ST HELENS HOSPITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16918, 18 December 1922, Page 3

ST HELENS HOSPITAL.

On Saturday afternoon a pleasing function took place at St .Meier** Hospital, a presentation being made u> -Matron Xeivman, who has been promoted to Welling lon after thirteen years’ service in Christchurch. xhe nursing and medical staff and a number of friends from different parts of the city assembled on the pretty lawn at the rear of the hospital. The guests were received by Sister James, submatron. who acted as hostess during the afternoon. -Matron Newman was presented with a handsome bouquet of crimson roses by little .loan .Anderson.

Hr Douglas Anderson, a member of the medical staff, in a. brief speech, called on Dr living, the senior medical officer. to make the presentation. Apologies for absence were received from Canon Beau, Miss Maclean. Miss Bicknell, M s Irving. Dr and Mrs Crooke, Dr and Mrs Guthrie. Mr Moore. Tier C Perry ami Mrs Perry, Nurses King, "Wallis, Broke. Currie. Beer, Beaton. Thomson. Dalziel. llowe, Beaumont. Patterson, Carter, Howler. Bruce. Prictiaid. Mrs Turner and Mrs Taylor.

Partings were always sad. said Dr Irving, and in this r ase he was losing a friend as well as a- matron, as he had known Matron Newman for many years, before she had commenced her training as a nurse. He had watched her through her training, as probationer nurse, sister, acting-matron and matron, and be could say. as the result of years of experience, that he had never met anyone else who so nearly resembled the perfect matron. A mere knowledge of nursing did not make a matron. She must have many other qualifications l esides, aud Matron Newman had these in full. A matron made or marred an institution. That afternoon’s gathering was only a gathering of her friends amongst the medical profession. Had it been a gathering of the mothers who had been ! under Matron Newman’s care the grounds would not have been huge enough to hold their numbers. YV bat was belli ngton’s

gain was Christchurch’s loss, and Matron Newman’s promotion was fully deserved. They did not ‘''.ant her to leave without giving her something as a small mark of their esteem, love and honour. On behalf of the members of the medical and nursing starts no would ask he - to accept thi» gift. Dr Anderson briefly returned thanks on behalf of Matron Newman.

The gift. ;* handsome oax. writingdesk. suitably inscribed, was much admi rod. Afternoon tea was served, and musical items were given by Misses Masters and Biltcliff (songs), and Mr Ivan Baker < piano).

Amongst those present were:—Sister Bock. Miss Muir ('matron of Public Hospital). Mr and Mrs ’loans Mr., Moore. Dr A 1 r-e Morland. Mrs Charles Bean. Rev Tf. S. Leach and Mrs Leach. Rev Y\ . P Hughes and Mis Hughes. Capon AVilfcVrd, Dr an I Mrs Douglas Anderson. Hr Irving. Miss Pvke (matron of Essex Street I osnital). Mrs. S.riugev. Airs Biddle. Nurse Maude and Miss Ewart.