MISS STEWART.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2499, 12 May 1909, Page 5

MISS STEWART.

PRESENTATION AND TESTIMONIAL.

Mis Stweart, late matron of the Gisborne Hospital, was waited upon at Mr. J. Townley’s residence yesterday morning by a deputation from the committee which organised a presentation to her, who asked her to accept- the gift that had been so liberally subscribed for by the public. The presentation took the form of a purse of sovereigns, and tho accompanying letter, signed by the members of the deputation on behalf of the subscribers: —

Gisborne, 11th May 1909

Dear Miss Stewart.—On your retirement from the matronship of the Gisborne Hospital after a- devoted term of nearly twenty years, your friends feel that they cannot allow the occasion to pass by without some substantial expression of the high appreciation in which you are held by ail with whom you have come into intimate contact. Your kindly disposition and soothing hands have conveyed comfort to very many sufferers whose misfortunes, have brought them under your ministrations. We trust you may live long to enjoy a well-earned repose which your unselfish and devoted labors have so justly entitled you to. As a token of tlie affection and esteem in which you are held, we beg your acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns.—We remain, dear Miss Stewart, on behalf of the subscribers —W. H. Tucker, A. F. Kennedy, John Townley. __ Miss Stewart replied, aim said she felt she hardly deserved all the mco things the committee bad said to her, but she wished to assure them that her 20 years’ service in the Hospital had been absolutely a labor of love. She expressed her gratitude to the Trustees who during the whole of her term had treated her with exemplary courtesy. Her long term of service had m a. manner impaired her health, but oven the short interval of rest she had enjoyed since her retirement had effected wonders, and Miss Stewart said she had never felt better in her life. It was her intention to take leisuiiely leave of her many friends, and ultimately she thought of settling m the north so as to bo in close toucli with, hoi sistor, Miss Stewart, matron of th© Thames Hospital. She had no intention of retiring to a life of idleness, but she was willing and still capable or taking up again the duties of her profession.. ; ' \ *