DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28050, 18 August 1956, Page 12

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

LINCOLN FAVOURED AS STATION

DECISION OF VETERINARY CLUBS’ CONFERENCE The best way to introuU-. diagnostic services for veterinarians in the South Island would be through several small stations, rather than me large one similar to those at Wallaceville and Rukuhia. said Dr. J. W. McLean, associate professor and head of the veterinary department at Canterburv Agricultural College. Lincoln, at the conference of South ’land veterinary clubs in Christchurch yesterday. Any oue station establish d in the South Island would be of benefit primarily to veterinarians in that area, he said. A station established at Invercargill, for instance, would be of no more use to Canterburv than the Wallaceville station was at present. “We must ask for two—they need not be large —if we are to nrovide a raoid service for veterinarians on a local basis. And because they need only be small, the -i not cost much,” he said. The college at Lincoln was admirably situated for a station in this district, and premises for a station were almost completed, said Dr. McLean. The college council had gone ahead on a “half-promise” from the Government. and 1500 *'-uare feet had been set aside in the veterinary department’s building for the provision of the necessary facilities. “We at Lincoln are not concerned in the slightest whether any such station is administered by the college, or by the Department of Agriculture.” Dr McLean said. Mr W L. C. Purdie. a veterinarian of Nelson, said that small stations nn the British system woulu be admirabb suited to New Zealand conditions, and provided they were situated near an airport, would give the best service to veterinarians.

Mr A Linton, chairman oi the council. warned the conference: “If you ask for two or three small stations in the South Island, we would have simi-

lar requests from the North Islands The Dairy Board would hesitate if it was asked to find the money for a whole chain of stations.” Mr Purdie: Let us keep it in mind that one station is only a start. Mr Linton: By all means. Dr. McLean told the conference that, because of the establishment of Rukuhia so close to an airport. Wallaceville was “on the way out." It was too far from Wellington to be as suitable. If only one station was to be set up in the meantime it should be sited on the understanding that two or more others were to be established. The conference approved unanimously a motion that it “strongly requests the establishment of a diagnostic station in the South Island on similar lines to those established by the Government in the North Island." After some discussion as to whether Lincoln should be mentioned as a favoured site, the conference approved the following motion, moved by Mr L. S. Carpenter ‘Rangiora): ‘That a South Island station should be established at Lincoln College.” These two remits will be sent direct to the Minister of Agriculture <Mr K. J. Holyoake). with a covering letter from Dr. McLecn. explaining the work which is nearing completion at Lincoln.