OLD DEBT SETTLED

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1933, Page 7

OLD DEBT SETTLED

PAYMENT AFTER 25 YEARS,

MONEY GRADUALLY SAVED

AUCKLAND, April 14

Discharged .from the Auckland Hospital 25 years ago, an elderly lady, now resident in Christchurch, has forwarded to the Hospital Board the sum of £35 in settlement of the balance of Her account.

“This is a very pleasant surprise,” said Air W. Wallace, chairman when the announcement was in.de >at yesterday’s meeting of the board. “1 thinK we can very well exjpre ss our grateful appreciation to this lady. I wish other,s would follow her example.” The secretary, -Mr H. A. Sommorvillc, said th e lady had been a patient in the hospital in 1908. Som e , difficulty had been experienced in finding the records dealing with her ease, owing to the. long lapse 0 f time. “I paid an instalment of £lO after my discharge while T wag strong enough to earn it,” said th e lady in forwarding the balance of £36. “After that my health broke down .and I became unfit fo r even light employment. However, out G f a small allowance I have gradually saved up enough to , settle my account, for which I am truly grateful. “I cannot tell you how worried I have been tit times over this matter,” added the letter, “but when I receive your acknowledgment I shall bo at rest.”

The lady expressed a wish that her name should not be made public, and that she should merely be known as “a grateful patient.”

The board decided to send a. letter t 0 the lady expressing appreciation, of her action.