MEMORIAL TO NURSES.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1919, Page 4

MEMORIAL TO NURSES.

THE UNVEILING CEREMONY.

AT WESTLAND HOSPITAL,

There was a very large and representative gathering in the main corridor of Westland Hospital yesterday arternoon when the memorial tablet to the memory of Nurses Spring, Dixon and Davies who lost their lives during the influenza epidemic, was unveiled. Those present included representatives of the deceased nurses, the Staff of the Hospital and many friends, who gathered to do honor to the special oc-

casion. Mr. It. Wild (member of the Westland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board) said they had gathered together that afternoon to unveil a tablet to the memory of those nurses who had lost their lives in that awful epidemic that had visited the district last year. It was a painful occasion, but also in a sense it was a pleasure to know that proper recognition was being given. The heroism had not all been shown at the fighting front. Here, too, their nurses had shown a heroism equal to anything that history had to show. He had much pleasure in asking Mr Seddon to address them and to unveil the memorial. Mr T. E. Y. Seddon M.P., said it was a difficult task to fittingly refer to the manifold tasks so splendidly carried ou by nurses during the last few years. He wished to refer to the great work that had been done by those brave women in France, in Belgium and in other spheres. Whether it was at the base hospitals at the convalescent hospitals, or the hospitals for the blind, they had done their duty nobly and well. They were always the same, always cheery and smiling, doing their very utmost to mitigate the sufferings of those under their care. It was Florence Nightingale who was the first to show what grand work nurses could do. Later it was Nurse Edith Cavell that showed such great heroism, and her example was followed by a great army of women in France. Later on, when the German army had been smashed, the work of the nurses did not stop. A scourge had swept over Europe, and America, and then came to New Zealand. The nurses had shown tlieir fighting ability, for without their aid the death roll would have assumed enormous proportions. In association with the large band of voluntary workers they had bravely fought the epidemic. When soldiers went over the top to face the blue coated men they knew that they may bo called on to pass from their present sphere. The nurses knew also that they may have to pay the price, but that did not deter them. Three of the nurses from Westland Hospital, t>vo in the instituion and one in the North Island had laid down tlieir lives in the course of their duty during that grave scourge. When we read the casualty lists, our sympathy went out to those who had lost tlieir loved ones. There was also a spirit of envy, that their

dear ones had laid down tlieir lives at the call of duty. At the same time they wished to mark their appreciation and respect for tlieir memory, and to convey to tlie relatives their deepest sympathy in the great loss they had sustained by the passing of those bright young lives. The tablet would

serve as a reminder of their great ser-

vices, and would ho looked at and remembered in the long years to come as a memento of tlieir lives so quickly cut off. He would now proceed to envoi! the memorial, and would ask all

to stand while lie did so. Mr Seddon then unveiled the memorial, which had been temporarily af-

fixed to the wall of the corridor. It took the form of a brass tablet mount-

ed on a wooden frame, the inscription being as follows:

IN MEMORY OF NURSES ETHEL V. SPRING MINNIE B. DIXON WILHELMINA DAVIES WHO DIED NOVEMBER, 191 S OF INFLUENZA CONTRACTED WHILST ON DUTY.

Mr G. A. Perry, (Mayor of Hokitika) expressed liis pleasure at being accorded the privilege of saying a few words on such on occasion. When the influenza epidemic first came they did not realise the soi’ious nature of it. They did not, also, recognise the great value of their nurses, until the epidemic had come amongst them. They had done their duty nobly and he deeply regretted that some of them had lost their lives in the carrying out of the combating of the visitation. This memento was a small one but he was glad to know that it was a recognition of the great services rendered. The nursing profession stood higher Than it had ever done, proper recognition now being given of their worth. This reminded him that now there was an appeal for funds to complete the rebuilding of the hospital. All should give as freely as they were able to the fund, as an expression of their appreciation. He expressed his sympathy to the relatives and to the Matron. In the time of strain and stress all had done their very best. The public appreciated their work and thanked them for it. He was glad to do honour to the memory of those who had laid down their lives doing their duty. Hon. H. L. Michel, M.L.C., said the tablet unveiled by Mr Seddon, would most fittingly assist in perpetuating the names and worth of three good women who had land down their lives at the call of duty. Great acts of heroism had been done on the battlefields, but they had not to go as far as there to find plenty of similar examples. The women had been ready at the call and had shown the greatest examples of heroism. During ttie

groat scourge upwards of .seven thousand of young men and women ltad boon swept away, but the medical profession and nurses assisted by citizens had shown they wore ready to give their life, if need he, at the altar of duty. There wore two kinds of courage, physical and moral courage, and in these latter days moral courage demanded an even greater and higher courage to assist our fellow creatures in the face of danger arising from such a scourge. These three women had shown suoh courage. Two of them Nurses Dixon and Davies, had been born in the place, while Sister Spring had proved herself also a skilful and able nurse, and all had done (heir duty nobly. I

Rev. Dr. Holloway said lie always believed that good comes out of evil. Never had such an example been given as had arisen out of the epidemic. We can look back with great pride and hope for the future when wo can see how the people had pulled together in that terrible time. It did a tremendous good in bringing the community together closer than ever before, and made them appreciate one another more than they had done before. A lot of heroism had been shown but tho brunt of the work fell on the nursing and medical professions, and we had now a higher application for their work which we previously had taken for granted. They had shown themselves all ready to hear the brunt of that dreadful calamity. The nursing profession holds a higher place in the appreciation and admiration of the community as a result.' They were present to-day to honor three of those nurses who had laid down their lives. He was glad to be present to show respect for and appreciation of their lives and work, and of the hospital generally. He was indeed glad to take part in the occasion. Rev. Father Clancy concurred with the previous speakers. It was a great honor to be invited there to-day on such an occasion. He was glad to be present doing honor to great dead and to ourselves, because we recognise the great work the nurses have done. He did not wish to enlarge on those services. They were simply doing a duty that they should to the dear dead. Is it not also our duty to see that the living are recognised however! It is not our duty to see that the living be honored in every way? To see that there is no curtailment of expense. If a house is to be built for the nurses, then no house is too good for them to live in. Tho people are but the trustees of the worldly goods that they hold and it is their duty to make good use of their opportunities. They recognised their indebtedness to the nurses, in that they were all akin. Everything was sunk in the effort to show honor and respect to the dear departed, and he was glad to see the general participation. Our appreciation and sympathy will likewise encourage tho Matron and Sisters for the future.

Mr Wild here made apologies for the unavoidable absence of Mr. T. W. Dull 1 , (County Chairman) and Mr. U. Norman, (Chairman of the Board).. Dr Teichehnann, Superintendent of Westland Hospital) said the three nurses, whose memory they were honoring that day were three of their best nurses, and they missed their valued services very severely, especially at a time when every helper was essential. The three nurses had been with them from the start of their profession and they had proved three of the best they had ever had, proving patterns for their juniors. He was glad

to see such a large assemblage present to witness the unveiling of the tablet. He hoped soon to see its removal into a nobler building than the present one.

-Mr G. H. Blank, (member of the Board) returned thanks to tho assemblago present for their attendance to do honour to the three nurses who had laid down their lives. He took the opportunity of referring to the pittance of salary paid to the nurses and urged the community as a whole to urge the salaries being substantially increased, so that the present staff can be retained, and also that they have better accommodation provided.

Mr Geo. Davidson said be had been asked to respond on behalf of the relatives of the nurses. He assured them that the largo assemblage, and the words expressed by tile speakers that afternoon were deeply appreciated. The nurses had given their lives in a labor of love. Tlie relatives appreciate the kindl3 r remarks and large attendance appreciate tlie erection of the tablet, and thanked one and all very sincerely for their expressions of sympathy.

Tlie gathering then dispersed