NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 123, 26 May 1932, Page 19

NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL DR. J. W. CRAVEN CHOSEN. DECISION BY BALLOTS. Following a series of elimination ballote yesterday afternoon, Dr. Joseph Wilfrid Craven, of Birkenhead, was appointed medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, ■ in succession to Dr. C. E. Maguire. The cluiirinan, Mr. W. Wallace',; announced that Dr. Craven would be able to take up his new duties at an early date. Twelve, applications were considered, for the final selection, and over an hour was spent by the board at a special meeting yesterday afternoon in examining the testimonials. On the motion of the Rev. W. C. Wood, seconded by Mr. 0. T. Pirvin, it was decided to> reduce the applications to six and arrive at the selection by elimination ballots. ' As a result of the initial reduction ballot the following live applicants were left: Dr. J. W. Craven, of Birkenhead; Dr. A. D. Nelson, of Wanganui; Dr. S. Arnott, of England; Dr. J. L. Gould, acting medical superintendent Auckland Hospital; and Dr. A. C. B. Biggs, of Xapier. In the succeeding ballots Drs. Gould, Arnott and Biggs were eliminated. The final ballot between Drs. Craven anil Nelson resulted in the selection of the former by nine votce to two. The chairman thereupon moved that the appointment be made. This was seconded by Dr. E. B. Gur>son, and carried unanimously. The New Superintendent. Dr. Craven is 43 years of age, is married and has two children. He has been in private practice in Birkenhead since 1020. Dr. Craven carried on his studies at Bede School, Sunderland, University of Durham College of Medicine,, and Royal Victorian Infirmary, and holds the degrees of Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. He qualified in 1012, and received the higher degree in 1921. He held all the house appointments possible at the Royal Victorian Infirmary. Joining the R.A.M.C. in 1913, Dr. Craven was mobilised for war Bervice in 1914 and proceeded to France in April, 1915. In 101G he was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Croix de Chevalier. Promoted acting-major <in 191S, Dr. Craven won the Military Cross shortly afterwards, and before the end of the year had risen to the rank of actiiKT-lieutenant-colonel. Returning to England in 1919, he was .appointed deputy commissioner of medical eervices northern region of England, under the Ministry of Pensions. In 1924, Dr. Craven attained the rank of lieutenantcolonel R.A.M.C, and two years later received the territorial decoration. From October, 1921, until November, 1920, he was in private practice in England. He came to New Zealand in 1920.