Farewell to Dr. Morkane, Kumara

New Zealand Tablet, 5 May 1910, Page 697

Farewell to Dr. Morkane, Kumara

no There was a very large attendance at the Adelphi theatre, Kumara, on the evening of April 13, the occasion being a farewell social to Dr. Morkane (says the local I lines). Among those present were visitors from all parts ot tlie Coast. The Mayor presided, having on his right Dr. Morkane and on his left Dr. Phillips; and on the platform were Mr T. E. Y.-Seddon, M.P., Messrs. W. Routhan H. Linklater (Stafford), and Higgs (Goldsborough), and Messrs. T. Kennedy, J. Jorgensen, R. Rouse, J. aimer, G. Haymes, R. McGJone, C. Evenden, and W. Benyon (members of the Kumara Hospital Trustees and Borough Council). On the stage were exhibited two beauitwly illummated addresses, one from the Kumara Hosprtal Trustees (the work of the Sisters of the local convent), the other from the Stafford and Goldsborough residents (worked by the Sisters of the- Hokitika . Convent). Atter a musical programme had been gone through the Mayor called on Mr. Linklater to address the’ audience. Mi. Linklater said that the farewell gathering on the previous Friday evening by the Goldsborough, Stafford, and Uaiiagnans residents was an enthusiastic success, and spoke of the esteem in which the doctor was held. Mr. Linklater considered it an honor to be spokesman on behalf of the people of those districts mentioned. - The large gatherings which have been held at Goldsborough and Kumara would convey to the doctor more eloquently than words the high opinion they had of him. „ b The following addres was then presented to Dr. Morkane:.•/ . -~v . ■ ,

ox „ W , , the undersigned, on behalf of the residents of Stafford, Goldsborough, and Callaghans districts, wish to express our deep appreciation of the skill and devotion with which you have always attended any surgical or medical cases to which you have been summoned. You have during your seven years’ sojourn among us earned the confidence and respect of the people with : whom you have come in contact, by acting up to the high 1 ideals of the noble profession to which you belong. We wish to express our deep regret at your, departure, and acknowledge with gratitude all you have done to alleviate suffering. When the" call came you w 7 ere ahvays ready and prompt in answering the summons to attend the sick and afflicted. The care you have always taken and your kindly sympathetic disposition has endeared you to all with whom you have come in contact. We wish you in the future health and prosperity, attended by the greatest possible success in the noble profession you have chosen. We trust wo may be enabled some day to welcome you back to Westland. With heartiest good wishes and the keenest expression of regard for your skill and ability as a medical adviser, we have the honor to subscribe ourselves.’ Then follow the. signatures. ~ The next speaker was Mr. T. Kennedy, president of the Hospital Trustees, who said he was pleased to have the honor to present the doctor with some token of the esteem in which he was bold by the trustees—an illuminated address, which he hoped the doctor in the future would look upon with pride. He also wished Dr. Morkane to convey to the good' ladies’ of’ his family the" cordial good feeling extended to them. He concluded by wishing the doctor a pleasant trip and a safe return to Hew Zealand, and hoped that he may find his way back to the West Coast, where ho would meet with a right royal welcome.

The following was the address of the Hospital Trustees: On the occasion of your severing your connection with the Kumara Hospital, we desire to express to you our sincere regret at your departure and our keen appreciation of your services to that institution during your seven years of office. We feel that it is owing to your skilful treatment and gentlemanly conduct that the Kumara Hospital has attained its present prominent position amongst the hospitals of the Dominion. In wishing you God-speed on your journey and . a .successful termination to • the . business that now takes you from us, we are only voicing the feelings of the whole of the people of Kumara and surrou.ndimr dis.

tricts. Our dearest hope is that in the very near future we shall have the pleasure of welcoming you back from your travels with a right royal West Coast welcome. Should fate decree that you shall not return to us you may rest assured that nowhere will the news of your prosperity and welfare be received with such genuine feelings of pleasure as in Kumara and surrounding districts. In conclusion we wish you a safe and pleasant voyage and a speedy return.’ • , The Mayor then presented Dr. Morkane with a beautiful marble clock and portmanteau, suitably inscribed, on behalf of the people of Kumara and surrounding districts. They were there that evening, he said, to give some token of their appreciation of Dr. Morkane’s seven .years’ work among them. The position of a medical man in Kumara carried a great responsibility, but throughout his seven years’ experience here he had not heard of a single instance where a word of the doctor’s had caused friction with his patients or public. After referring to the active interest which the guest of the evening took in various matters, the Mayor went on to speak of the hazardous nature of the work followed by a mining community, and the necessity of a doctor being able to grapple with urgent and serious cases. In Dr. Morkane they had the right man. He pointed to the work the doctor had done during the past seven years, which has been the means of placing the Kumara Hospital in the proud position which it now holds among the hospitals of the Dominion. It was easy to welcome but it was hard to say farewell to a friend, and Dr. Morkane had been a friend to all, and had acquitted himself as a gentleman. The large gatherings was the most eloquent testimony of his popularity. Several of the Hospital Trustees and Mr. T. Seddon, M.P., also bore testimony to Dr. Morkane’s skill and courtesy, and expressed regret at his departure. Dr. Morkane, who on rising to reply was greeted with applause, said he appreciated very much the great honor done him. He, however, was hardly vain enough to think he deserved all the flattering things that had been said of mm, although they had been spoken seriously. He thanked his kind friends of Stafford, Goldborough, and Callaghans to/ the fine social they tendered him and for the splendid address they presented to him that night. . He also thanked the Hospital Trustees for their handsome address and the

consideration and kindness which he had always received at their hands. During his stay in Kumara he had made many friends genuine friends. He was leaving New Zealand for only twelve months or so, and on his return he would certainly visit Kumara and look up his numerous lends. He had always done his best for his patients, an d appreciated the gratitude shown him. Cheers were then given for Dr. Morkane, and the audience sang ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow.’ The combined friendly societies of Kumara—Oddfellows, I'oresters, and —entertained Dr. Morkane at a smoke concert on the evening of April 6. Mr. T. T. Jones, who presided, in the course of his speech explained that- the members of the different lodges had met in order to show ™ 11 j ll appreciation of Dr. Morkane, their medical officer, aa . , , e large gathering was evidence of the esteem in which he was* held. During the evening Dr. Morkane was the recipient of an address, accompanied by a travelling rug, from the members of the societies. _ Di. Morkane was also entertained at a complimentary banquet in the Foresters’ Hall by the Kumara Racing Club and the Axemen s Carnival committee. Mr.J. A. Murdock (who, presided), and Messrs. J. Gilbert, E. Mulvihill, R. Rouse, Rocheford, Burger, Byrne, and others spoke in very laudatory terms regarding the guest of the evening, both ll i his professional capacity and as a citizen. The members or the Racing Club presented Dr. Morkane with a beautiful dressing case as a recognition of his interest in the welfare or the club during the time he had been president. From the Axemen Carnival Club, of which he had also been president, Dr, Morkane received an enlarged framed photograph of the members.