NEWS OF TEE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 90, 26 October 1928, Page 8

NEWS OF TEE DAY

Christmas Gifts for Hospital. It has become a custom in all hospitals to have an entertainment for patients at Christmas time; this usually takes the form of a Christmas tree (specially for the children), brightly decorated wards, and a short concert. The Wellington Hospital Board yesterday gave authority to the lady superintendent to procure gifts for the patients. End of College Year. It was decided at yesterday's meeting of the Board of Governors of the Wellington Colleges that as the colleges will by then have moi'o than fulfilled their obligation to be open 380 half days in the year, the school year shall end on 14th December. The headmasters will be asked to come to some arrangement by which the breaking-up functions will not clash. 111-usage of Freak Animals. "The ill-usage of freak animals, horses, monkeys, dogs, and other beasts and birds that are transported from one side-show to another for exhibition and performance at shows and carnivals has received the attention of our inspector, and in consequence the poor attraction they have received from the public has practically closed down that .class of so-called entertainment," says, the annual report of the Wellington Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Privacy for Patients. Medical authorities strongly favour the provision of privacy for all patients, and the abolition of big wards. In the wards' of the new block of the Wellington Hospital 'glass partitions havo been incorporated; these give a considerable measure of privacy., The Medical Superintendent (Dr. 11. B. Ewen), in a report to the Hospital Board, recommends the extension of the glass partition system to the old wards. In his letter he says: "I consider that an endeavour should bo made to break up this relic of medievalism. In the many hospitals in America and Great Britain screens of various types havo been designed with this object in view." The medical superintendent's rocomiiiendation will be considered at an early meeting of the board. Improving Trade. The report of tho Advisory Board to the New Zealand Employers' Federation, presented to the annual meeting yesterday, referred to the improvement in tho balance of export values over imports, which for tho year ended 31st July, 1928, amounted to £12,129,812. "The factors which brought about this remarkable recovery of our financial position." it continues, "were a season of wonderful production due partly to climatic conditions, but largely contributed to by the: improved farming methods and use of fertilisers, improved prices for wool, and economy in importing. Unfortunately the effect of the two bad years has liot ■ yet been entirely overcome and unemployment throughout tho year just ended has giv end both employers and the Government much concern. Tho situation is now improving, and given another good export season and continued discretion in the matter of imports, normal conditions as to employment should be restored within another year."

Boating on Hutt River. "It is by no means a fantastic idea that in a few years launches and pleasure boats will come right up to the new Hutt bridge," said Mr. Sladden, engineer to the Hutt River Board, commenting upon a remark by the chairman that the bed of the river had deepened wonderfully at its southern end owing to the carrying out of the board's policy during the last ten years. "Unhappy Zoo Life." "The care and accommodation of the birds and beasts confined in cages at the Zoo are matters of very great concern to our society, as we feel that practically all of the animals, owing to miserable housing and surroundings, lead a very unhappy life," states the 35th annual report oi the Wellington Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "Frequent applications have been made to the City Council for something to be done to ameliorate the suffering of the animals, but the question of finance seems to be the great stumbling block to getting anything done for the betterment of their condition." College Teaching Examinations. Mention was made in the .report submitted to tho Wellington College Board of Governors yesterday by Mr. W. A. Armour, headmaster of the Boys' College, of the disorganisation experienced at this time of the year, when members of the teaching-staff were about to attend university examinations, when they were required to assist the pupils whose own examinations were approaching. It was decided to approach the Department with a view to ascertaining whether it would not be possible to come to some arrangement whereby the pupils' and the masters' examinations would not, clash. It was mentioned that the Board of Governors had no intention of preventing the teachers doing their best to improvo their positions.