CHALMERS WARDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12068, 25 July 1917, Page 5

CHALMERS WARDS.

GIFT TO CHRISTCIiUIICH HOSPITAL. OPENED THIS AFTERNOON. Glorious weather prevailed for the opening of the Chalmers Wards at the Chriftchuvch hospital this afternoon. There was a. good attendance of the public, which included members of the Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid' .Board, Hit- Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. Holland), members of the City Council and representatives of public bodies and the Legislature. Flags, includino; those of the Allies, flew gaily from the roofs of the new wards,"and the ceremony was ?. pleasant and picturesque one. Among those present., besides a very larce attendance of ladies, which included the Mayoress. (M:"> Holland), were Bishop Julius. Bishop Brodie,> Rev F. Rule. Rev S. La wry. Sir John Denniston, Mr C. I. Jennings (Mayor cf Ranpiora), Mr AY. T. Lester (Mayor of Lyttelton), -Mr W. H. Winsor (Mayor of Spreydcn), Mr A. Kayo, (chairman Lyttelton Harbour Board), Mr C. H.

Opie (chairman Canterbury Education Board). Mr G .Harper (C.D.C.). Mr H. R. Smith (town clerk), Mr H. F. AVicram. Mr M. L. Roadins: ("Lyttelion Times''). JM.r J. .1. Dougall, Mr M. J. Miller, Mr W. Parkinson, Mr E. Cufhhort. Mr Cyrus Williams, Mr J. S. Officer), Dr Fox (Medical Superintendent of the Hospital), and Miss Muir Kennedy.. Dr Chesson (District Health (matron of the Hospital). Mr F. Hojrell. chairman of the board, presidt-d. and gave a hearty welcome to Miss Jean Chalmers, who has had the wards tree ted in memory of her uncles, Messrs John and Peter Chalmers. Mr Horrel) read apologies trom the Hon 0. W. Russell (who regretted 1 h:»r Ministerial business prevented his ;ii lending, but. expressed his admiration for the munificent gift bestowed upon the city by Miss Chalmers, and congratulated the city of Christchnreh on acquiring such a splendid addition to its Hospital accommodation), Coionel R. Heaton Rhodes, M.P.. the Hon D. Ruddo. Dr Thacker, M.P.. Mr C. Witty. M.P.. Dr Valintine (Director of Hospitals), Mr H. "W. Bishop, S.M.. and from Miss Tripp (president of the Lady Visitors' Association).

Mr Uorrcll, addressing those present, said that in 18-50 by a Government vote ;i start, was made to erect tho first hospital in Christchnreh. It occupied part of the site on which the new building had been crocurd, but, owing to financial vicissitudes, it was not opened until 1862. The Christchnreh" Hospital, throughout its career, appeared to have had financial difficulties to deal with, and, in consequence, the accommodation available had always been less than the requirements. There was always adverse criticism with regard to extensions

and new buildings, and he regretted that very much of that criticism came from tho country district-?, but it does not seem, to be an occasion when the districts sho.uk] question the amount that might be received by any locality in return for contributions. It was the duty of tho people as airhole to provide the necessary money for erection and equipment and maintenance of institutions for the case of the sick and infirm.

Efforts were made some time ago by tire Lady Visitors' Association to raisa money for wards for chronic or incurable cases. The amount realised was very much ler-s than the sum required, but Miss Chalmers stepped into the breach and set an example of unselfish strangely uncommon so far as New Zealand hospitals were concerned. She. undertook to proride up to .CSOOO, which with th? Government subsidy of 24s in tho pound, would provide sufficient, money to erect and equip a large block of buildings, thus allowing the money raised by the Lady Visitors' Association to be set aside as a nucleus for a fund for further extension. Her gift had fr.iit in tin-, shape of the fine wards that would be opened that day There had been some dvlay in the erection of the building, the trouble mostly arising out of the difficulty of obtaining supplies, owing to the war. One of tho wards already was occupied. He wished to refer to that, as, had that building not been erected, the board would have had to ask the Government to make provision elsewhere for soldiers, or large numbers of civilians would have had to be refused admission to the General Hospital. When the pressure" became so great that it was evident special accommodation would have to be provided for sick and wounded soldiers, the board decided to appeal to Miss Chalmers to allow a portion of the building, then in course of erection, to be used for soldiers. That, as was to be expected from a large-hearted woman, she readily agreed to.

Unquestionably, the building; would form a very useful portion of the General Hospital, and he should like to call the attention of many wealthy citizens to the needs that always existed, if not at that institution .it. chers in tho bond's district. Ther? had been a scat deal of talk recently about hospital boards being allowed to borrow for capital purposes. The board's rate of levy for.'thrji purpose averaged under £7OOO per annum ; and that was not much spread over a capital value of £44.000,000. The lew for the current vear, amounting to £9OIB, equalled 4sd for each £IOO of capital value. Therefore a, man owning- £1000 worth of land contributes less than 4s for the capital purposes of the board. The total sum spent since 1910 for capital purposes amounted to £140.000, independently of the cost of the block of buildings about to be opened. Had that money been raised by loan, the annual charge for"" interest and sinking fund would be £BOOO per annum, and'as years went on, it would scam the charge for interest and sinking fund would very soon become greater than the amounts required by levy and subsidy. That, perhaps, was not the time to refer to those matters; but they would have to be discussed fully in the near future.

Whilst, acecr ling Miss Chalmers the plaov of honour, and offering her "the> board's and the public's sincere thanks for her kindness, he wished to acknowledgp assistance from, and ready acceptance of the proposals by, t.'io Department presided over politically by the. Hon G. W. Russell, and departiue'ntally by Dr Valiniine. He also wished particularly to mention the beautiful building designed by Messrs Collins and Harman, and the excellent work put into it by Mr Greig, the contractor. Dr Chessoil, who spoke on behalf of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Departments, in the absence of the> Minister and of Dr Valintiue. said that a great want had been felt in the district for a long time for wards for chronic cases for females, and that want had now been filled by the benevolence of Miss Jean Chalmers. Accommodation had also been required for returned invalided soldiers, and Miss Chalmers had kindly allowed the ward to be used temporarily for that purpose. On behalf of the Department be thanked Miss Chalmers for her great generosity. The Mayor said that too much could not be said in praise? of Miss Chalmers for her gift, and on behalf of the people of Christchurch and - district he offered her all thanks. The gift cms a munificent one. and the act thatprompted its offer to the city was indeed a most benevolent one. The ward was in the interests of the poor and uYAild fill a long-felt want. He wished Miss Chalmers long life and good health and thanked her for her generosity. It was grand when they found men and women with means ready to help. Miss Chalmers's kindness would never be forgotten. She bad by her gift helped her sister women, and her name would be ever blest by thorn. Her action was a noble one. and the district was proud indeed of Miss Chalmers and her uncles The city would be ever grateful to the Chalmers family foi their act of benevolence. The- Rev F. Rule referred to jhe benevolence of Scottish benefactors and to the work of the Presbyterians, of whom the Church was proud to claim Miss Chalmers. He mentioned the groat good done by Andrew Carnegie, and of Robert Glendining and Miss Chalmers in this country. The Scottish people were noted for hanging on to that which they got their hands on, but there was no nobler heart than a Scottish heart, and those who made so fine a pile of buildings as the Chalmers Wards possible deserved all honour. Their memory should be revered for all time. The name of Chalmers was a great one in Scottish Church history, am] the name was associated with many noted works for the amelioration of . the poor and for making provision for those who were in old age. In closing his remarks Mr Rule said that Mis-s Chalmers and her nnelen, who had been responsible for the gift of the wards, added to the honour and glory of the Scottish race in providing for the needs of suffering humanitv. I

j Dr Fox, Modioli Superintendent of I th-.> Christchurch Hospital, .ilso tL.r.kcd Miss Chalmers for her splendid gift. The accommodation of the hospital was very much congested, and the addition of the Chalmers win;* would help to relieve a certain portion of that congestion. Dr Fox referred briefly to some of the needs of the institution, •spoke of the private hospital service in Christchurch. and said that there was scope for donations towards the institution's equipment, which might be used for private hospital work mmer the board's supervision. The Hon D. Buddo said that on behalf of Parliament hs thanked Miss Chalmers for her munificent gift to the city. Her generosity, it was hoped, would prove an incentive to others, for there was plenty of room for help in the way of hospital snpnort. Mr Budcfo referred to the financial position or hospitals and contended that in that way hospital*, should be in the same position as local bodies. Tic had made a move in Parliament and hoped that something would be done, though there might bo delay until th e war was concluded. He did not believe in the people oeinjr called upon to provida capital expenditure in regard to. hospitals. It was a matter of conpratu'latv.on 'to the people of Canterbury that so admirable an example of generosity had been set by Miss Chalmers. On behalf of the Government he thanked Miss Chalmers.

Mr J. Cuningham, who spoke for Miss Chalmers, said thafc ?h© wished to express her thanks for all the kind words that had been said ihat day, and to thank the architects, tne builders, and all who had been connected with the- construction of the wards,, for the success which had attended the carrying out of the work. Mr V. Greijgj contractor, then hand-

Ed Miss <Chalmers a gold key, with. ■which she opened the main door of tih«( building, amid thre© hearty cheers. The large gathering of visitors th<3» entered and viewed the new building, and were afterwards entertained atf afternoon tea.