THE OLD HOSPITAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 8939, 13 December 1907, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE OLD HOSPITAL.

The old Hospital for twenty-nine years has never had its wards unoccupied, but from week to week, and from year to year, lias been a refuge for suffering humanity. It was built in the year 1878 by a County Committee. The original roll of this Committee was lost in a fire, but it included Messrs G. Beet ham, R. G. Williams, D. McGregor, A. W. Reuall, J. Beuuett, W. Perry, J. lorns, J. Valentine Smith, M. Caselberg, C. Pharazyu, J. M. Girdlestoue aud H. R. Bunny. The name of Mr Paytou, who had previously been on the Committee of the Greytown Hospital, was added to the list in order that he might assist in the preliminary organising work. Two good friends to the old Hospital were a Miss Sutherland, an active and an indefatigable cauvasser for funds, and the late Mrs Hacker, who gave a section of laud as a donation, which section was promptly converted into cash.

When the Hospital was opened, Dr W. H. Hoskiug was appointed surgeon at the munificent honorarium of £20 a year, which salary was, in course of time, increased to £100. A Matron was engaged who had enjoyed the distinction of being trained under Florence Nightingale. This Matron did not remain long at her post, aud was succeeded by Mr aud Mrs Bulpitt, to whose valued services the Hospital owed mnch of its after success. Mr Bulpitt laid out the grounds aud made them siugularly beautiful aud attractive. When things settled down aud the Hospital got into working order, a House Committee was appointed, and this gradually superseded the General County Committee. In 1880, the House Committee consisted of Messrs J. Bennett, J. M. Girdlestoue, J. lorus, W. Perry, J. Paytou, J. Valentine Smith and J. Vile. It was at this time that Mr J. C. Boddiugton joined the Committee, aud subsequently became its chairman. Mr Boddingtou's connection with the Hospital is a record, for it has extended over a consecutive period of seven-and-tweuty years. During the earlier years of the old Hospital, Mr W. M. Easthope acted as secretary, nroin first to last during the twentyFine years of administration, the old Hospital can claim to have beeu efficiently and economically managed. From the outset it was run on business lines, "and every annual report of the Government Inspector gave its management a word of praise. We reproduce on this page a picture of the old Hospital, because however poor it may look when contrasted with the new large buildings, it possesses in this district many warm friends, who will be glad to have such a souvenir of an institution which has beeu a blessing to the whole district for more than a quarter of a century.