BACTERIOLOGICAL WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 65, 17 March 1915, Page 8

BACTERIOLOGICAL WORK.

A LABORATORY TO BE | ESTABLISHED. HOSPITAL BOARD'S DECISION. DETAILS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE. The question of the establishment of a laboratory and the appointment of a bacteriologist in connection with the I Auckland hospital was again discussed by the Hospital Board last night, the Inspector-General of Hospitals, Dr. I Valintine, attending the meeting in order to place before it the conditions which the Government proposed in consideration of State assistance in establishing a pathological department. Dr. Valintine explained that it was' in May, 1013. that he approached the ] Government with the object of appointing a Government bacteriologist at each of the four chief centres. Approval was given, and as a result an appointment was made at Wellington, while the Department assisted in the upkeep of the laboratory. The result hail been a commercial ns well as a pathological success, as much as £300 having been obtained in fees. The Department suggested so far as Auckland was' concerned that applications be invited by advertisement in New Zealand, Aus-, tralia, and the Cnited Kingdom, the . salary to range from £000 to £700 i per annum, his passage money to he i paid by tbe Government. Dr. Valintine ! pointed out that the Government would pay actually half of the bacteriologist's salary, irrespective of the subsidy, which would mean that the Government ! reaSly paid about two-thirds of the . salary. For the maintenance of the laboratory itself, however, the Govern- . ment would pay half by means of the • ordinary statutory subsidy. Tho ' Government laid down that the success-

ful applicant should be termed Government bacteriologist and pathologist. In reply to members Dr. Valintine said that the appointment would really be made by the Board, with the approval of the Public Service Commissioner. The Chairman: If the upkeep of the laboratory, including the hactcriologist's salary, cost say £1,200 a year, what would be onr share? .Mr. Bagnall: The position would be that the Board would have to pay £450 itself, £450 out of Government sub-sidy, and the Government would pay £."500 towards the salary of the bacteriologist. .Mr. Wallace moved that before anything definite be done the Board seek further .information from Wellington, C'hristchtirch and Dunedin respecting the cost of upkeep and efficiency of . their pathological departments. .Mr. Uaguall expressed the opinion that it was unnecessary to waste further time in seeking such information. He contended they were already in a good position to deal with the matter, and he moved, therefore, as an amendment, "That in the opinion of this Board it is desirable that a pathological and bacteriological department be established at the Auckland hos- , pital. on the lines recommended by Professor T. Champtaloup, of Otago Uni- , versity, and that the matter be referred ' to the Hospital Committee to arrange • details." [ Mr. Wallece, after brief discussion, . [ agreed to withdraw his motion, and . Mr. ■ BagnalFs proposal was carried ) unanimously.