Farewells to the Nurses

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume VIII, Issue 3, 1 July 1915, Page 128

Farewells to the Nurses

On June 14th a very pleasant afternoon tea was given by Miss Orr at the Nurses' Home, Auckland Hospital, to farewell the nurses who are leaving to join the Hospital Ship at Wellington. There were a larg.3 number of guests, including the members of Council, and the resident medical staff. The nursing staff also was well represented A guessing competition, arranged by Mrs. Todd Smith, resulted in the prize, a very nice knitted coat, being won by Nurse Hanan. There was most enjoyable music, songs by Mrs. Magunv, Mrs. Carrick Robertson, Mrs. Barclay, Mrs. Kinder, Sisters Edgerley and Robinson and Dr. Grant. Very delicious afternoon tea was served and thoroughly enjoyed, and many kind wishes were expressed for the success of the departing nurses. A charming function closed with the National Anthem. * * * The Council of the Trained Nurses' Association were "At Home ' : on July nd at the Y.W.C.A. Club-room to say far well to three of their members who are leaving in the Hospital Ship. Mrs. Todd Smith received the guests, who included Miss Orr, Miss Foote, Mrs. Moss, Miss Bagley, Miss Jones, Mrs. C. Aicken, Mrs. Oliphant, and other members. A very pleasant hour was spent, and the nurses, Miss Austen, Miss Longman and Miss McGann, were each presented on behalf of the Council with a thermos flask. Miss Austen thanked the Council ior the useful and timely gift, and assured them that she and her sister nurses would do all in their power to uphold the profession and to help to their utmost th sick and wounded who would be in their care. Miss B. Garland sang some songs which were much en j oy ed , and farewells were i xchanged. An immense crowd assembled at the railway station on Sunday evening, the 4th of July, to say good-bye to the contingent of nurses who are leaving New Zealand in the Hospital Ship. Great enthusiasm was shown by the many friends of the nurses, who were all in the best of spirits, and many were the good wishes expressed for their so much needed work among our brave soldiers and sailors. The

train moved off to the sound of three ringing cheers -which evidenced the popularity of the nurses and appreciation of their motives and of their work. ♦ # # # The president of the Auckland branch gave an afternoon tea to the members of the Association in honour of the nurses who had been chosen for the war on March 26th. The weather was perfect and the love]y home of Mrs Kidd was an ideal place for the function. There was a large number of members present , and a very pleasant afternoon was spent, to which delightful music contributed not a little. The tea table was most beautifully decorated with autumn flowers and foliage, and a very dainty tea was much enjoyed. On behalf of the Nurses' Association, Mrs. Kidd, in a pleasant little speech, presented each of the nurses who were leaving Auckland, with a fountain pen and a hot-water bag, gifts which seemed to be much appreciated Many good wishes were expressed for those who were so fortunate as to be going out to nurse the sick and wounded soldiers and sailors who are doing such great and gallant deeds for us who are at home in safety. Mrs. Kidd's visitors will long remember the pleasant afternoon at " Hounsslow.' The nurses who are leaving are the Misses Young, Common, Harris, Sutherland, Mitchell, Nutsey, Anderson, Fricker, Clark, Burke, Williams and Wright. -!- * * * Mrs. W. Oliphant was the gracious hostess at a farewell tea which she gave at beautiful Parnell Park on March 30th , to the nurses who were so soon to leave on service for the war. Many other friends of Mrs. Oliphant were also present. The afternoon was most pleasant and informal, and the guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves, wandering through the lovely grounds and admiring the harbour views. Tea was delightfully served indoors, wher. music and pleasant converse made the time pass all too quickly. Many good wishes were also given with the farewells and hopes for a safe return after great experences in far lands with our brave soldiers.

A quiet afte noon tea was given at the Nurses' Club on May 23rd by Mrs. Kidd and Mrs. Tod Smith for Miss McMaster, who is leaving for Melbourne. Members of Council were present, and all expressed many kind wishes for her future happiness, and she was presented with a handsome embroidered linen tray-cloth.

On July 10th the Council of the Wellington Trained Nurses' Association entertained the nurses who are leaving with the Hospital Ship at an afternoon tea which was held at the Nurses' Residential Club in Kensington Street. The guests, as they arrived, were received by the vice-presi-dent, Mrs. Porter, and by Miss Craig, matron of the Club, and as many of the nurses had brought friends with them the rooms soon overflowed with their numbers. The folding doors between the club-room and the dining-room were thrown back and everywhere were quantities of beautiful white and yellow narcissi which had been sent in from the Hutt. The party was a very cheery affair, and the nurses were constantly meeting with old friends with whom, perhaj^s, they had trained, and whom they had not seen again till that moment. Natur-

ally such meeting added to the pleasure of the afternoon. The singing of two of the nurses who are leaving, Nurses Tucker and Adams, was greatly enjoyed. Tea was set in an adjoining room, the decorations again being of narcissi and lycopodium, and assisting with it were several of the nurses from St. Helens Hospital. Mrs. Porter wore a grey tailored costume, and grey hat, and Miss Craig was in a navy blue silk dress trimmed with vieux rose. Among those who Avere present were : Mrs. Kendall, Mrs. Young, Mrs. M'Donald, Mrs. M'Lean, Mrs. A. A. Thompson, and Miss Jnglis, all of whom are members of the Council ; also Miss Bellingham from Auckland, Mrs. Martyn-Dawson, Mrs. Clarence Turner, Mrs. Gibbs, Miss Bicknell, Miss Agnes M'Lean, Mrs. Callender, Mrs. For-tescue-Wiight, and many other friends, as well as the nurses themselves. Dr. Young, president of the association, arrived later in the afternoon.

It has been ascertained by His Excellency the Governor that the nurses who left in the Hospital Ship, as well as those who left by the ; ' Mara ma " in charge of Miss Cameron, will be stationed in Egypt.