The Dr George Alfred Harrison Memorial Gates in Eltham's Taumata Park were officially opened by Eltham's Mayor, Thomas Buddle Crump (c1865-1934), during the town's Peace Celebrations on 13 November 1918.
"Dr G A Harrison came to Eltham from England in 1894 and commenced practice. He travelled about the district in a horse and buggy later driven by a groom. Early in October 1898 when returning home from a call at Mangatoki, his horse reared and threw itself, the buggy and the doctor into a stream 20 feet below.....Dr Harrison became a highly-respected figure in the district because of his confident and cheerful nature".
In February 1913 a prick from a safety pin to his thumb at his cottage hospital in King Edward Street proved fatal. With the resulting death of Dr Harrison (aged just 46), the whole town went into mourning and a short time later Memorial Gates were erected at the eastern entrance to Taumata Park in his honour.
From: Eltham - One Hundred Years (1984) by Russell Standish.
Inscription on pillar plaque:
SACRED / TO / THE MEMORY OF GEORGE ALFRED / HARRISON, M.R.C.S. / LONDON, L..R.C.P. / ENGLAND.
WHO DID GOOD AND / FAITHFUL WORK IN / THE RELIEF OF / SUFFERING, IN / THIS DISTRICT, FOR / MANY YEARS, / AND DIED 23RD / FEBRUARY 1913.
Related Documents:
Dr G A Harrison's obituary (Hawera & Normanby Star 24 February 1913)
Bath Street (Word on the Street collection)
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