HOSPITAL JUBILEE.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20279, 23 August 1937, Page 6

HOSPITAL JUBILEE.

FIRST PATIENT HONOURED. MR. J. J. DALEY, PIRONGIA. First in-patient to he treated at ttic Waikato Hospital when it was established 50 years ago, Mr. J. J. Daley, of Pirongia, who is still hale and hearty, was the recipient of a presentation from the Waikato Hospital Board at Pirongia on Saturday evening. The occasion was also that of the celebration of the sixth birthday of the Pirongia Women's Institute and the opportunity was taken of combining the two functions, the gathering being held in the library at Pirongia. Mrs. D. Lorimer, president of the Women’s Institute, presided and there was an attendance of about 70.

The Hospital Board was represented by the chairman, Mr. J. J. Ryburn, Messrs. S. C. B. Macky and F. Potts and the secretary, Mr. A. C. Burgess. I*n presenting Mr. Daley with an inscribed silver tea-pot, Mr. Ryburn referred briefly to the history of the board and of its work, since the separation of Hie Waikato from the Auckland hospital district. Mr. Daley was admitted to the first hospital in Hamilton on May 17. 1887, when there was only a doctor on the staff. Dr. G. G. Kenny. To-day, in the Waikato Hospital alone there were 12 doctors. 163 nurses and 133 other members of the staff, wlvle the total staff employed by the board was 452, comprising 16 do: tors, 237 nurses and 190 others. Messrs. Macky and Potts, on behalf of tile board, and Mr. T. Steele, of Pirongia. oldest friend of Mr Daley, also spoke. Mr Daley su'tab!- replied. thanking the board lor rcmcmK ~"ing him.