Sister Margaret Bilton, 1869-21/10/1934.

URUTI DISTRICT NURSE.

Mr. O'Sullivan referred to the district nurse at Uruti, and said everyone was very well pleased with the choice Dr. Valintine had made. The district nurse had already made herself very popular with the settlers. Immediately upon her arrival at Uruti the was asked to take up her duties, and she readily consented. Her first patient was Mr. Jupp's little boy, and whilst he did not wish to detract in any way from the value of the doctor's services, Mr. Jupp's opinion was that Nurse Bilton's skill and constant attention had saved the little fellow's life. He believed that had they had a district nurse earlier other lives would have been saved. 

In reply to the chairman, Mr. O'Sullivan said he would heartily recommend any district having a district nurse.   -Taranaki Herald, 8/9/1909.

Speaking in regard to the district nurse scheme at the hospital board meeting yesterday. Dr. Valintine, Inspector-General, said it was gratifying to him to learn that the system was starting so well at Uriti and that the people were satisfied. The system was sure to take on and already he had received several inquiries as to the success or otherwise of the appointment in Taranaki. He was of opinion that the appointment of district nurses on the lines now adopted — the settlers contributing a share of the cost — should form an integral part of our hospital system, so that the country settlers, who it was admitted made such great contributions to the upkeep of our hospitals, might know that they were not being forgotten or overlooked. He would watch with very great interest Nurse Bilton's work, and hoped to be able to go out during the summer months and personally convey his appreciation of her continued success m her most honourable position. He added that at large meetings recently of nurses in one or two centres he had emphasised his opinion that the position of district nurse was one that should be lookod up to as the most honourable position in the nursing world, for these nurses were the outposts who had to bear the brunt of bad weather and bad roads in carrying out their duties.  -Taranaki Herald, 10/9/1909.

NOTES BY RAMBLER.

Nurse Bilton, at Uruti, has had a very busy time since taking over that and the Tongaporutu district about a month ago. In fact, she was taken away as soon as she arrived, and has had up to the present  time only one night at her headquarters at Uruti. Every one speaks well of the kindness received at her hands.  -Taranaki Herald, 29/9/1909.

Personal

Nurse Bilton, district nurse at Uruti, has been granted leave of absence for a month, her health having broken down owing to the strenuous nature of her duties. She leaves shortly on a trip to the South Island.  -Taranaki Herald, 16/3/1910.

NOTES BY RAMBLER

There is a great deal of sickness in tho district. Mr. Harry Rickards, junr., was taken to the hospital on Sunday last but is now on the mend, and the doctor had to be sent for to attend Mrs. A. Gibbs, who is seriously indisposed, but now Nurse Bilton is in attendance we may soon, with her skilful nursing, expect a speedy recovery.   -Taranaki Herald, 30/7/1910.

Notes for Women

Nurse Bilton, of Sumner, arrived from Christchurch on Thursday and intends spending a week in Wellington with her brother, Mr H. Bilton, before leaving for England next week.   -NZ Times, 3/4/1915.

Notes for Women

Nurse Bilton, of Sumner, has been appointed to the nursing staff of No. 19 Military Hospital, Alexandria.  -NZ Times, 27/9/1915.

WOMAN'S WORLD.

PERSONAL. 

Sister Bilton (the pioneer nurse of Uruti district) who has been on active service for four and a half .years, has now returned to New Zealand, and spent a few days in New Plymouth this week.   -Taranaki Daily News, 11/10/1919.

SISTER M. L. BILTON 

The death occurred in a private hospital in Auckland yesterday of Sister Margaret L. Bilton, of Canterbury, at the age of 65 years. Sister Bilton was the third daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Bilton, of Timaru, and was born in Christchurch. She was trained at the Napier Hospital and was the first district nurse appointed in New Zealand under the present district nursing scheme. She was stationed first at Urity, in the Taranaki district, and later at Waiuta, on the West Coast of the South Island. 

During the war Sister Bilton was attached to the Imperial forces and served in hospitals in Egypt, Malta and England. In addition, she served for some time on the hospital ship Dover Castle. In recent years Sister Bilton had led a retired life in Christchurch, spending the winters in Auckland. She had been here two months when her death occurred. Mr. G. Bilton, of Pio Pio, is a brother.  -NZ Herald, 22/3/1934.

ADDITIONS TO MUSEUM.

Early Portraits; and Flags from the Franconia. 

Several very interesting additions have been made to the Christchurch Museum during the past week. Of special interest to students of local history and early settlers is a framed and handsomely illustrated group of photographs of the founders of the Canterbury Vocal Union, a musical society of over eighty years ago. It was presented to the Museum by Mrs Jane Joll, of Auckland, whose father, Mr J. F. McCardell. was conductor of the society. Mrs Joll has also presented a characteristic portrait of Mr Crosbie Ward, taken in 1885 or 1887. Two semaphore flags from the Franconia, which was torpedoed in the Mediterranean during the Great War are another addition. They are presented bv a sister of the late Nurse Bilton, of Christchurch, who was on the hospital ship Dover Castle when it rescued the survivors. Nurse Bilton was given the flags by the captain of the Franconia.  -Star, 10/12/1934.

Timaru Cemetery.