MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20904, 11 July 1933, Page 7

MID-CANTERBURY

-——♦ ASHBURTON. RELIEF OF DISTRESS. "The system o)! distributing relief rations at the Ashburton Hospital is equal to any in New Zealand," said Mr W. Bryant at the Hospital Board meeting yesterday. He stated that 175 families had been given relief in an hour on Saturday, and most of the rations comprised the produce and sheep which were collected in the recent campaign in the county. The chairman (Mr W. G. Gallagher) stated that a good deal of criticism had been received concerning the distribution of relief to cases which were not in need of it. The critics were not c 0 ready, however, to supply the names of those who were not in need of the assistance given to them. Mr Bryant stated that the boards relief committee would treat as confidential information given in that way. Hospital Superintendent. The report that 22 applications from highly qualified men had been received for the position of medical superintendent of the Ashburton Public Hospital was made to the board yesterday by the chairman (Mr W. G. r,allagher>. who stated that two had been received from England and one from Melbourne. It showed that the position was very desirable, and much sought after. The Director-General of Health (Dr. M. H. Watt) had stated that as there was no honorary staff at Ashburton a surgeon should be appointed to the position. The applications were considered in committee. It was afterwards reported that the names of two applicants had been selected for submission to the Director-General of Health, and the nnme of the successful applicant would be released for publication upon receipt of his reply. Personal. Mr H F. Nicoll, president of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, and Mr F. B. Robilliard, vice-president of the Ashburton Trotting Club, left Ashburton yesterday for Wellington to attend the New Zealand Trotting Conference to-morrow. Mr E. B. Newton, chairman of the Ashburton County Racing Club, left Ashburton last evening for Wellington to represent the club at the New Zealand Racing Conference. A motion of sympathy with Mr G. S Hardy, of Rakaia, a member of the Hospital Board, in his illness, was passed at the meeting of the board yesterday, and it was decided to write to Mr Hardy, wishing him a speedy recovery. Heart Failure. A verdict that Christina Elizabeth Ivey, aged 40, wife of Mr George Ivey, of Anama, died of heart failure caused by fatty degeneration of the heart, while being conveyed to the Ashburton Hospital on June 29, was given by the district coroner (Mr R. Clark) at the adjourned inquest into her death. _ Medical evidence was given by Dr. ; W. R. Ryburn. Hospital Board. At the monthly meeting of the Hospital Board held yesterday there were present Messrs W. G. Gallagher (chairman). W. Bryant, F. Frampton, C. A. Campion, R. Oakley, and W. H. Wilkinson. The report of Dr. H. S. Billcliff, medical superintendent, stated that there were 65 patients in hospital at the end of May. During June 97 were admitted and 95 were discharged. The number of outpatient treatments totalled 412, while there were 69 X-ray examinations, 207 massage treatments, and 32 surgical operations. The report of the matron (Miss E. J. Watt) stated that Nurses McFarlane and Cripps were on annual leave. Nurses Wilson and Mee would go on holiday to-day. The report from the Malvern Home stated that 15 patients were admitted and the same number discharged last month, leaving seven in the institution. A total of 31 ante-natal cases had been seen. Nurse Williams had finished her maternity training and Nurse Simon had commenced training. The hospital committee's report stated that Mr Frampton had been appointed chairman of the committee for a further term. The scheme for a hut for itinerant men had been carried into effect. The committee desired to express appreciation of the work of Mr W. Hopwood in looking after the hut and giving out small parcels or supplies to indigent men. The clergymen and social workers had been recommended to direct itinerant men to the hut for accommodation. The Canterbury Forzen Meat Company, Ltd., had made a donation of the net cost of purchasing, killing, and freezing the sheep recently bought for relief purposes, to the board, the donation amounting to £46. After faithful service for eight years Miss G. Soal had resigned from the office staff in view of her approaching marriage. It was recommended that she be granted salary on leave until September 7. Mr W. Bryant said that the unemployed men should take advantage of the board's scheme to send men to Central Otago on gold-mining work. There were excellent prospects for toe men. The board was endeavouring to assist the men to obtain the equipment, including a tent, which they would require. The chairman said that the results at Central Otago had justified the board in sending men to take up gold-mining work. Mr Bryant, the board's representative on the Waipiata sanatorium committee, asked what would be the

board's attitude if the Wallace Hospital Board withdrew from the sanatorium scheme. He said that Ashburton now had more than £15,000 capital in the sanatorium. Members favoured the continuation of the board's association with the sanatorium, out it was decided to make enquiries concerning the board's added iinancial responsibility before making a final decision. A financial statement for the quarter ended June 30 prepared by the treasurer (Mr A. Prentice), showed that the fees recovered were £Bl9 19s lid more than the estimates. The Ashburton hospital was running along the lines which were estimated. The accounts showed a decrease o£ £53 Cs compared with last year. The occupied beds had been 61, compared wtih 50.4 last year. Outdoor relief was £3O lis 7d more than the estimate. Heavy Rain. Ninety-eight points of rain were registered at the Domain weather station at 9 a.m. yesterday. Heavy falls of snow were experienced in the back country. Hospital Staffing. Correspondence relative to the medical stalling of the Ashburton Public Hospital, owing to the resignation of Dr. H. S. Billcliff (medical superintendent), which was dealt with in committee at the last meeting of the Hospital Board, was released for publication yesterday. Both letters were from the Director-General of Health (Dr. M. H. Watt), who addressed the correspondence to the chairman of the board (Mr W. G. Gallagher). In the letter dated May 24, the Di-rector-General said he had noted the account of the circumstances which led to Dr. Billcliffs resignation. In his opinion the board had done all that could be reasonably expected in an attempt to retain Dr. Billcliff's services, and in his opinion had no option but to accept the resignation. In expressing that opinion he would say that he had the highest regard for Dr. Billcliff's professional abilities and personal qualities, and had always considered him as one of the most competent of the medical superintendents of their New Zealand hospitals. "You state that Dr. Wells and yourself have been placed in the posiflon of being the cause of Dr. Billcliff's resignation, and ask that I should come to Ashburton to adjudicate in the matter," wrote Dr. Watt. "I am prepared to visit Ashburton at any time with a view to assisting the board and yourself in the administration of the board's affairs, but I doubt the wisdom of reopening this particular matter. So far as I can see nothing can be gained by reopening the case, as Dr. Billcliff has made it clear that he does not wish to retain the post of medical superintendent." It was on the question of medical staffing that the department could probably be most helpful to the board, and if the board would like to confer with Dr. Shore or himself, he would be glad to arrange for one, or both, to visit Ashburton. In a further letter, dated June 8, the Director-General stated that the department favoured the appointment of a visiting staff and also favoured the payment of an honorarium to such staff. The proposals, therefore, submitted by the board, in a large degree coincided with the department's views, in that the staff proposed would be selected from local practitioners, with the exception of the house surgeon. He submitted the following modifications of the board's suggestions with reference to the appointments:—(l) A part-time medical superintendent at a salary of £3OO a year, with free house and right of private practice; (2) a surgeon at an honorarium of £2OO a year; (3) an assistant surgeon at 'an honorarium of £ 100 a year; i (4) a physician at £2OO a year, to be responsible for the medical treatment 1 of all cases; (5) an assistant physician at £IOO a year; (6) an anaesthetist at £IOO a year; (7) one house surgeon at £2OO to £250 a year. The total cost would be about £I2OO to £1250 or about £IOO more than the proposals submitted. The medical superintendent would be the chief administrative officer. Rugby Union. The management committee of the Ashburton Rugby Union met last evening, Mr J. C. C. McLachlan presiding. The North Otago Rugby Union wrote asking the Ashburton Union to consider playing the annual representative fixture at Oamaru on September 2. It waa decided to fulfil the engagement. The Springburn Club wrote asking if the third grade match between Rakaia and Springburn could be played at Springburn on Saturday. It was decided that if the clubs could mutually agree, the request would be granted. The Ashburton Sports Association wrote stating that the union's application for closed days on the domain oval on July 29 and August 26 had been granted. The assessment would be £2 2s a day. The Ashburton County Schools' Sports Association wrote asking for a grant of £5 from the amount recently allocated for the encouragement of school football by the New Zealand Union, stating that it would be used for the purchase of representative jerseys in readiness for the visit of South Canterbury teams on August 3. The letter was held over for two weeks. W. L. Wills wrote applying for reinstatement from senior to junior grade on the grounds that recent injuries made him unfit for senior football. It was reported that the application was too late in the season to be considered. E. Samuels, captain of the Old Boys' third grade team, appeared before the union to explain why N. Moore had played in his team against Rakaia on June 24. under the name of Hefford. He said the team's list was handed to the referee before the players took the field, and when Hefford did not appear, Moore replaced him. Several members said it was the general opinion that the Rakaia Club, which made the complaint, Included a senior player in its team the same day. The explanation of Samuels was accepted, and the seriousness of the breach of the rules was pointed out to him. ~ __ , It was decided to entertain the Marlborough senior representative team at a ball when it visited Ashburton next month. „..,,' *,_ . The draw for Saturdays matches is as follows: Senior—Possibles v. Probables, at Methven (Mr R. Featherston). Junior— Country Possibles v. Probables, at Methven (Mr J. McMillan). Junior Grade, town section—Lowcliffe v. Old Boys, at Lowcliffe (Mr T. Beckett); Rakaia v. Technical Old Boys, at Show Grounds (Mr C. Day); Hinds a bye. , , „ Third Grade—Technical Old Boys v. Methven, at Methven (Mr W. John); Tinwald v. High School, at Show Grounds (Mr E. S. Chambers); Rakaia v Springburn, at Show Grounds (Mr p Morrison); Allenton v. Old Boys, at Show Grounds (Mr F. Kennedy)., Fourth Grade—Allenton v. High School, at Show Grounds. (Mr J. Lewis); Technical v. Hampstead, at Show Grounds (Mr S. Alexander). Borough Council. The fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr w H Woods), Crs. J. Thompson, W. i H' Rundle. F. J. E. Smallbone, E. Buchanan hj! R. C. McElrea, W. H. Rob- | inson, E. Orr, F. Z. D. Ferriman, and | Dr J. Connor. The financial statement showed that the receipts since last meeting amounted to £519 14s 9d. T Transport Department writing in reply to previous correspondence with regard to traffic control and vehicle infpectors, stated that there was ™ much in common between the denartoent's inspector and the local borough inspector regarding transport matters (both being ofTcials under the S2?> that it would be advisable for fhiL to aet into touch with each other occasions either by personal calls to the mW The°Ashburton branch of the Women's \ ™ Xf the Farmers' Union apD , »)? for permission to erect a stall on ESstreeWW sale of produce on AU P g e U rmii ß ion was granted.

The borough inspector reported that 35 motor-drivers' licenses had been issued since last meeting, making a total to date of 615. The finance committee reported having gone carefully into the question of rewidening Eton street and from enquiries made considered that the total cost would not be less than £2ao, and'asked the council for instructions as to whether the committee should go to the expense of searching titles and ascertaining if mortgagees would consent to widening. It was decided that no further action be taken until the land owners consented to give the land without compensation. , , . The finance committee recommended that 11 unlet sections be let as Glasgow leases at upset rentals varying from £4 to £7. Two are situated m Kermode street, two in Mona square, two in East street, one in Aitkeri street and four in the North-East Belt. The recommendation was adopted. The assistant entomologist at the Cawthron Institute wrote stating that he would forward a consignment or parasites (Habrolepis dalmanni) m November for the purpose of controlling oak scale. It would be necessary to advise him of the number of trees affected in order to avoid wast-j age by sending an over-supply. The insects would be sent free of cost. Mr James Young, formerly curator of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens/ intimated that he was forwarding a coffi on of acorns, and he would also look round for specimen plants The abattoir report showed that.l 29 mttll 4 calves; 790 sheep, (two condemned), 112' lambs. and 70 pigs had been slaughtered during last m The h 'Ashburton Men's Hockey Association was granted a closed day on the Domain oval next Saturday It was decided to advise the re-cently-formed croquet club that grounds were available in the Domain between Peter street and ball grounds, but that application was to be made through the Ashburton Sports Association. Cr. McElrea suggested that m view of the Unemployment Board t. new building scheme, the finance committee should take up with the authorities the erection of a new courthouse which, he said, was urgently needed. He moved accordingly, but the motion lapsed for want of a seconder. Rugby on the Domain. After a trial of about 12 years at the Show Grounds, where the attendances at matches have fallen off during the last year or two, the Ashburton Rugby Union is making a move to return to the grounds on the Ashburton Domain for competition matches. At the meeting of the borough council last ev«ning it was decided to advise the union that the grounds it required on the Domain were available and that application should be made through the Ashburton Sports Association. Silver Band. The annual meeting of the Ashburton Silver Band was held last evening, the conductor, Mr H. J. T. Osborne, presiding. It was reported that there was a credit of £4O 18s Id in the current account, and a credit of £97 6s 7d in the building account. The following officers were elected: Conductor. Mr H. J. T. Osborne; bandmaster, Mr S. Teale; drum-major, Mr W. R. Tucker; secretary, Mr E. R. Hopwood; treasurer, Mr J. Wylie; sergeant, Mr C. Frew; corporal, Mr E. Withell; lance-corporal, Mr L. Porter; librarians, Messrs G. Kelly and A. Miller; custedian, Mr T. Miller; committee, Mes.;rs T. Miller and R. Clemens, together with officers; Connolly Shield trustees, Messrs P. Choak, M. S. Turton, and H. J. T. Osborne. The committee was recommended to go into the question of a new bandroom. A motion of sympathy was passed with Bandsman K. Cowen in his illness. WINCHMORE. At the Winchmore homestead on Saturday afternoon a friendly football match was played between a combined Winchmore-Greenstreet team and an Ashburton Old Boys' junior team. The game ended in a win for the home team by 6 points to 4. A try was scored by A. Morris and a penalty goal was kicked by A. Moodie. MacDougall potted a goal for Old Boys. Mr N. Milsom was the referee. Afterwards the visitors were entertained at tea in the hall. The fortnightly social and dance was held in the hall on Saturday night, when a euchre match was played against Lyndhurst. The latter won by 336 points to 334. The prizes were won by Mr 3 M. Macale and Mr P. Morrison, and Mrs M. Dwyer and Mr A. Moodie. Music for the dancing was supplied by Miss Jean Shearer and Mr Jock Shearer. Extras were played by Mr and Mrs J. Shearer. RUAPUNA. There was a good attendance at the fortnightly social in aid of the hall funds. Competitions were won by Mrs D. Sewell and Mr F. Allan. Music was provided by Miss Allan, extras being played by Mrs D. Sewell and Miss Gwen Ross. Mr Linden Moorffe was master of ceremonies. Heavy rain fell during the greater part of Sunday, 143 points being | registered.