CHAIRMAN RETIRES

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1935, Page 7

CHAIRMAN RETIRES

STRATFORD HOSPITAL* BOARD. MR. “KENNEDY'S WORK PRAISED. In view of the announcement by ’the chairman,. Mr. W.. L. Kennedy, of his intention, of declining re-election to the Stratford Hospital Board this year, board members yesterday expresed warm appreciation of his services. It was only right that some reference should be made to the wonderful work Mr. Kennedy had done for the hospital, said Mr. G. P. Harkness. The board had been specially favoured, he said, in having such a man to preside over it during the past eight years. The members were all sorry to see his retirement, he said, and he hoped that Mr. Kennedy would live to see the board’s new policy justified. “If this policy is given ‘a fair go’ it will be a success,” he added. No one could ‘have any doubts about the value of the chairman’s work for the hospital, said Mr. J. Cormick. He had always acted as he thought best for the hospital, and had given very good service. He' was also one of the pioneers of Taranaki, and particularly the eastern districts, and had ever been a very public . spirited man. v One. of the things that had struck her • most since she had been on the board was the intimate knowledge of Mr. Kennedy of all matters pertaining to the control of the hospital, said Mrs! ML T. Phillips, and the board would miss him a great deal. Mrs. D. Shannon and Mr. Gernhoefer referred to Mr. Kennedy’s fine record of service, Mr. Gernhoefer ' pointing out that it was Mr. Kennedy who was really responsible for the establishment of a hospital at Stratford. Reference to the chairman’s courtesy'and efficiency was made by Messrs.. T. R. Anderson and H. C. Taylor .i Appreciation of the help he had rc ; ceived from the chairman in the short time he had been at Stratford W’as expressed by Dr. W. Brown, medical sup-, erintendent His had been a very difficult position to 'fill, he said, in view of the fine stamp of man that Dr. D. Steven was. Mr. T. L. Penn, secretary, added his appreciation of Mr. Kennedy’s “splendid help.’’

During his eight years as chairman he had had his whole heart in the work and had spent the bulk of his time ip the interests of the hospital, said Mri Kennedy in. his reply. He had had a long connection with the board, being associated with it first in 1910, and he might have been on the board continually since ■then had he not elected to return to the “back country” for a time. He had theii considered the expense to the board of his travelling was not justified. He had tried to put the Stratford hospital “on the map 1 ’ as far as economy of administration and efficiency of service were concerned, he said, and with the help of the superintendent he believed he had done so. Six months ago Dr. Watt, Director-Gen-eral of Health, had told him that the Stratford board was the most efficient and most economical board of its size in New Dealand.

“I sincerely hope that the new policy' is a success.” said Mr. Kennedy, ‘‘though* I cannot see that the hospital can be so cheaply run now.” The board, must admit, he said, that whatever differences he might have had with the various members, that'he had not fough+ once the board had decided; but . had fully supported the board’s policy. ' ' , - '‘ ' . ....