FAREWELL TO DR. CLARKE

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1929, Page 11

FAREWELL TO DR. CLARKE

’ 'SU-BEKINTENDENT AT HOSPITAL. Dr. Clarke, medieal superintendent of the New Plymouth Hospital, who leaves New Plymouth next 'Monday on leave of. absence-for a .year, was the guest of honour at a dinuer last night, given by the medical men of Taranaki, and later at a dance in the nurses’ home. Over 30' medical men from all over Taranaki attended the dinner, Dr. G. Home presiding. Air. R. H. Quilliain, representing - the golf club and legal profession, and the Rev. J. D;.Wilson, were also present. Messrs Quilliam and Wilson, and Dr. Adamson, spoke to the toast of the guest of the evening. Silhouetted against a.starless sky, the nurses’ home presented a very gay spectacle. But if the external appearances were cheery and inviting, the beflagged portico, carpeted and illuminated by tne diffused light emanating from the hall, was another step in the fulfilment of a promised welcome to the gnests. The decorative scheme adopted for the many sitting-rooms was simple, but in its simplicity it was the more effective. Deeply cushioned lounges offered rest for tired ’feet, and artistically arranged vases of spring blooms lent an exotic, yet simp'le, fragrant "atmosphere to the whole scene. The decorations; effective in the extreme, were entirely the work of the matron (Miss Campbell) and the nursing staff. During an interval between dances the chairman of the hospilal board (Mr. C. H. Burgess) and Dr. 11. B. Leatham. briefly wished Dr. Clarke God-speed and a happy and instructive trip abroad. Dr. Leatham stressed the {joint that the year's leave would not by any means be all spent as a holiday, as the medical superintendent intended- to further his professional studies, and gain as much specialist experience' as possible.-During his three years as medical siiperintcndent he had made the efficiency of the hospital his first aim. Not the least part of his work had been of administrative nature, and in this difficult task he had achieved marked success. Apart from his professional work, his qualities of thoughtfulness, kindness, tenacity of purpose and discipline had amongst many other good qualities earned him respect on all sides. Dr. Leatfoani then presented Dr. Clarke with a cheque from the members of. the medical profession. Cheers were given and after “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow” had been enthusiastically rendered, Dr. Clarke, suitably replied. He expressed thanks for the co-operation, of the inedß cal profession, nursing staff and hospital board which, he said, .was .indispensible to the successful conduct of the hospitaL