ST. HELENS' HOSPITAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 260, 24 March 1911, Page 5

ST. HELENS' HOSPITAL

ONE THOUSAND AND ONE BABIE.S.

By Telegraph.—fress Association. Dunedin, Last Night,

An "At Home" to celebrate the birth of the 1000 th child in St. Helens' Maternity Hospital was held in the institution this afternoon. The 1000 th child (a girl) was born a few days ago, and the 1001st was born about fourteen hours before the beginning of the ceremony. There was a large and representative gathering, amongst those present being the Hon. G. Fowlds. In the course of his speech, Mr. Fowlds expressed the opinion that the institution was one of the most important in New Zealand. No greater monument would stand to the memory and humanitarian instincts of the late Mr. Seddon. He referred to the valuable training obtained by nurses, and said the success of the Dunedin institution had been phenomenal. The hospital had turned out forty certificated mid-wives, and eight pupils are now in training. While the 1008 confinememts had taken place, there had been only one death. One hundred and forty-five mothers have been patients more than once, twentytwo of these having been three times, and two four times. In addition ninety patients have been treated by the hospital staff in their own homes. After congratulating the staff on the excellent results, Mr. Fowlds said the Government must provide to the utmost of its power opportunities of training midlives, and he hoped before long that the supply would be equal to the demand. The Minister then presented to the 999 th baby, Master Patrick, a bank book with a credit entry for ss, and to the 1000 th baby, Miss Helen Geary, a bank book with a credit entry for 10s. He also intimated that a cheque for £1 Is had been received from Miss Bessie Hume, who desired the sum to be divided between the'two.