NOBLE NURSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1939, Page 10

NOBLE NURSE

LATE MISS S. M. SUTHERLAND ’ PIONEER WORK IN WAIRARAPA. ■ ESTABLISHMENT OF FIRST * HOSPITAL. , A Gladstone . scholar, Miss Ruby ' Panapa, a worthy representative of 3 the Maori race, has written a sketch of the life of the late Miss Selina i Sutherland, who took a leading part/ in the establishment of the first hos- J pital in the Wairarapa, based on news- ; paper and other data in the posses- ‘ sion of Mr A. C. Holms, J.P. Miss Panapa’s article reads as follows: — What a debt we owe to our nurses! Surely it is one of the noblest of * professions. In the pioneer days of [ the Wairarapa, heroic work was done by the late Miss Selina MacDonald Sutherland, who lived with her sister, j Mrs Robert Grant, of “Bannockburn,” t Gladstone, having come to New Zea- j. land in the 60’s from her home at c “Culgour,” Sutherlandshire, Scotland, c where she had been born in 1839. Her parents were Mr and Mrs Baigrie * Sutherland, and grand-parents Mr and , Mrs Alexander Sutherland, her mo- j ther’s maiden name being Janet MacDonald, and grandmother’s Selina , Murray. As a small girl she was very ‘ studious and read extensively as well ' as wisely. When she first came to c New Zealand from Scotland, Miss ; Sutherland actively interested herself ' in the sheepfarming operations of Mr and Mrs Grant, who were Wairarapa f pioneers of 1852-53. Soon, however, she was. widely known for her fine r service in caring for the sick, having imbibed considerable knowledge from t medical works. Remember that in j those days there were rough roads, and rivers were not bridged. In some g cases, there were only bush tracks. This strong-willed and brave woman L was never daunted, being ready at any

hour- of the day or night to help both | Maori and pakeha when in need. Neither stormy weather, nor flooded , river, was allowed to bar her way . when on mercy bent, as tributes paid by the late Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P., the ( Rev Bain MacDonald, Messrs W. H. Beetham (chairman of the Wairarapa s Hospital Board), Myer Caselbe'rg and c D. McGregor, Junr., in 1910, clearly c show. On one occasion she attended r a number of typhoid fever cases in the Alfredton district. The establishment j. of the first Masterton Hospital, in . 1877, was chiefly due to her energetic • enthusiasm. The late Mr Myer Casel- £ berg (a trustee) was associated with . Miss Sutherland in the fund-raising ‘ campaign, and the late Dr W. H. ( Hosking was the foundation medical ( superintendent. In recent years his son, Dr Archer Hosking, worthily ; filled a similar role. The first matron - was Miss Sutherland. When the first ’ homestead aL “Bannockburn” was de- , stroyed by fire in 1879, Miss Suther- ' land left the Wairarapa to take up the position of matron in the Wellington

Hospital. In 1881 Miss Sutherland proceeded to Melbourne, where she did much for the uplift of the poor and suffering, especially human derelicts. She founded abodes for neglected children, which were called the Sutherland Homes. The money was supplied by many friends and supporters, who rallied at the call of this masterful woman. Matron Sutherland, as a representative from Melbourne, was honoured at Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, in London, and was presented by her Majesty with a beautiful ring. What| ’ do you think she did with it? Much as she prized the gift, she donated it to raise funds for the Homes. This ’ noted charity worker, who re-visited New Zealand in 1905, passed away in , 1909, mourned by all. Thanks to the ’ organising efforts of Miss I. Munro (a j very loyal friend) and Mr W. H. ! Beetham, a brass tablet to her memory s was placed in the present Masterton _ Hospital in 1910, being inscribed: — “In memory bf Selina Sutherland, ’ who by her unswerving and self- ’ sacrificing ministrations to the sick ' and afflicted, also by her. touching j appeals on their behalf, largely contributed to the establishment of the a first hospital in the Wairarapa.” 9 3 An excellent portrait of Miss Sutherland, donated by her sister, was placed in the new hospital building.

On a granite memorial, placed over her grave in Melbourne, is written the following:— “For 28 years an unwearied friend of Melbourne’s poor, the truest help--er of its fallen, and the devoted fos-ter-mother of all destitute little ones, for whom she taught Victoria how to care, having herself rescued 3000 waifs from streets and slums. She hath done what she could.” The humanitarian mission thus undertaken was carried on by a faithful associate, the late Miss .Sanderson, and is still in progress. How proud we Gladstone people should be of this noble woman, who once lived amongst us!