse, fulfilling the duties with great credit to herself, with complete satisfaction to tbe trustees, the doctor, and the matron, and last, but not least, to the patients, to whose necessities and comforts she had to minister. (Applause). He might also be permitted to say a few words as a humble unit in that great Imperial service whose members, all the world over, were proud to wear the uniform of His Majesty the King—that great Imperial service of which Miss Peiper had been a distinguished, devoted, and active member. On her behalf he thanked the gentlemen who had made the presentation for the very kind terms in which they had spoken. She would prize and treasure the souvenirs all her life, not solely on account of their intrinsic value, but chiefly for the proofs of goodwill and esteem and of high appreciation of her devoted and arduous services in the field to her King, to her country, and the sick and suffering soldiers of the Empire. (Applause.) He also desired to express on her behalf her pleasure at meeting so many old friends and at the kindly feeling which had prompted the gathering. After an eloquent reference to the good work done under trying conditions by tbe Army Nursing Staff, Captain Watson said that the Trust felt an especial pride in the fact that one who had been trained in the Southland Hospital had been able to render to her country services so conspicuously valuable and devoted that they attracted the notice of the Commander - in - Chief, Lord Kitchener, who specially mentioned those services in his despatches. (Applause.) Lord Kitchener was most economical in his bestowal of praise, and never bestowed it unless it was well-earned, and he (Capt. Watson) thought they had cause to feel proud, that Nurse Peiper had discharged her duties so well as to earn that great distinction. Not only were the Southland Hospital Trust proud of her achievements, but he could safely say that

the people of Invercargill were equally proud of her—she had been a credit to Southland, and indeed to the colony ; but more than that, and better than that, there were men scattered over the world who would carry in cheir hearts grateful recollections of beneficent and kindly services rendered to them by Nurse Peiper when they lay sick and wounded and sore —recollections that they would carry in their minds till they died. (Applause.) Three cheers of roof-lifting volume having been given for Nurse Piper, Mr J. A. Mitchell, in one of his characteristic speeches, proposed a vote of thanks to the committee, viz. :—Captain R. McKay, Captain Lonnie, Col.-Sergt. Lennie, Mesdam.es Hawkins and Gee, and Messrs M. Hawkins and John Brass. Three were given for the committee (for whom Capfc. McKay made acknowledgment), and for Mr Ashley, who had placed the hall at the disposal of the committee free of charge, and the floors were then cleared for dancing, which was kept up tlil 2.30 a.m. to the music discoursed by Mrs Blue (piano), Gould (violin), and J. Humphries (cornet). Humourous recitations by Mr J. Galt, a Highland Fling by Mr Sutherland, and a song by Miss Kelleher served to enhance the pleasure of what was admittedly an exceedingly pleasant gathering. Apologies for absence were received from Dr and Mrs Hendry, and from Mr I. W. Raymond. The Hospital staff, it may be mentioned, was represented by the matron (Miss Hewitt) and Sister Brown, while Mrs A. Dunlop, the first nurse appointed by the Trust, was also present.