WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1939, Page 11

WESTPORT NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent! High Tides, Port of Westport: Thursday, 22 —1.25 a.m.; 1.51 p.m. Friday, 23—2.16 a.m.; 2.43 p.m. Saturday, 24—3.9 a.m.; 3.41 p.m. Sunday, 25—4.16 a.m.; 4.50 p.m. Shipping: WESTPORT, June 21. The Kiwitea has been delayed by bad weather conditions, but may. possibly be despatched for Auckland today. The Karetu, coal-laden for Wellington, may be despatched to-day. She is to return about Thursday next to again load for Wellington. The Korowai is expected about Monday to load coal for Napier. The Poolta is due here about Tuesday, to load coal for Bluff, Dunedin, Timaru, Oamaru and Lyttelton. The Titoki is expected to be despatched for Wanganui to-day, with coal, and is to return about the weekend to load for Nelson and Tarakohe. The Alexander is expected from Nelson to load coal for return to Nelson. St. Canice’s Card Party:

The card party and dance held at. St. Canice’s Hall was largely attended. The Golden Coast Orchestra provided excellent music, and Mr McCormack was an efficient M.C. The lucky ticket was won by Mrs Enright. The card room was well patronised and the entertainment was thoroughly enjoyed.

Buller L.R.C.: . The meeting of the Executive of the Buller L.R.C. was held in Ihe Labour Rooms Westport, last week-end. Present: Mr J. M. Fairbairn, (chairman), Mrs N. Pearson, Mrs I. Ryan, Messrs W. H. Woodcock, H. J. Adams, I. Tavlor, H. Stephen, R. Cox, H. Caldwell, W. P. Jackson (Secretary). A visitor was Mr S. R. Johnston (Hector).’

The minutes of the previous executive meeting were approved, after which before proceeding with the agenda the chairman asked all present to stand as a mark of respect to the late Mr E. J. Howard, and a motion of sympathy with the relatives was carried unanimously.

Correspondence: —Outward was approved, and it was decided to take the inward seriatum. A letter re. Federated Women’s Institute representations was approved. Correspondence relating to the Holland Memorial Committee was dealt with and it was decided that a full report of the activities of the committee be tabled at the next full L.R.C. meeting. The Executive approved of branches and affiliations procuring and arranging for distribution of Social Crusade pamphlets, where thought necessary. The meeting empowered the President Vice-President and Secretary to sign the National Peace Council of Now Zealand petition on behalf of the Buller L.R.C., which will later be presented to the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M J. Savage, P.C.) A lengthy discussion took place with regard to the campaign for Labour dailies and it was agreed to urge upon all branches and affiliations to convass their members to subscribe at least £1 per member. The Executive also made a recommendation to the next full L.R.C. with regard to this matter. The Secretary was instructed to write and congratulate Mr MacFarlane on his election to the . House 07 Representatives. Various accounts were passed tor payment and a discussion took place as regards the next meeting date. It was decided to call a full L.R.C. meeting for September next, the secretary to notify all' organisations in ciue time.

Trawler “M.nhoe": The Nelson auxiliary trawler, Mahoe,” Captain Anderson and two deck hands, encountered heavy seas and was unable to make back to port at Nelson or to reach Westhaven. Dragging an anchor astern to keep her stern to the sea, the vessel came on down the coast and under difficulties? managed to enter the Buller River, with a heavy sea on the bar at the time, about 4 p.m. yesterday.

Personal: . .. Mr Pat Kelly, who has been visiting relatives at Granity, left to-day by ’plane on return to Wellington. Mr C. M. Smith, Chief Inspector in the Forestry Department, who has been visiting Westport, has left for Wellington. Mr P. Condon has returned from a holiday visit to Wellington. Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., of Greymouth, arrived yesterday to conduct the fortnightly sitting of the Westport Magistrate’s Court. • Mrs Ferris Dale, of the North Island is visiting relatives in Westport. Mr and Mrs V. McHerron have left or» return to Greymouth, after visiting relatives at Westport. Mrs J. Jones and daughter of Christchurch, are visiting relatives at Westport. Mr W. P. Caldwell was last evening elected Deputy-Chairman of the Buller Hospital Board, in succession to the late Mr E. R. Fox, on the motion of Mr J. Niven, seconded by Mr J. Dowgray. Mr Caldwell has been a member of the Hospital Board for the past 20 years, and at times has held the position of Chairman and DeputyChairman. Members spoke appreciatively of the long and valued services of Mr Caldwell, and the motion was carried unanimously.

A House Surgeon: The need for the appointment of a House Surgeon at the Buller Hospital was emphasised by Mr W.. R. Simpson, at the monthly meeting of the Buller Hospital Board last evening. After discussion, it was decided that the question be referred to the Secretary, Mr G. M. Powell, the Chairman, the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre, and the Medical Superintendent, Dr. P. L. Foote, to report back to the next meeting of the Board. Mr Simpson, in opening his remarks, stated that ever since he had been a patient in the hospital, he had seen the necessity of a house surgeon. He had introduced the question at a previous meeting of the Board, but it had been considered at that meeting, that the time was not opportune for an appointment. The Medical Superintendent had also been of the opinion that the services of a, resident house surgeon were not urgently required. However, he was now in accord with the proposal, and believed that a house surgeon was a necessity. Mr Simpson formally moved that applications be called for the position at a salary of £350 per annum. It was considered that the applicants should at least have had two years’ experience. A house surgeon would be a boon to the hospital, to the Superintendent, the Matron, and principally, to the' patients. There would be a saving also, to the Board if the appointment was made. Last year, there had been 360 anaesthetics

administered, at;a fee" of H-Is each,, anil Dr. I. D. Thomson was paid £l5O a year as assistant superintendent Dr’ Thomson 'was finding his practice increasing. Mr Simpson said that he felt sure that the Buller Hospital .was the only hospital in New Zealand not served by a resident house ' surge,on. At Greymouth, three doctors were employed on full time. Visiting doctors had marvelled that it’ had been possible to carry on in Westport with no resident doctor. Mr Dowgray, who seconded "the motion, and later allowed the matter to be held over, pending more information, stated that he agreed with the motion. A house surgeon would be of the utmost importance to the hospital. However, at the present time, it was vague what would be the outcome of the Social Security scheme. It may be found later, when the full benefits are operating, that the Medical Superintendent! position would be altered. Appointing a house surgeon at the present time would be a little premature. Mr Niven suggested, that first of all, Dr. Foote should be offered the Superintendent’s position at full-time rates. If the work was found to be too great, it was time enough then to contemplate appointing a house surgeon. Mrs Bird, in accord with the proposal, said that a resident doctor would be a drawback. Mr J. Ward said that under the present conditions, he was fully in accord with the scheme. However, when the full Social Security scheme became operative, there may be changes. Until the Board was conversant, fully and conclusively, with the workings of the scheme, it would be well to ponder on the idea. The chairman, the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre, was of the opinion that the time had arrived when the question should be investigated. The position of the Superintendent, and the medical benefits of the Social Security scheme was not yet known, but at least 85 per cent, of the people in this district, belonged to some Medical Association or Friendly Society, so the present position would not be greatly altered. He suggested that the scheme be referred to the Secretary and the Superintendent arid himself, to report back to the next meeting. Undoubtedly, the appointment would be a great relief at the hospital, and from a financial point of view, the appointment would be justified. The approval of the Department was also necessary before applications were called. Mr Simpson', as mover of the motion, in view of the opinion expressed, altered his motion to the effect stated above. Tribute to Late Member:

At the monthly meeting of the Buller Hospital Board, last evening, the Chairman, the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre, before the commencement of business, made moving reference to the great work of the late Mr E. R. Fox, as Deputy-Chairman, and to the loss sustained to the Board and the Buller district by his death. All members of the Board stood in silence, after the carrying of a motion that the Secretary write to the family, expressing the heartfelt condolence of the Board in their sad bereavement. The Chairman stated the late Mr Fox had been a member of the Board for a great number of years, and his death would mean a great loss. During his (the Chairman’s) many absences from the Board owing to his Parliamentary duties, Mr Fox had more than carried out the work as. Deputy-Chairman; The Town Committee of the Board had often been left a good deal of work, and Mr Fox had been unfailing in his sense of duty. He had a complete knowledge of hospital matters, and his death would be felt all over the Buller district. All other members spoke in support of the Chairman and paid tributes to the memory of their late fellow member.