MATRON SUTHERLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 August 1939, Page 8

MATRON SUTHERLAND

ASSOCIATION WITH MASTERTON HOSPITAL.

Acknowledging a copy of the “Wairarapa Times-Age” forwarded a few weeks back, Mrs A. Wenborn, the Sup-erintendent-Secretary of the Sutherland Homes for orphans, neglected and destitute children, 28 Drummond St, Carlton, Melbourne, writes under date June 14 to Mr A. C. Holms, of Waipukurau (and formerly of Masterton): “Please let me thank you for so kindly sending me the “Wairarapa Times-Age” containing the article by Miss Ruby Parapa, Gladstone, on the late Miss Selina MacDonald Sutherland, who founded these homes. Because of that, as you can imagine, the article is of special interest to my committee and myself. During her many years of unselfish service in this city the late Miss Sutherland was held in high esteem by one and all and it is very pleasing to note that she commanded the regard and respect of the many in the Dominion who were privileged to know her. It is most interesting to observe that her noble work is commemorated at Masterton Hospital by the placing there of a brass tablet to her memory. It may be of interest to you to know that I followed Miss Sutherland’s successor, the late Sister Sanderson, as superintendentsecretary and I was associated with her for several years before her death. I am writing a letter to Miss Parapa to congratulate her on the life sketch. ’ Born at “Calgour,” parish of Loth, Sutherlandshire, Scotland, Miss Sutherland came to New Zealand in the 60’s, and made her home sister and brother-in-law, Mr and Mrs Robt Grant, “Bannockburn,” Gladstone. She was a dauntless Wairarapa nurse, primarily responsible for the establishment of the Masterton Hospital in 1877 and became the first matron. From 1879 till 1881 Miss Sutherland was matron of the Wellington Hospital and from that year till her death in 1909 controlled The Sutherland Homes, Melbourne.