CHANGE OF LOCATION?

Evening Star, Issue 25716, 13 February 1946, Page 9

CHANGE OF LOCATION?

LIMB-FITTING CENTRE R.S.A. CONCERNED A clarification of the Otago Hospital Board's attitude over the location of the limb-fitting centre for war and civilian amputees is to be sought by the Executive Committee of the Dunedin Returned Services Association, which set up a deputation at its fortnightly meeting last night to wait on the board to ascertain whether it has definitely agreed not to fall in with the proposal of the Director-General of Health (Dr M. H. Watt) for the board to accept a grant for the establishment of the limb-fitting centre at the Hospital. The board decided not to accept the grant at its monthly meeting a fortnight ago. Present at the meeting of the executive were Messrs H. P. Jefcoate, S. P. Cameron, M. S. Myers, D. Forsyth, C. G. Hedge, W. R. Brown, A. J. H. Jeavons, W. G. Nicolson, C. R. McLean, W. E. Earnshaw, W. R. Porter, and Norman G. Stewart. HOSPITAL LOGICAL SITE. The 1 ocation of the limb-fitting centre had previously .received very careful consideration, said Mr Earnshaw (chairman of the R.S.A.'s Pensions Committee), and after a full investigation the executive of the U.S.A. had decided that the Public Hospital in its opinion was the best site for such a centre, 'which had to be set up ; to provide for the needs of both war and civilian amputees. After a full discussion with the Minister of Haalth, it had been decided to' establish .the centre at the Hospital. The executive was still of the opinion that this should be done, and not delayed unduly as figures showed that there were already some 168 war amputees in this district, besides about 200 civilian amputees. " Steps should he taken to ascertain if the report of the discussion at the meeting of the Otago Hospital Board was v to be taken as meaning that the borad did not want the limb-fitting centre at the Hospital, or whether it was that they were not satisfied that the proposal now made by the Government was adequate to meet the need," said Mr Earnshaw. "If the board is not prepared to have the centre at the Hospital we will take the matter up with the Prime Minister, the Ministers concerned, and the board itself in order that the decision arrived at some time ago would be given effect to." The president and Mr Earnshaw were appointed the deputation, which is'also to include the president of the Otago branch of the War Amputees' Association (Mr C. E. H. Wilson). LEGACY FOR ASSOCIATION. The chairman of the Finance Committee (Mr Forsyth) informed the executive that the association had been left a legacy of about £370 under the will of the late Mr H. H. France. The money would be made available for the benefit of returned servicemen or their dependants. NEW MEMBERS. Included in the latest batch of nominations for membership were the names of 226 returned men from World War 11, five from World War I, one from the South African war, and one honorary application.