Doctor Annie Agnes Baird, MA, MB, ChB -24/6/1920.

Annie Agnes Baird was one of five children (out of seven) of the Rev James Baird and his wife Elizabeth who became doctors. She was born in the small town of Hampden, North Otago.  The family moved to Winton, another small town, in Southland.  There she went to school and later graduated from Otago University.
  

Miss Agnes Baird, daughter of the Rev. Jas. Baird, late of Winton, has secured her M.A. degree at Glasgow University. In physics she took first place, gaining the medal. In the terms' exams she was first in English out of a class of 60, and also first in materia medica. Her brother, Mr J. H. Baird, B.A., in the terms' examinations took the only first class certificate in anatomy, and was first out of 92. He also gained a first class certificate in physiology, and top place with 85 per cent, in a class of 105.   -Otago Witness, 4/6/1902.

PERSONAL

The Rev. James Baird has received word by cable that his daughter, Miss Annie Baird, M.A., and his son. Mr J Henderson Baird, B.A., have passed their final medical examinations at the University of Glasgow and obtained their degrees of M.B. and Ch.B. It is understood that Dr J. H. Baird will sail for New Zealand in September, but that Dr Agnes Baird intends to remain at Home for a time. These successes bring the fourth degree in medicine into the Rev. Mr Baird’s family. His eldest son is the well-known medico of Otautau, and his daughter, Dr Helen S. Baird, is practicing her profession in Invercargill. Dr J. H. and Dr Agnes have now joined the ranks of the practitioners, and it only remains to add that the rev. gentleman's youngest son is at present studying medicine at the University of Otago. Five medicos from one family (remarks the 'Southland Times') is surely an unusual record, and one on which the late minister of the Winton Presbyterian Church and his esteemed wife may be heartily congratulated.   -Evening Star, 15/7/1905.

After returning to New Zealand from medical studies in Scotland, Dr Baird (according to "Ladies in the Laboratory III: South African, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Women in Science") practised for some time in the Central Otago town of Pembroke, now Wanaka - due to its drier climate.

I ANNIE AGNES BAIRD, M.A., Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (University of Glasgow), now residing in Invercargill, hereby give notice that I intend applying on tne 30th of September next to have my name placed on the Medical Register for the Colony of New Zealand; and that I have deposited the evidence of my qualification in the office of the Registrar of Births and Deaths at Invercargill

- A. AGNES BAIRD. Dated at Invercargill, August. 29th, 1907.   -Southland Times, 30/8/1907.


AMUSEMENTS

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE (Nursing Division) Meets TO-DAY, 8 p.m., In Brigade Room. Lecture on “The Nervous System,” by Dr Agnes Baird. All ladies interested arc welcome. By Order.   -Southland Times, 15/3/1912.

The first district convention of the Southland branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union was held at Invercargill yesterday, the Gore delegates being Mesdames Simpson, Stewart and E. C. Smith and those from Mataura Mesdames Menzies, Brown and Landels. The following resolutions were carried unanimously: "That the convention considers means to guard against the possible introduction of the white slave traffic; that a protest be made against an increase of racing permits; that measures be taken to prevent the evasion of maintenance claims in affiliation cases; that better provision be made for maternity nurses with special view to the needs of backblocks residents; that Parliament be petitioned to remove the injustice of the three-fifths handicap and allow a simple majority to decide in licensing as in other matters; that the early closing of hotels be asked for. (Moved by Mrs Lee-Cowie and agreed to.) (1) That sly grog-selling would be sooner abolished if persons convicted of it were declared prohibited; (2) that the attention of the National Council be drawn to the proselytising of Mormons, particularly in the North Island; (3) that efforts be made to promote the settlement of both national and industrial disputes by arbitration. Dr. Agnes Baird read an instructive paper on the causes, prevention and cure of tuberculosis; and Mrs Harrison (Tuatapere) gave a most interesting and inspiring address on women's work and the opportunities afforded by the union. Eight delegates from the Bible-in-Schools League were then introduced, and after addresses had been given the following resolution was carried: "That this District Convention, representing eight branches of the W.C.T.U. of Southland, cordially endorses the platform of the Bible-in-Schools League and pledges itself to help in every possible way the bringing of the Bible into the schools of New Zealand." Mrs Smith, of Gore, then gave a helpful address on W.C.T.U. work, making reference to the League of Service, or which there is a branch at Gore.  -Mataura Ensign, 13/11/1913.



Notice. 

DR. GILMOUR will be away from Roxburgh until TUESDAY 28th inst., and during his absence Dr Agnes Baird may be consulted at the Surgery from 10 a.m, to 4 p.m, daily.  -Mt Benger Mail, 22/9/1915.

It is possible that the dry climate of Pembroke was chosen as part of trying to deal with the disease which ultimately killed Dr Baird.  She died of tuberculosis in 1920.

Dr Macpherson, who has recently undergone a successful operation to his eyes, has resigned his appointment to the Wanaka Medical Association and sails for England on an extended holiday about the end of the month (says the Wanaka correspondent of the Argus). Meanwhile Dr Agnes Baird, Graduate of Glasgow Ddiversity, who has practised in Wales and at Invercargill, is carrying on the practice. The loss of Dr Macpherson will be keenly felt in this district, as he was a man of many parts, and took a keen interest in all matters for the good of the district, being chairman of the Patriotic Committee, and of the school committee, and a member of nearly every other onmnittee with a useful purpose.  -Lake County Press, 27/1/1916.


PERSONAL

Dr Agnes Baird, who has been practising in the district for the past 12 months, and who has been compelled to retire on account of ill-health, left for Queenstown last week (says the Wanaka correspondent of the ‘Cromwell Argus’), Dr Grinlin, B.S., M.R.C.S., England, was appointed to the vacancy caused by the retirement of Dr Baird.   -Evening Star, 16/11/1916.


PERSONAL

Dr Agnes Baird, who has beon recuperating in this district for the past twelve months, took her departure from Queenstown on Saturday morning last, it being her intention to seek a change in the North Island.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 4/12/1917.

PROFESSIONAL NOTICES

(A Card.) 

AGNES BAIRD has resumed the practice of her profession at her Residence, 

156 SPEY STREET. 

Consulting Hours; 10—12 a.m. 6.30—7.30 pm.   -Southland Times, 23/1/1919.

Dr Agnes Baird, third daughter of the Rev. James Baird, Invercargill, died at Wyndham, at the residence of her brother, Dr J. H. Baird. Dr Baird had been in bad health for a number of years. About eight weeks ago she left Invercargill on a visit, during which she became seriously ill and was unable to return home. Baird was born at Hampden, and, when she was quite young her people removed to Winton. After attending the Southland Girls' High School she spent some time at the Normal Training College (Dunedin). She decided to continue her studies in Britain, and she attended the Glasgow University for some time. There besides gaining her M.B. and Ch. B degrees she graduated M.A. Returning to New Zealand she began to practise in Invercargill, and for six or seven years she remained there. Dr Baird has one sister and three brothers, all medical practitioners.  -Otago Daily Times, 26/6/1920.

Wyndham Cemetery.