DIRECTOR OF SURGERY

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28314, 27 June 1957, Page 10

DIRECTOR OF SURGERY

Mr L. A. Bennett’s Work Praised

On his retirement as director of surgery, Mr L. A. Bennett was yesterday appointed to the honorary consulting staff of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. Mr Bennett, who will continue in private practice, was thanked for his services. He had morning tea with board members and attended briefly a meeting of the board when a resolution of appreciation was adopted. Mr P. S. Foster (chairman of the hospital committee) said he had known Mr Bennett since he began work in the Christchurch Hospital about 40 years ago. He had done a tremendous amount of work in various ways, chiefly surgical, for the hospital and had given extremely good service. Members could not know of the hours of work entailed by being on the staff. He could assure them that the hours were long and the work at times very heavy. Past and present building committees were very grateful to Mr Bennett for his work in an advisory capacity, said Mr T. M. Ayres. Mr Bennett had given sound advice on the building of the Cashmere Hospital. His services had always been given very willingly and his advice had been respected.

As the first employee to be honoured by being invited to a board meeting, he knew the function cemented a very happy relationship, replied Mr Bennett. He was aged only 20 when he came to the Christchurch Hospital as a junior house surgeon. Except for overseas service, he had grown up with the board. Throughout his surgical life, he had looked up to the consultants, because he knew they did good work and he appreciated being appointed to the honorary consulting staff. As long as he continued to live in Christchurch, his services would always be available to the board in any capacity in which it might call upon him.