MATRON FAREWELLED

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1940, Page 8

MATRON FAREWELLED

NEW PLYMOUTH TRIBUTES PUBLIC RECOGNITION

Testifying to the esteem in which slie was held, and a tribute to her efficient organisation, kindly nature and vivid personality, well over 100 people assembled in St. Mary's hall, New Plymouth, last night on the occasion of a public farewell to Miss B. A. Campbell, retiring matron of the New Plymouth hospital. In 40 years' association with the hospital, during 24 of which she held the position of matron, Miss Campbell made a large circle of friends, while a still larger circle owed to her skill and managerial ability much of the comfort they experienced while patients at the hospital. Associated with Mr. P. E. Stainton, chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board, who presided, were Mr. F. L. Frost, M.P., and Mrs. Frost, Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour, Mayor of New Plymouth, Dr. C. A. Taylor, medical superintendent, and Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Campbell, mother of the guest, and her sister, Miss N. Campbell, and Messrs. F. Lawrence, chairman of the Inglewood County Council, and H. V. S. Griffiths' president of the New Plymouth Hospital Ex-patients' Association. The Mayoress and Mrs. Stainton were absent because of illness. A musical programme arranged to add a full measure of enjoyment to the evening included numbers from Misses Ruth Day and Margaret Menzies in vocal duets, Miss Constance Leatham, pianoforte solos, Miss Frances Nicholson in soprano solos with a violin obbligato by Miss Vinnie Ross, who also presented violin solos, Mrs. Therldeson in solos, Mr. Len Kerr in selected songs1 and Miss Margaret Menzies in solos. Accompaniments were played by Miss Leatham. Prior to the opening of the musical programme Staff Nurse C. Henderson presented bouquets to Miss Campbell. Many Messages Received. Letters were read from the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, Minister of Health, Dr. M H. Watt, Director-General of Health, Miss M. Lambie, Director of the Nursing Division, Messrs. C. H. Honeyfield, chairman of the Patea Hospital Board, A. L. Campbell, chairman of the Hawera Hospital Board and J. Maxwell Clark, a former medical superintendent of the hospital. All the letters, as well as a number of other messages from people Drevented from attending the function,

paid tribute to the character of Miss Campbell and conveyed best wishes for a happy retirement. Mr. T. R. Anderson, chairman of the Stratford Hospital Board, and Mr. Max Gernhoefer, a member of the Stratford board, were present. Pleasure at being given the opportunity of expressing appreciation of the services of Miss Campbell on behalf of the Government and of the constituents of the electorate was expressed by Mr. F. L. Frost, M.P. After tracing the growth of the institution and quoting figures, Mr. Frost outlined some of the developments to be expected in the future. In this connection he showed how the advent of the Social Security Act had tended towards the perfection of a great co-operative eff ort among the people of New Zealand to fight illness and cure injury. He felt that attention would be concentrated in the days to come upon the prevention rather than the cure of disease. Mr. Frost concluded by paying a fine tribute to Miss Campbell's work and personality. "I am sure I voice the feelings of the citizens of all contributing towns in the Taranaki hospital district wheri I say that everyone of them deeply regrets that the time has arrived when Miss Campbell will sever her official connection with that fine institution, the New Plymouth hospital," said the Mayor. It was, said Mr. Gilmour, not only the nursing profession that owed a debt of gratitude to Miss Campbell. The hospital board itself was even more indebted to her. Throughout her long service she had devoted all her energy and efficiency to the best interest of the institution. Her work had been an inspiration and she had created a wonderful spirit of confidence and co-operation among the board, the medical and nursing staffs and the people, a combination which had brought the New Plymouth hospital to the forefront as one of the leading hospitals of the Dominion. "Although she is now retiring from her duties, I am sure Miss Campbell will ever retain the keenest interest in the institution," said Mr. Gilmour. "On behalf of the people of the four boroughs, I extend to her their esteem, affection and gratitude and their very best wishes." Country People's Gratitude. On behalf of country residents from Mokau to Opunake, Mr. F. Lawrence thanked Miss Campbell for many courtesies and the comforts of an exceptionally well-run institution. In wishing her a pleasant retirement with the best of health he said he was echoing the thoughts of hundreds of people from country districts who had either themselves passed through the hospital or had knowledge from the experience of relatives or friends. "If I were asked what is the outstanding character of Matron Campbell I would reply 'her devotion to duty,' " said Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths, who spoke as the representative of the New Plymouth Hnsnital Ex-natients' Association.

There were no 40 -hour weeks in Matron Campbell's conception of her duty, said Mr. Griffiths. She had served the people of the whole hospital district faithfully and well and it gave hjjn great pleasure to know that she was letiiing in excellent health. After speaking of her qualities of fairness and enthusiasm he suggested tlat Miss Campbell would find some outlet for her energies in the practical application of her position as vlcepresident of ihe association. "It frequcntly happens that the hospital board receives a certain amount of credit for the manner in which its institution is conducted," said Mr. Stainton. "I can assure you that most of the inspiration and all the perspiration come from the medical superintendent and the matron." The board, he said, had already taken advantage of an occasion to expiess its appreciation of Miss Campbell's services, but he was particularly glad to be able to state publicly how valued had been her work and how grateful had been members of the board for her able assistance. The success Miss Campbell had made of the hospital showed she practised the habit of making each day a day of opportunity. As a community, they were indebted to her in a manner beyond any possibility of repayment. Miss Campbell received an ovation upon rising. "As I have remarked in the last few weeks at several farewell functions that have been given in my honour I really cannot believe that I have merited all the kind things that have been said about me, but if I have merited only part my life's work will have been worthwhile," she said. Miss Campbell thanked _ the chairman, the other speakers, the Minister of Health, Dr. Watt, Miss Lambie and Mr. Clarke for their remarks. "I am sure you will all realise that tonight is a particularly trying one for me," she continued. "It means practically the end of my connection with the hospital and with my nursing staff. My life has been a very full one and one in which I have been exceedingly happy. I wish to thank the chairman and hospital

board most sincerely for their generous support. "I would like to take this opportunity of saying a few words of appreciation of the work done' by the Ex-patients' Association," said Miss Campbell. "This organisation is an excellent one and has done much to help the hospital. With the many demands made on the finances of the board it is quite impossible for them to provide additional comforts for the patients that cannot be construed as absolute necessities and the Ex-patients' Association has filled this want. Since its inception about two years ago interest has never fiagged. Therefore, I feel that this association merits the support not only of the residents of New Plymouth but from the country districts as well." Miss Campbell also spoke in appreciative terms of her nursing staff who, by their loyalty and devotion to duty, contributed in no small measure to any, measure of success she might have achieved. To Dr. Taylor and to the medical profession she tendered her grateful thanks for co-operation and assistance at all times. In conclusion she hoped the same generous co-operation ancl help that she had j received from all those associated with hospital work would be extcnded to her successor, Miss I^oeline Knight