A Popular Matron : Miss Stewart's Retirement

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume IV, Issue 1, 1 January 1911, Page 34

A Popular Matron : Miss Stewart's Retirement

Presentation of an Address and Purse of 200 Sovereigns

At the Thames Hospital yesterday afternoon Miss Stewart, who is retiring from the service of the Board after having been Matron of the Thames Hospital for twenty years, was presented with a handsome illuminated address, and a handbag containing 200 sovereigns, which had been subscribed m the most hearty and spontaneous manner by the general public, who hold Miss Stewart m the highest esteem.

Mr. H. lyowe (Mayor) presided, and said on behalf of Miss Stewart's many friends he had, while deeply regretting her departure, much pleasure m presenting to that lady an illuminated address, handsomely framed, which contained the following words : — "To Miss M. Stewart, Matron, Thames Hospital. — Dear Madam, — On the eve of severing your official connection with the Thames Hospital, we have been appointed by the residents of the Thames Hospital District to embrace the opportunity of tendering you their sincere thanks for the capable and efficient manner m which you have carried out your very onerous and trying duties for the past twenty years. The public also desire your acceptance of the accompanying gift m recognition of their appreciation of the sympathy and gentle womanly kindness you have at all times extended to those whose infirmities brought them under your matronly care. The profession to which you have devoted the best years of your life is one of the noblest that women can be engaged m, and m our opinion it never contained within its ranks a more noble disciple than your own worthy self. We trust that the remaining yeais of your life may be spent m the happiest surroundings, and that you may be ever blessed with the best of health. On behalf of the Thames people, we are, yours sincerely. "

We are very pleased tc be able to publish the above extract from the report m the Thames newspaper on the presentation to Miss Stewart. The many friends Miss Stewart has made m the long course of her nursing career, and the many fine nurses she has trained, will all rejoice that she has received such a token of appreciation, and will wish

her many years to enjoy her well earned repose. It is not long since her sister, Matron of the Gisborne Hospital, retired after an equally long and valuable service. In another column will be found a tribute to Miss Stewart from one who worked with her and fully appreciated her worth. It is a source of gratification to Miss Stewart that one of her own nurses has been ap-. pointed to carry on her work.