A BIG APPOINTMENT

FROM WELLINGTON HOSPITAL

STAFF

NEW SANITARY CORPS.

An offer has been received by Dr. Basil Adams, Tuberculosis Medical Officer at the Wellington Hospital, to take up the command of a very important, portion of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces.

On 24th February Dr. Valintine, Director of Military Hospitals, wrote to Dr. Adams asking him to call at the office as soon as possible for the purpose, of discussing his taking command of the Sanitary Corps which the Government proposed to send abroad. "I believe," wrote Dr. Valintine, "you possess a Diploma of Public Health, and I know that otherwise you are qualified to take over the command in question if such should meet with your desires." Two days later, after the interview, Dr. Valintine wrote offering, by direction of General Henderson, the position of officer in command of the Sanitary Corps. Dr. Adams, he said, would be required to go into camp at Awapuni at an early date.

The matter necessarily involved the granting of leave of absence to Dr. Adams from the staff of the Wellington Hospital, and it was considered at a special meeting of the board this afternoon.

The Chairman (Mr. H. Baldwin) said it Avas felt that Dr. Adams' absence meant the shutting up of the Avhole of the tuberculosis department of which he had charge. At the same time, the question arose as to Avhether it is not our duty to send the best men possible to look after those who have.gone to the front to fight for the Empire. Dr. Adams's acceptance of the position meant his absence for twelve months.

Rev. H. Van Staveren said that when the matter came before the Public Health Committee he had suggested that six months' leave of absence would be sufficient. It was found, however, that he must get leave for twelve months, and that there was no one to take up his work. That meant that all they had spent on the Avork in which Dr. Adams had been engaged would be Avasted. He moved that six months' leave of absence be granted to Dr. Adams. For that oeriod the nurse engaged could take charge of the cases, but she could not carry on for twelve months.

Dr. Adams read a brief report of the result of his labours during the eleven months that he has had charge of the work. He said that he had spent some time in remedying the shocking state of affairs that he found on taking up his duties. During that period 541 persons had been examined, and 228 found to be suffering from tuberculosis. Of those cases, 46 are now dead. 53 had left the Wellington district, and 17 Aye-re under the care of medical practitioners. Dr. Adams added that the range of contagion had been absurdly exaggerated, and that the trouble of dealing with the complaint had been increased through patients not leaving drink alone.

Dr. Adams Avas granted leave of absence during the period; two months on full pay.