DR. ARCHER HOSKING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 May 1939, Page 7

DR. ARCHER HOSKING

FAREWELLED BY HOSPITAL BOARD TRIBUTES TO LONG AND ABLE SERVICE. A REMINISCENT SURVEY. Ail association dating' back In 1903 was severed yesterday when Dr Archer Hosking, who recently retired from the position of Medical Superintendent of the Masterton Hospital, was officially farewelled by Hie Wairarapa Hospital Board and senior members of tin* nursing staff. Presentations were made at an afternoon tea gathering- and tributes were paid to. Dr llosk-

ing’s many years of service

at the hospital. The chairman. Mr H. H. Mawley, said it was with mixed feelings that they had assembled together to entertain Dr Hosking. They were very happy and pleased to be able to farewell Dr Hosking, but at the same time they were very sorry to see him go. The' hospital, however, had grown out of all recognition and it had been 1 absolutely necqssary to secure the services of a full-time Medical Superintendent. Dr Hosking first became associated with the Masterton Hospital in 1898 and had been Medical Superintendent since 1903. In that year the daily average bed-state was 9, while now it had grown to over 120 After referring to the great responsibility that rested on medical men. Mr Mawley wished Dr Hosking and Mrs Hosking many years of continued health and happiness and, on behalf of the board, presented Dr Hosking with a valuable camera and a cheque in appreciation of his many years of sterling service. Cheers were given for Dr and Mrs Hosking, who were also accorded musical honours. Dr Hosking, who was greeted with applause, said: "This retiring business is usually associated with regret. It means parting with old associations. I will, however, at all times do all I can for the Masteiion Hospital, particularly in time of emergency.” Dr Hosking recalled that he had seen many changes during his years of association with the hospital. At the outset there had ’ been two married 'couples and subsequently thirteen matrons, all of whom he had known. Since he had taken charge there had been eight different matrons and they had all been of a splendid type and had contributed largely to the development of the hospital. After referring ’to his association with members of the board over a long period of years, Dr Hosking- said that in retiring he had left the hospital in a sound position. He took pride in the -way the hospital had developed. It could now compare with any hospital of its size in New Zealand. It had a particularly good reputation as a training school for nurses. The nurses were building up fine traditions. They were not saints, but he never saw any good come out of a saint yet. (Laughter). The late Dr P. R. Cook was the first to join him at the hospital and then came Dr J. A. Cowie. The three of them were the “old boys.” A young chap named Prior later joined them. They had great hopes of him and those hopes had been amply fulfilled. His medical colleagues had all been “good chaps.” At no time had there ever been any friction between members of the board and himself. He expressed keen appreciation of the farewell and the presentations.

Mr Mawley also welcomed the new Medical Superintendent, Dr T. L. Parr and Mrs Parr. Dr Parr, he said, was the right man in the right place and he had every confidence in his ability and his administrative qualifications.

An enjoyable afternoon tea was provided by the hospital sisters, who were accorded a hearty vote of thanks.