Valintine Place

Dr Thomas Harcourt Ambrose Valintine was born in Sussex, England in 1865. He was educated at Marlborough College and gained his medical qualifications at the prestigious St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. Valintine registered as a medical practitioner in 1888 and after gaining some practical experience, he immigrated to New Zealand in 1891.

Shortly after his arrival he married Margaret Ellis McTaggart and the couple settled in Inglewood. There the rugged backcountry terrain necessitated the use of a horse for most visits. In 1894 while on one of his calls his horse was spooked and Dr Valintine's left leg was badly crushed and had to be amputated at the knee.

Despite this significant disability, Dr Valintine soon resumed his arduous backblock rides.

In the end he was forced to accept a less physically demanding role with the Public Health Service as the assistant Chief Health officer.

This important position saw Dr Valintine focus on the serious tuberculosis problem. One of the first tangible results of his work was the opening of a tuberculosis annexe at New Plymouth Hospital in 1905.

After nearly 30 years in health administration Dr Valintine retired in 1930, at which time he was the Director General of Health. Dr Valintine died on 30 August 1945, aged 79. His funeral service was held at St Mark's Church in Lepperton and he was buried in the Lepperton Cemetery.

His obituary in the New Zealand Medical Journal recorded he, "rendered great service by his breezy and kindly personality, his energy, initiative and persistence."

His record of outstanding public service was recognised in 1973 when a short cul-de-sac off Leatham Avenue was named after him. Quite appropriately, Dr Leatham was a fellow physician and colleague of Dr Valintine.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.