COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 25, 31 January 1916, Page 4

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

TENDERED TO DR. BARNETT. BY TAIHAPE’S LEADING CITIZENS. A FAREWELL GATHERING. THE DR. LEAVING FOR PALMERSTON. On Saturday evening at the Gretna Hotel, Dr. Barnett was tendered 'a complimentary dinner on the eve of his departure to take up the practice of his profession at Palmerston North. There was a large and representative attendance, the chair being occupied by Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith, the Mayor of Taihape. The Chairman said he “had a little list” but unlike that known to history, the names on it were those of men who would very much be missed on this occasion, as owing to the short notice given of the doctor's departure •he had received apologies for absence from Messrs Battle (chairman of the Wanganui Hospital and Charitable Aid Board), R. T. Batley, A. G. Bigneil, Cotterill, J. R. Cunninghame, W. Emerson, C. Forde, T. A. Garratt, A. James, G. Lyndon, W. J. Poison, Rev. Stent, F. W. Somerville, Swineburne, and J. F. Thurston.

The following - is a copy of a letter received from Mr. J. F. Studholme: — “I very much regret that it is impossible for me to be present with you to do honour to the guest of this evening. It was with the greatest regret that I heard of the intending departure of our good friend Dr. Barnett, and new the time has come to F say good-bye, we more fully realise what a loss he will be to his numerous friends and patients, and there are many who will long remember his generous and kindly action in giving his medical services where he know no fee could be forthcoming, carrying out the highest traditions of a very generous and self sacrificing profession. As fellow residents we all know and appreciate his enterprise and public-spiritedness, in which, he has always shown marked business ability, it is greatly due to his enterprise and energy that we now have a real live freezing works in our midst, which will be a lasting benefit to the, town and the district surrounding Taihape. I congratulate Dr. Barnett in becoming the partner of such an eminent and brilliant surgeon as Dr. Martin, ; and equally so Dr. Martin and the Palmerston residents on obtaining Dr Barnett’s services. At the same time we are fortunate to know that Dr. Barnett will be in reach' of any of us who -may need him. In wishing Dr. Barnett good-bye 'and God speed, the best I can wish him is that in his new sphere with his extended opportunities he may be as much appreciated, and do as much good and useful work as he'hag done whi’st residing amongst us, and that he and Mrs. Garnett 'and his may find health and happiness in their new home.

Ycur s sincerely, J. F. Studholme. P.S.—As I shall not be Avith you I Avould be glad if you Avould read the above at the gathering to-morroAv night, as I am sure it expresses the feelings of most of the country people Avho are unable to be present to-night. I have only been kept aAvay on account of his Excellency the Governor arriving at Ruanui on a visit that night, and I must be here to receive him.—J. F. S.” A short list Avas honoured during the evening and all the speakers referred to the guest of the evening, and expressed their regret that he Avas leaving the district. The toast of “Our Naval and Military Forces”. Avas proposed by Mr. H. D. Bennett, avlio, in referring to the navy, stated that little need be said but “Well done. Old Country.” Only the highest feelings could be expressed for the allies Avho had joined forces with our Empire to destroy octopus —not Germany itself, but the octopus Avhich was fed and brought up by the German people and which had not grown too strong for them. There Avas none Avho had not the greatest feeling of joy for our Allies, especially when one thought -of those great events in Belgium. Russia and the north of France. Wo, in New Zealand, had the events in Gallipoli to judge by, but Avhiie our hoys were put right into the mouth of fire, the Russians bad to go in and freeze, enduring the bitter weather for weeks and Aveeks on end. It must come home to us that, if the Allies kept their word, to stick to it, victory would come as sure as day folloAved night. The speaker then quoted: the figures given by an eminent authority to the effect that at the end of 1916, allow.-, ing for the present proved losses, and a proportion till the end or the year, cn the same basis. Germany, Austria and Bulgaria would have 3,20-0,060 ra ailable for the field and the A.lies Avcuid have 7,200,000. Capt. Somerville, of Mataroa, who has recently returned from Gallipoli, replied briefly and referred In glow-

Hng terms, to the conduct of the boys from the ! local district. “No better lot of boys,” he said, “went from New Zealand than those from this district. . They were really fine chaps and a credit to Taihape.” ijf--The toast of the Wangan^Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was pro- / posed by Mr. A. Nathan, who stated that the local hospital was of the greatest service to the district. Mr. Smith, one of the local representatives on the Board, had been of great service and was one of the finest settlers in the district. In acknowledging the toast, Mr. Smith paid tribute to Dr. Barnett, who as medical superintendent had done more than his duty, and had never looked upon it from the mercenary point of view but from the philanthropic. The hospital had indeed been of great service an<l had more than justified its existence. “OUR GUEST.” Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith proposed the toast of “Our Guest” and in an extcast. of “Our Guest” and on rising said that the doctor was to blame for the absence of many of his friends .’and admirers, because he had sprung his departure upon us so suddenly, only a day or two being available to get the gathering together. He (the speaker) knew quite well that thA many who would have like to be there and had not received notice would blame him, whereas they should blame Dr. Barnett’s suddenness, however he would shoulder all b'ame, and 'would like the absent to understand that he could not see orcommunicate 'with everyone in the extremely short time available. He referred in terms of the highest praise to Dr. Barnett. He had been of the highest service not only in his professional capacity but also in public matters. He was a member of the Taihape B'orough Council, a member of the Patriotic 'Committee, a prominent member of 'the Tennis Club, a committeeman of ‘the Taihape Club, and a director of the Otaihape Farmers’ Meat and Produce Company, Ltd. Dr. Barnett, in fact, wa s one of the first to suggest M >e formation of this company and he and Mr. H. D. Bennett had done the work of formation. Any man who knew Dr. Barnett must respect him; he, however, was not only respected by, but also had the liking of the community and the liking, appreciation and thank s of his patients. There was no doubt that he had always put the service of others before his own convenience. “I would. lilH to say to Dr. Barnett,” said Mr. Arrowsmith, “that we are here to give him the assurance of our very best wishes for his future welfare, our appreciation of him while he has been with us, and our good fellowship.” Continuing, Mr. Arrowsmith stated that he could not conclude without reference to Mrs. Barnett. “She is,” he said, “ a lady who, in a quiet and unebstrusive way, has done whatever she can to help in any charitable and

necessitous object.” The toast was then drunk with musical honours. When Dr. Barnett rose to reply, all present stood and sang “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The doctor feelingly but briefly replied and stated that he regretted very much leaving Taihape and felt that he would not fully realise how much he would feel it until he had actually left. He had a number of splendid friends here, whom he would always be pleased to see. He must thank Mr. Arrowsmith for the way in which he had spoken of Mrs. Barnett and himself. The task of proposing the toast of “The Medical Profession” fell to the Rev. R. H. Catherwood, who stated that of all the professions, there wa& none which called for such great selfsacrifice as the medical profession.'Dr Barnett had indeed fully upheld the highest traditions and ideals of his profession. He first studied at Otago and then went, home. He was a good ’•student and a strong man. If he thought a thing to be right, he would say it or do it without any fear of the consequences. Dr. Barnett was leaving men whose hearts had been touched. Men of the bush talked to-day of the noble work that Dr. Barnett had done in caring for their fellow workers. Mr. Catherwood stated that he had already met Dr. McDiarmid who also had the highest ideals of his profession. Other speakers also referred in eulogistic terms of the evening’s guest. Mr. Aldridge stated that he had known Dr. Barnett since he had first commenced the practice of his profession in Taihape and had heard of many good deeds. The doctor would always turn out at night and, despite bad weather, ride many miles to see a patient, rather than leave the felsi: lives of the. patient Many people would feel.a deep persont al loss at the departure of the doctor. Sir. Loughnan referred to the good name which Dr. Barnett had earned in the playing fields. He had prayed ioclbai'. and hockey on the local oval and was also a first class tenuis player. He had earned the name of being a, first class sportsman. (Appltntfs). „

be Chairman paid a to t McLennan for having at such ■t notice and on a most inconveit night for hifi provided the dintie was concluded by e present joiniajghands and sing“Auld Lang Syne.” ' ; ; I '■ , -