LAST MUSTER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 76, 1 April 1910, Page 3

LAST MUSTER.

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES. COMPLIMENTARY REFERENCES. The Wellington Hospital Trustees held their last meeting yesterday afternoon. The Hon. C. M. Luke presided. There were also present: — Messrs. J. W. M'Ewen, G. T. London, R. C. Kirk, J. Trevor, J. Danks, and A. Smith. The chairman took the opportunity of reviewing the work of the trustees under the old Act — a very useful Act, ne said, in its day. It had certain weaknesses in the splitting up of the- administration of what were really kindred bodies and institutions. It was astounding, however, that the different administrative bodies had got on with so little friction. In the main the new Bill wiped out the difficulties inevitable in such a divided administration. The new system of election might not prove so attractive as had been anticipated. The appeal to democratic interest had not always been successful in every respect. Whatever the d«fecte of the present system, it was such that none of them could quarrel with it. Really the members of the old boards had represented the democratic feeling of the people of the Dominion. There might be more interest taken in hospital matters than in the past, but the recent election had been disappointing in the extreme. One saving feature was that all future elections would be coincident with municipal and other local elections. He would therefore predict with some feeling of certainty a quickening of public interest. A NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. Among the things needed now, continued the chairman, was a new children's v hospital. The present building had been up nineteen years, and the conditions under which children were treated were not satisfactory. He hoped the ladies of Wellington would take steps to emulate the excellent example set by the ladies of Christchurch, by whose efforts a magnificent sum of £5000 bad been raised tor th* erection of a. new children's waio. CHILDREN'S TEETH. Aga'n another need was a Da [cony for the Alexandra Ward for aged patients, that (bey might have comfortable acccr-s to the fresh air in their declining days. Still another matter wa* the inspection of the teeth of school children. It was cored that better accommodation would be provided for the dental surgeon. It ,vas a matter of vital importance ; as young children lost their teeth frequently through pure lack of care and loresight. Children's ailments should be taken in hand earlier that the community might ; be blessed with ~obust members in future • generations. THE HOSPITAL STAFF. The chairman then paid a tribute to the hospital staff. He referred to Dr. Ewart, who had served as medical superintendent for over twentjr years, a record unsurpassed in the Dominion. The trustees and the people were very fortunate in possessing such a capable successor to Dr. Ewart as th 6 present medical superintendent, Dr. Hardwicke Smith. High praise was given to the matron. Miss Payne, to whom the chairman attributed much of the efficiency of the nursing staff, which, he said, was equal to any in the Dominion. An encomium was paid also to the secretary, Mr. Coyle, who, said the chairman, bad worked exceedingly hard and ably Fdr the promotion of the welfare of the institution. The chairman spoke too of the services of the steward, Mr. Fox, and praised the trustees, »vho had given so much of their time and sacrificed so much energy during so many years in the interests of the sick and suffering. (Applause.) Mr. R. C. Kirk spoke highly of the work done by the chairman, regretting deeply that he could not see his way to accept a seat on the new board. The speaker referred also to the practical imEiovements that had been made in the ospital under Dr. Hardwicke Smith, the reduction in the drug and food bills, and the general economy without sacrifice of efficiency. If the new board was animated by the same devotion that had characterised the present board, it would make the new Act a success. A concluding reference to the services of the chairman was received with hearty applause. Complimentary references were also made by G. T. London, who regretted the loss to the new board of Mr. G. Nash. He did not think the public sufficiently appreciated the work of public men, who served often modestly and unassumingly and capably, out of the public eye. °It was a great pity that men like Mr. Nash should not be* better known as men of capacity, worthy of every support from the public. (Hear, hear.) Messrs. Trevor, Danks,. and M'Ewan rflso expressed their appreciation of the services of the chairman, the trustees, end the staff generally. The trustees adopted the recommendation of the House Committee that the Rev. Dr. Gibb be informed that Mr. Thomas P. Mills is granted permission ie visit the hospital as chaplain, it being assumed that as the result ot such apoointment the Presbyterian ministers who aow visit will do so only for special occasions ; that Nurse Beton's resignation be accepted ; that Messrs. \\ ebb and Frasei, ex-chairmen, be asked to supply photographs to tha board as a lecord.