OPENING OF THE SOLARIUM.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1825, 11 August 1913, Page 2

OPENING OF THE SOLARIUM.

TRIBUTE OF FRIENDS. The newly-erected solarium, which has been added to the Convalescent Home at Oriental Bay, as tangible, evidonco of the regard in which the lato Mrs. A. K. Newman was held by. people far and wide, was formally opened on SatGrday afternoon by Mrs. AY. 11. S. Moorhouse, at an "at homo" lield by tho Committee of the Memorial Fund and tho Trustees of the Convalescent Home. A very large number of peoplo were present, and wero received by Mrs. Moorhouso and Mrs. E. Hadiieldy and it' was not long before tho sunny verandahs, tho corridors. and the different rooms wero taxed to find accommodation for. everyone. Apologies for absence and expressions of regret wero received from the members of the Ministry, who were prevented from attending tho ceremony by a Cabinet meeting, which was held that afternooD. Tho Hon. James Allen telegraphed that lie would very much have liked by his presence at tho opening of tho solarium to fyavo paid ono moro mark of respect, 'but, as already mentioned, Cabinet duties prevented him from being there. An apology for his absence was also received from tho Mayor, Mr. J. P. Luke, and from Mrs. Rhodes, who was prevented by ill-health from attending the opening.

As many peoplo as spaco allowed gathered into tho cheery sitting room of tho patients, and here it was that Mrs. Moorhouse mado a brief speech. It was an eloquent little tribute to one whose memory had been honoured in a uuique and lieartfelt way. "They, had met," she said, "to pay tributo to the memory of one who never missed an opportunity of doing good to her fellow; creatures, and although not strong herself, she never neglected to help othors along tho path of good health. Tho building which they were in was ono of the many proofs, for she was one of tho founders," and helped largely to establish the Wellington Convalescent Home. Sho had been president of it up to the iimo of her death." It had been suggested that some memorial should bo erected to her, and, at a meeting of tho AVellington Women's Branch of tho Political Reform League, a committee had been appointed to carry tho matter through. Tho movement mot with unstinted response, and as a result tho sunroom was erected. It was the first time in, Wellington, and, the speaker thought, the first time in New Zealand, that such a testimonial had been built to the memory of a woman, and it 'showed the lovo and respect that was felt for her. After paying • all expenses, tho committee lioped to have a. small endowment fund for its upkeep and insurance in ca&e of fire. Whenever Mrs. Newman visited tho Convalescent Home she always brouglit sunshine into it, and it seemed tho one way in. which they could do fitting honour to her memory was by erecting a sun room, and so carrying on tho work in which she had taken so strong an interest. Mrs. Moorhouse then led the way to tho solarium, and, after turning tho lock with a beautifully engraved and chased silver key, . declared the Octavia Newman Memorial Suurooin open for tho uso of the Convalescent Home patients, adding that she was suro they would bless tlie memory of Mrs. .Newman;

Dr. Newman made' a brief speech, thanking everyone for the tributo they had paid in erecting tlio sun-room, and ho too thought that nothing could have been more appropriate, as it still carried on the work to which tho late Mrs. Newman liad devoted bo _ much of her energies, and would bring sunshine into tho lives of others. Tho key, which was afterwards presented to Dr. Newman by Mrs. Moorhouse, was in&ribcd on tho front as follows:—"Key of tho Octavia Newman Memorial Sun Room. Wellington Convalescent Home." On tho bade it bore tho words: "Erected by; friends and admirers in affectionate .memory. Opened by Mrs. Moorhouso, 9-8-13." Mr. Prank Brady was the designer and manufacturer of tlie key. The sun-room was the subject of much admiration, and favourable comment was passed upon tho way in which Mr. Mair, the' architect, and Mr. Lowery had carried out the work, as owing to tho construction and position of tho home itself, tho recent addition was by no means an easy matter, to deal .with. People couid not express sufficient admiration of the view iriiich lay outstretched before them of harbour and hills, an outlook that would 'bo beautiful at all times. The solarium itself has alroady been described and on Saturdny it had been decorated with sprays and branches of birch foliage,- intermingled with white and yellow flowers, the latter having been mado by ono of tho patients. In tho dining-room and the other sitting-rooms wero bowls and vases of spring flower.?, and all the mantelpieces liad been massed with pink and white oamellins. Tea was brought to tho visitors by. a largo number of assist ing ladies, tho arrangements being under the supervision of Mrs. Mottershall. Miss Oakley, the matron of the home, was also very busy in seeing to tho various arrangements. Among those present were Mrs. Menzies, 'Mr. D. Menzies, Mrs. F. Ward, Miss Fitzgerald, Miss Bremnor, Mr. C. Brcmncr, Miss Johnston, Mrs. Massey, Miss Massey, tho Hon. A. L. Herdman. (who appeared lato in tho afternoon), Mrs. Herdman, the remaining members of the Memorial Committee, of which Mrs. Moorhouso and Mrs. Hadfield wero two—viz.. Mrs. Dawson, Mrs. C. Earlc, and Mrs. J. Darling (secretary), tho Mayoress, Mrs. J. P. Luke, Mr. Moorhouse,' Mr. E. Hadfiold, Dr. Agijes Bennett, Mrs. Brandon, Mrs. Miles, Mrs. and Miss Barron, Mr. Statham, M.P., and Mrs. Statham, Mr. Guthrie, M.P., and Mrs. . Guthrie, Mr. Lee, M.P., and Sirs. Loo, Mrs. nine, Mrs. Pomaro, Mrs. Peat and tho Misses Peat, Mrs. Bulkloy, Mrs. Dymock, Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield, Miss E. Nathan, Mts. Martin, a great many members of tho Reform League in Wellington, several members of Parliament and their wives, and many of tho perBonal friends of tho lato Mrs! Newman.