LADY PAGET, AN ENGLISH HEROINE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 138, 28 January 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

LADY PAGET, AN ENGLISH HEROINE.

All natonal crisis are responsible for the introduction of a few indispensable personalities, who rsc superior to circumstances, and thus display their unassailable supremacy. The present war has been responsible for bringing quite a number of the world's "actors" prominently before the public eye, and in this manner has Lady Paget (whose safety after she had been lost sight of for some time has just boon reported) endeared herself to the English and Servian nations.

Lady Paget i* the wife of Sir Richard Paget (iii.s Majesty's Minister at Belgrade from ISIIO-13, and now n permanent Fnder-Secretary :it the Foreign Office), and the only daughter of Sir Arthur Paget) a prominent commander of a M'ct'on of our lingo army. Thus, liy heredity and environment. Lady Paget is the possessor of an indomitable ni.irtal spirit-. Being permeated with this spirit of martialism, she naturally sought an outlet for her i nthusiastic patriotism. Slie first came into prominence during the Balkan Wilis, and was a veritable Florence Night : ng.ile to the Servians. She organised and controlled the Tio.spitals for active hprvice men. and was so successful that at the termination ofh ostilities she was public'v thanked l>y the Servian Parliament and likewise received the highest national decoraton for women from the hands of King Peter. At the comencement of the present hostilities Lady Paget and her husband v.ere enjoying a well-earned holiday in California, hut on receipt of the startling intelligence that war had commenced they instantly tormnated their trip and willingly offered their services to the Empire. Lady Paget went to Servia and a.ssunied command of the hospital arrangements. Here she wa- much handicapped, as her hand of helpers was numerically insufficient and the hospital huild : ngs and necessities were of the harest type. Again typhus had attacked a great number of troop-, and it looked as though the majority of them would he annihilated. With indomitable will, she worked with untiring energy in having hospitals remodelled, fumigated, and prepared for occupation by the stricken "laddies." Thanks to her efforts, the threatened widespread pestilence of typhiin was arrested, and she and her heroic band were aMe to cope with the cases that were sent to the hospitals for treatment. Her constitution was not sufficient for the great strain, however. and she herself was str'eken by the dread fever. For many days little hope was given of her recovery and many were the prayers that were offered throughout Servia for her restoration to health and strength. Slowly increased vitality returned and Lady Fagot's life was mercifully spared. She then went a trip to England to report to the Servian Belief Fund on the work that had been done and the vast amount yet remaining to be performed. Returning to Servia, she once again resumed her duties for the complete extermination of typhoid. She found, moreover, that there was evidence of a cholera outbreak, and had to turn her attention as to the best method of coping with the dread pestilence. Is it any wonder that the Servian; love and reverence Lady Pa>:et Y Her irrr« : «tible vivacity and lovable personality are enshrined in all their hearts, and she represents to them the embodiment of the nobility, grace, and charm of our true English lady.