MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20497, 16 March 1932, Page 7

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. j i j HOSPITAL STAFF. I The proposal of Dr. J. R. Wells to introduce a staff of honorary surgeons and honorary physicians into the Asliburton Public Hospital was defeated at the Board meeting yesterday. In accordance with notice, Dr. Wells moved that applications be invited for one honorary surgeon and honoraiy assistant, and one honorary physician and honorary assistant for the Ashbur-/ ton Hospital. In support of the motion, Dr. Welle said he had previously gone into the advantages of an honorary staff. It now had an added significance on the score of economy. He wished it to be clearly understood that the offer of the medical pirofession to provide an honorary staff was free and did not entail any fees to the Board or public. The proposal was entirely favourable to those patients who were unable to obtain a choice of specialist treatment through their inability to pay. During two election ' campaigns he had reaffirmed nis belief in the proposal for an honorary staff in the hospital, and he interpreted the result of the election as a definite mandate from tho electors that they wished an honorary staff. Mr G. S. Hardy said he would second the motion pro forma, because it was a matter that they would have to bring to finality. He had always favoured an honorary staff, but tho time was not opportune. He did not think there would be a saving of more than £IOO per annum. Thero was also the doubt as to whether a member of the honorary staff would be available when required. In reply to Mr W. G. Gallagher, Dr. Wells said that the Board had the offer of the honorary staff at the present time.

Mr Gallagher stated that he was in favour of tho proposal, and he thought that the present time was most favourable for bringing it into force. Mr "W. Bryant said ho was opposed to the motion on the ground that they had one of the finest hospitals in the Dominion. An honorary staff was tried out some years ago and because that system was unsatisfactory a permanent medical superintendent had been appointed. Mr P. Frampton said he opposed the motion because the Board had all it desired in tho way of medical, surgical, and nursing staffs. "An honorary staff might not care what it cost to run the hospital, and the change might bo a dear one," said Mr W. T. Lill. He viewed the question with a. certain amount of suspicion. Never in tho history of the hospital had it been in better favour with the ratepayers than under the present system.

Mr C. A. Campion said he -tvas not utterly opposed to the motion, but its application to the Ashburton Hospital was not practicable, nor was it wanted by the majority of ratepayers. Mr A. Horsey (chairman) said that Dr. Wells had brought the motion very fairly before them. They would be very unwise to make a change at the present time. He would not say that he would oppose the motion if there was a change in the present hospital staff, but while they retained that staff he would not be in favour of the change. Dr. Wells said that there was never an honorary staff at the hospital so far as he knew. There had been a parttime medical superintendent with, private practice. In reply to Mr Bryant, he would say that at no timo had ho ever opposed the proposal of an honorary staff. The motion was lost, Dr. Wells and Mr Gallagher being the only members voting for it.

/ Middle-Aged Man Drowned, Death by drowning, there being no evidence to show how he entered the water, was the verdict given by tho District Coroner (Mr B. Clark) yesterday at the inquest into the death of Arthur Baker, aged 66 years, of Timaru, whose body was found in the Rangitata river. Evidence was given by Ambrose iheodore Palmer, farmer, of Rangitata, George Lawson Brown, Wai-iti road, Timaru, and Constable J. E. R. Myer, the last-named stating that the body was located in: a stream on the north side of the river. Star of Ashburton Lodge. The fortnightly meeting of the Star of Ashburton Lodge, No. 14, U.A.0.D., was held on Monday evening, when A.D., Bro. T. H. Pennall, presided over a good attendance. An invitation to a "community song" evening was accepted from the»Ladies' Lodge. It was decided to invite the Hibernian Lodge to a card evening on March 28th. As summer time expired this week, it was resolved that, the lodge meet at 7.30 p.m. ■ in future. At the close of the meeting a mock banquet was hold.

Harvest Festival Celebrations. The Salvation Army concluded its annual harvest festival celebrations last evening, when a programme of band music and items was given in the hall by the Silver Band, under Conductor H. J. T. Osborne. At the conclusion of the concert Captain W. J. Thompson thanked the performers. The produce used in the decoration of the hall was auctioned and the proceeds will be devoted to the local corps fund.

. Hospital Board. At the monthly meeting of the Hospital Board held yesterday, there were present: Messrs A. Horsey (chairman). W. G. Gallagher, C. A. Campion, W. Bryant, G. S. Hardy, W. T. Lill, F. Frampton, and Dr. J. E. Wells. The report of Dr. H. S. Billcliff, Medical Superintendent, stated that 61 patients remained in hospital at the end of January. During February 63 were admitted, 124 were trqated and 74 discharged, leaving 31 males and 19 females in the institution at the end of the month. During February there were 54 X-ray examinations, 359 out patient treatments, 219 massage treatments and seven plaster cases.

The reports from the maternity homes showed that during last month 12 patients were admitted to Malvern, 11 discharged, leaving sir in the institution; at Metbven two patients were admited, two discharged, and two remained; at Bakaia four were admitted and were discharged, leaving one. The report of the secretary-treasurer stated that at the beginning of March there was a credit of £259 lis 2d, and at the end of the month, which was also the end of the financial year,* there would be a credit balance of between £ISOO and £I6OO. Tne Hospital Committee reported that in view of the very definite ruling of the Audit Department, the donation received from the Ncwlands School Committee would be paid over to the Education Department. After going into the matter of the purchase of mutton for distribution among charitable aid cues, the Committee decided that the

question nhould be held over in the meantime-, pending further advice on the action the Government proposed to take. The Friendly Societies' Association had advised that it purposed obtaining further information the proposal to extend the lodge concession to patients admitted to maternity hospital for ante-natal care.

A comprehensive report dealing with the inside working of the Waipiata Sanatorium was submitted by the chairman, who said he had had the experience of being , a patient in the institution. He paid a tribute to the manner in which the sanatorium was conducted, stating that under the excellent internal system the non-profes-sional work was carried out Margely by patients who were well on the road to recovery. He wa3 of the opinion that every member of the Bonrd should visit Waipiata. Mr Gallagher reported upon the investigations of the special committee set up to consider outstanding fees. The committee found that' in many cases hospital debtors (farmers) were being carried on under what was known as the Chamber of Commerce Scheme. As hospital treatment was frequently the means of restoration to health of the man concerned, the committee felt that his fees, or at least a reasonable proportion of them, should be included in his budget, and recommended that the Board take up the question with the firms concerned. In a number of maternity hospital accounts the debtors, although they had drawn the maternity bonus from the National Provident Fund through their respective lodges, had paid nothing off their accounts. The committee considered that bearing in mind the object of the bonus, steps should be taken to ensuro that a reasonable proportion of tho bonus should be applied to tho account. It also recommended that as the basis of the correct keeping of accounts lay in obtaining the fullest particulars of tho patient's ability to pay, it bo impressed on matrons of matern ity hospitals that full information on this matter be given on tho form provided. All the reports were adopted. In accordance with a notice, Mr Lill moved that By-law 225 be altered to read: That each probationer will be received for three months' trial, at tho end of which period she will bo accepted for a further period of twelve months' probation, subject to the approval of the medical superintendent and matron. At the end of fifteen probation she will bo accepted for training, and will sign the form shown in By-law 270, if the medical superintendent and matron consider lier ablo and capable of training as a nurse. The motion was carried. Cricket. A senior match between the Ashburton Club and a team chosen from the remaining senior clubs in the county will bo played on the Domain oval on Saturday. The Combined Clubs' team is as follows:—Grenfell, Burton, Penrose, J. Varcoe, V. McNicoll (Technical), Steffens, E. and I. Watson (Methven), Hooper, Behrncs, and A. Doig (Rakaia). Emergencies: Elvy (Technical), Henderson (Rakaia), Gourley (Methven).

Presbyterian Church. The 57th annual meeting of the congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was held last evening, when the Eev. A. G. Irvine presided over a large attendance. The financial statement showed that the year commenced with a debit balance of £lll 6s 4d, and concluded with a credit of £92 lis 4d. Collections totalled £694 17s, and donations £lB7 Os 6d. The amount received for missions was £176 5s Id. The statement of the general fund for tho quarter ending January 31st showed a credit balance of £72 4s 7d. The Sunday School building fund showed a credit of £155 19s 7d, the organ fund a credit of £ll6, the Sunday School fund a credit of £1 Is 2d, tho Allenton Sunday School fund a credit of £1 lis sd, the Ashburton East Sunday School fund a credit of £2 17s lOd, the choir fund a credit of £4 17s 4d, and the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union fund a credit of £73 17s lOd.

Tho annual report of the Session stated that the attendances at Communion were: December 274, Marsh 281, Juno 247, and September 251. There had been 26 additions by profession of faith, and 15 by certificate. There had been six removals from the roll and 33 members had left the district. There had been 15 baptisms. The work among the young people had been carried on most faithfully, and the Session expressed its thanks to superintendents, teachers, and Bible Class leaders in this connexion. They mourned the death of Mr John Lane, who had been one of their leaders. It was with regret that they received the resignation of Mr E. Buchanan as superintendent of the Sunday School. They appreciated his work to the fullest degree. They could not speak too highly of the services of the choir.

The report of the church managers stated that Mr Robt. Thompson resigned owing to removal from the district, and thanks were tendered for his services. They also regretted the retirement of Mr Murdoch Bruce from the treasurership, after eleven years in that office. Thanks to the assistance of the Ladies' Guild, who contributed £IOO from the spring fair, they had been successful in wiping off the overdraft. Their minister gave a good lead by preaching on his holiday Sundays, thereby relieving the fund of supply expenses. The golden offering taken up during the anniversary services yielded £9l 14s 2d for the reduction of the debt on the Sunday School. The first payment from the Ardentrive Cameron trust had been received and spent on books for the Sunday School library. Reports on the activities of .the various organisations associated with the church' were also submitted. Votes of sympathy were passed with Messrs M. Bruce and J. E. Kee, who are ill. Comprehensive votes of thanks were passed to all church workers, including the Rev. Mr Irvine, Mrs" Irvine, and Mr A. J. Ching (treasurer). Women's Institute. There was a very large attendance at the annual meeting of the Ashburton District Women's- Institute, over which Mrs W. G. Marshall presided. A display of work done by the members was made, and was very much admired. Mrs R. Austin, of Mayfield, was accorded a vote of thanks for her work in the early stages of the Institute, and thanks were also extended to the Hakatere Lodge and to Mrs T. Lewitt, for their interest in the activities of the Institute during the past year. The District Institute's competition for the year was won by Mrs A. Shaw, with Mrs L. Waller second. The prize for frocks made from New Zealand wool went to Mrs L. E. Aitken, of the AshburtOD District Institute. A competition for garments knitted with Ashburton wool was won by Mrs T. Hunt, of the Hampstead Institute, and a competition for moccasins made from home-cured skins was won by Mrs Austin (Mayfiold). Mrs L. Hood, of Mt. Somers, won the competition for moccasins made from New Zealand bought skins. Songs wero contributed by Mrs R. Fisher, of Tinwald. Tho following officers were elected:— President, Mrs E. A. Cockroft; vice-

president, Mrs W. G. Marshall; committee, Mesdames F. E. Amos, A. Bray, S. Coates, E. Corbett, F. Curtis, M. C. Knox, 0. M. Moore, C. Rickard, A. Shaw, and W. H. Woods, and Miss G. Oakley. The hostesses were Mesdames J. Arthur, J. E. Christian, D. Fitzgerald, and H. A. Lloyd, and Misses M. Drummond and N. Watson. Mesdames Cockroft and Coates were appointed delegates to thei annual meeting of the Canterbury Federation at Geraldine in April. The prizes were presented by Mrs E. Corbett. Swimming Carnival. The final carnival of the season was held by the Ashburton East Amateur Swimming Club last evening in fine but chilly weather. The Hunt Shield was won by Maurice Tait and the Hardy Shield by Doreen Tilley. Results were:— SO YARDS, SCHOOLBOYS, HUNT SHIELD. M. Tait (scr) . • " i J. M. Chilton (7sec) .. 2 L. Kerr (6sec) • • .. 3 Sis started. Time, 50 l-ssec. 50 YARDS, SCHOOLGIRLS, HARDY SHIELD. Doreen Tilley (scr) .. .. 1 Three started. Time, 55 3-ssec. O. "Wilson swam into first place but was disqualified for starting before time. 100 YARDS OPEN HANDICAP. • W. Blight (lOsec) .. ..1 R. Crum (9see) .. • • 2 S. Thompson (ssec) .. 3 Six started. Time, lmin 22 4'ssec. 50 YARDS WOMEN'S HANDICAP Mis* L. Glennie (lsec) .. 1 Miss M. Brosnalian (lsec) . . 2 Miss M. Schluter (3sec) . .3 Four started. Time, 41 2-ssec. 25 YARDS OPEN HANDICAP. First heat (6): Rose (6sec) 1, D. White (ssec) 2. Time, 17 2-ssec. Second heat (5): R. Keeley (3sec) 1. Miss M. Schluter (ssec) 2. Time, 20sec. Third heat (4): B. Walls (6sec) 1, N. Thomson (3sec) 2. Time, 19 3-ssec. Final. Rose i. •• ** i AVhit© • • • • • • 2 Walls .. •• "3 Time, 18 l-ssec. PLATE DIVE. D. White (8) .. .. 1 1 Husband (6) . . . • 2 Five competed. 50 YARDS JUNIOR HANDICAP. First heat: T. McNally (3sec) 1, W. Blight (scr) 2. Time, 41sec. Second heat: D. White (4sec) I, A. Leask (4sec) 2. Time, 40sec. Final. McNally .. .. 1 Blight .. •• 2 Leask .. .. 3 Time, 38 3-ssec. OPEN DIVE. Hiss J. Blight . . ..< 1 Miss H. Lithgow .. ..2

75 YARDS RELAY. S. Thompson, W. Blight, H. Dalley (1 sec) 1 R. Crum, R. Keeley, G. Glossop (3sec) 2 N. Thomson, Miss M. Weston, Miss H. Lithgow (4sec) . . 3 Time, 54 3-ssec. METHVEN. At a meeting of the committee ot the Women's Institute, held on Monday, Mrs J. F- Stone presided. Further arrangements for the birthday concert were discussed, and it was decided to hold a practice at the next meeting of the Institute. It was decided to hold a competition for the best piece of hand-painted china as well as for th® best decorated bowl of flowers. A meeting of the District High School Jubilee Celebrations Committee was held on Monday, Mr J. F. Stone presiding. Mr A. S. Kennedy presented a plan to deal with the afternoon tea on the occasion of the reunion, whioh vm adoptod. Min Grew

Morgan reported that she and her (assistants had canvassed the town to arrange billeting for visitors with satisfactory results. For the Finance Committee, Mr Stone read an estimate of the probable expenditure amounting to £lO5. Mr W. Fairclough gave £1 Is to be allotted as prizes at the picnic sports at the discretion of the committee. Mr J. Connolly, M.P., wrote accepting an invitation to be present and enclosed a donation of one guinea. Professor Bands, in a letter regretting" his inability to attend, said he had never ceased to be thankful for two things: (1) That he had been born and brought up in such a healthy country town as Methven, and (2) that he received his primary education under two such conscientious and sound teachers as Mr Gillanders and Miss Willis, and he attributed any success he had achieved to the thorough grounding in the fundamentals received at the Methven school. Mr A. R. Gourlay, for the Sports Committee, presented the proposed >sporte programme, which was adopted." It was decided to ask the local ministers to arrange for the church service on Easter Sunday with the recommendation that they nivite the Rev. G. K. Aitken (a former chairman of the School Committee) to take part, and that Mr Alan Hercus, a former pupil of the school, be asked tc give the address. It was agreed to ask the oldest ex-teacher. present to plant a memorial oak tree in the school grounds.

BARRHILL. At an examination held in connexion with the home nursing classes, conducted at Barr Hill recently by Sister D. Christian, the following gained certificates:—Misses JFairey, Hayward, and Young, and Mesdames Stephens, Gemniel, Toon, Hurst, Holmes, Tizzard, Gilmour, and Hooper. The annual meeting of the Barrhill Women's Institute was held in the schoolroom, Mrs Doak presiding over a good attendance. . The election of officers resulted as follows President, Mrs Doak; vice-presidents, Mesdames Holmes and Cairns; committee, Mesdames Doak, Cairns, Holmes, Tizzard, Clemens,- and Gilmour, and Miss Lonie; .secretary j Miss Hayward; treasurer, Miss Fairey. The roll-call for the afternoon was a useful hint. Mesdames Clemens and Doak were the hostesses.

MT. SOMERS. The third annual meeting of theMt. Somers Football dub was held in the library on Saturday evenin'g. Mr J. T. Bull presided over an attendance of • 22. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £1 ss. A letter from a member of the Ashburton Rugby Union suggesting the amalgamation of the Mt. Somers and Springburn Clubs, did not find favour. It was decided to enter a junior team in the county competitions. Membership fees were reduced to 2s 6d. The following office bearers were elected:—President, Mr D. W. Herron; vice-presidents, Messrs A. N. Grigg, E. C. Wood, A. Bull, and H, H. Hood; club captain, Mr W. Morgan; vice-captain, Mr J. Kilian; hon. secretary-treasurer, Mr W. Smith; committee, Messrs A. R, Becklev, T. Graham, and J. T. Bull; coach and sole Selector, Mr D. W. Herron. The appointment of a delegate to the Ashburton Rugby Union was held over.

PENDARVES. There was a large attendance at the Presbyterian Church, held on Sunday, when Sister Annie, of the Ruatahuna Maori Mission, gave an interesting address on the work done by the missionaries among the Maoris in the Urewera Country,

RAKAIA. Harvest thanksgiving services were conducted in the Rakaia Methodist Church on Sunday morning;and.evening, and at Mead in the afternoon. There were good attendances, and at Mefid the local Girl Guides paraded under Lieutenant Cornelius. ' All the services were conducted by the Rev. K. A. Robinson, who preached appropriate sermons. The oneringi of, fruit, vegetables, grain, and other produce were sold on Monday, evening in aid of the church funds, and a:good Bum was realised. . , :